Box Score

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – A day after opening up State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play with a 2-0 victory over SUNY Oswego, the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team suffered a 3-0 SUNYAC loss to SUNY Cortland on Saturday afternoon at the Old Turf Field in a rematch of the past two SUNYAC Championship games.

Despite receiving a few scoring opportunities, New Paltz was held in check due strong play by Cortland's midfielders and backs, who limited the Hawks to just eight shots and five penalty corners. Cortland finished with a 14-8 cushion in shots and a narrow 6-5 margin in penalty corners.

New Paltz falls to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in the SUNYAC with the loss. The Hawks have a pair of road SUNYAC games next weekend, taking on The College at Brockport on Friday, Oct. 3, at 4 p.m. before challenging SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. Cortland rises to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the SUNYAC. The Red Dragons visit Nazareth College next on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m.

The Red Dragons got on the board in the 24th minute, as sophomore forward Shelby Underwood buried a rebound into the back of the cage that came off a shot by sophomore forward Gabby Stein. Just 1:22 before halftime, Cortland made it a 2-0 game, as Underwood cashed in on a feed from junior midfielder/back Breanna Couture.

After a few decent offensive looks for the Hawks in the early goings of the second half, Cortland earned three consecutive penalty corners midway through the period, and the Red Dragons finally converted on the third one, as Underwood inserted the ball, junior midfielder Jillian Vogl stopped it at the top of the circle and sophomore forward Alexa Sanzone found the back of the cage.

Underwood had a hand in all three Red Dragon goals, finishing the afternoon with two goals and an assist. Junior forward/midfielder Dani Ackerman (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) helped key the Hawk attack with three shots, two of which were on goal.

Junior goalkeeper Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) shouldered the loss for New Paltz, making eight stops, while her counterpart, sophomore goalkeeper Mairead Hourihan, turned aside three shots.