Box Score Hoboken, NJ — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team, backed by its freshman goalkeeper Ryan Dowling, secured a 1-0 win on the road against Stevens Institute of Technology (9-5 overall) Tuesday.
 
Dowling recorded a season-high 17 saves in the victory, as she and the Hawks' (9-5) defense kept a 1-0 lead through 50 minutes remaining against the Ducks, who came into the match winning six of their last seven games. 
 
"Ryan was poised and did a good job of controlling the back field," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski. "We were very fortunate to have a strong performance from Ryan and she kept us alive in the second half."
 
Carly Croteau scored the game's only goal, which stemmed off a Samantha Ackerman corner 20 minutes into the game. Serena Capsello put the initial shot on goal, but Croteau was there to clean up the rebound and net the go-ahead score.
 
Prior to the Croteau goal, the Ducks created heavy pressure on the Hawks' defense and forced Dowling to come up with six saves within the first 15 minutes, which included a huge stop on a penalty stroke taken by Stevens' Samantha Hessels.
 
The first half was equal in opportunities, as the Ducks held the slight advantage in shots (8-7), while the Hawks earned more corners (3-2).
However, the home team dominated the final 35 minutes. Stevens out-shot the SUNY New Paltz, 23-4, while earning 17 corners to just three for the Hawks.
 
But, Dowling and SUNY New Paltz's defense held strong and withstood the pressure. The Ducks had a final opportunity with seconds ticking down in the game. They had earned a penalty corner, which Skylar Migliaccio played out to Michaela Thompson who got a shot off that was deflected in to the goal, but was called back as it hit off a Stevens player to keep the 1-0 lead for the Hawks.
 
After setting a career-high with 15 saves in the Hawks' previous game against Geneseo, Dowling surpassed that mark Tuesday with 17 stops. Ackerman got in on the action, making two defensive saves for SUNY New Paltz.
 
The Hawks are back in action Saturday to conclude regular season State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play against rival and current first-place team, SUNY Oneonta at 1 p.m.

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