Box Score

UNION, N.J. – Despite holding a 3-1 advantage in the second half, the lead slipped away from the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey squad as the Hawks fell at No. 17 Kean 4-3 on Tuesday evening.

New Paltz (8-5) enjoyed a 3-1 lead in the 43^rd minute of action when junior Justine O'Reilly (West Sayville, NY/Sayville) beat the Cougars' keeper to the right to extend the two-goal lead for the Hawks.

However, Kean (13-0) answered with a goal in the 47^th minute to get within one (3-2) and followed with the equalizer in the 60^th minute, forcing the Hawks to discuss defensive strategy with a timeout.

Unfortunately, two minutes later the undefeated Cougars struck again to hand the Hawks a 4-3 deficit. In the waning minutes, freshman Sophia Urrutia (Westbury, NY/Carle Place) managed to fire off a shot but it was blocked as New Paltz fell in back-to-back games to Top-20 ranked opponents.

Kean opened up the scoring in just the third minute of play at 2:11 but O'Reilly quickly answered back with the tying goal at 2:40, thanks to a quick pass in front from senior forward Erin Landy (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central).

Minutes before halftime, sophomore Serena Capsello (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) shoved in a goal off a helper from O'Reilly to give New Paltz its first lead of the evening, 2-1 as this remained the score at intermission.

Offensively, O'Reilly led the way with five total shots, three being on goal, while racking up five points (2G, 1A). Landy contributed two shots as the Hawks managed 10 total shots against the Cougars, who have now won a program-record 13 consecutive games.

Junior goalkeeper Megan Gangewere (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) faced 24 shots and made 14 saves on the night, her fifth match this season with double-digit saves and second-straight game with at least 12 stops.

The Hawks will look to get back to their winning ways next weekend, hosting SUNYAC foe SUNY Oswego on Friday, Oct. 21 before a showdown with SUNY Cortland on Saturday, Oct. 22.