Box Score Geneseo, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team took its first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) loss of the season Saturday, falling on the road, 2-0, to SUNY Geneseo.

After a lackluster defensive performance a day earlier against The College at Brockport where the Hawks (8-5 overall, 4-1 overall) came away with a 4-3 win, their defense stepped up with a solid performance against the Knights. Freshman goalie Ryan Dowling made some tough stops, withstanding 17 shots on target for a career-high 15 saves.

However, SUNY New Paltz couldn't generate enough offense to complement its defensive efforts after registering a season-low two shots on goal.

"We struggled with transitioning to attack out of the backfield," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski. "However we made a positive change organizing defensively and stepping up strong to the ball. Ryan came up with some huge saves, but it was not enough in the long run."

Julia Kim got SUNY Geneseo the opening lead about five minutes prior to the halftime break, scoring off a Jordan Penkitis penalty corner. Gabriella Clare then added the team's second in the 61^st minute.

Jessica Ascencao led SUNY New Paltz with five shots, followed by Kaitlyn Gunter with two. Samantha Ackerman and Morgan Gunter tallied the Hawks' only two shots on the cage.

The Knights out-shot SUNY New Paltz, 24-10, while also holding the advantage in penalty corners, 11-8.

"We fell short with capitalizing in our attacking end and even though we turned away multiple opportunities for Geneseo to score it wasn't good enough," Szablinski added.

The Hawks are back in action Tuesday, traveling to Stevens Institute of Technology to take on the Ducks at 7 p.m. 

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