Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – A goal in each half propelled the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team to a 2-0 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC)-opening win over SUNY Oswego on Friday afternoon at the Old Turf Field.

The 2-0 score did not fully reflect the manner in which the Hawks dominated the game. New Paltz finished with a 26-3 edge in shots and a 21-2 margin in penalty corners. Oswego stayed within striking distance thanks to the strong play of freshman goalkeeper Sarita Charap, who made 11 stops in the loss.

New Paltz rises to 5-3 overall and 1-0 in SUNYAC play. The Hawks host SUNY Cortland tomorrow at 1 p.m. to close out their three-game home stand. Oswego drops to 2-5 overall (0-2 SUNYAC) and visits SUNY Oneonta tomorrow for a 1 p.m. contest.

After numerous scoring chances early, the Hawks finally cashed in during the 24th minute, as sophomore forward Erin Landy (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) redirected a feed from sophomore forward Kayla McKeveny (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) into the back of the cage to give New Paltz a 1-0 lead. That 1-0 score stood up for the remainder of the half, with the Lakers holding on despite being outshot, 17-1, in the opening period.

Just 5:46 into the second half, New Paltz made it a 2-0 game, as freshman forward Justine O'Reilly (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) converted on a McKeveny pass. Oswego did force junior goalkeeper Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) to make a stop in the 58th minute, but the Lakers were unable to get a shot off from that point forward to break up the shutout.

Wageman picked up the win and finished with two saves, while freshman goalkeeper Megan Gangewere (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth Area) saw her first collegiate minutes—playing the final 9:41 of the contest—and did not face a shot.

A bright spot for Oswego, freshman midfielder Monica Harvey unleashed two shots on goal coming off the bench.