Box Score New Paltz, NY --- The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team battled with No. 6 nationally ranked Vassar College Saturday in its regular season finale. The Hawks had a solid day defensive, but couldn't generate enough offense to earn the win and ultimately fell, 2-0.

The game also served as Senior Day for SUNY New Paltz's three senior members: Samantha Ackerman, Maggie Cottrell and Selena Capsello, as the trio were honored prior to the contest. 

The Hawks fought hard against the Brewers, who earned their 14th-straight win and 12th shutout on the season in the victory, while SUNY New Paltz took its second consecutive loss.Despite the defeat, Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski was pleased to see the improvements made from Tuesday's loss against Kean University.

"I thought we did a great job of being organized with transitioning from attack to defense, and really playing tight pressure," Szablinksi said. "We were front-marking their forwards, so we were denying any of the long balls coming up the field. We were staying patient and letting people pick up and channel, so that helped us out a lot. I thought Jessie [Ascencao] being free really worked well doubling with the pressure player, which is something that is a big step from previous game."

In tumultuous conditions Saturday on the North Turf field with high winds, rain and low temperatures, it took until the 11th-minute mark of the first half before either team registered a shot on goal. The Hawks held Vassar College to just four shots within the first 18 minutes of the first half, but the Brewers finally capitalized in the 22nd-minute to go up, 1-0 at the break.

Alyssa More then added an insurance goal five minutes into the second half, scoring off a corner, with Megan Caveny and Cristina Lopez each picking up the assist on the play to extend the lead, 2-0.

Vassar College continued to press offensively, forcing SUNY New Paltz into turnovers within its own defensive half, but the Hawks withstood the pressure and kept the score at 2-0.

"I think defensively we held our own," Szablinski said. "Vassar is an outstanding team and they are just extremely talented all around. There is no weak link on their team and they are very experienced… We struggled transitioning out in the field and I think it just was lack of awareness at times of where we need to be as far as coming back to the ball and being inside the right pockets at the right time. Moving forward that is definitely something we're going to be working on is transitioning from defense to attack, and capitalizing on those opportunities."

The Brewers out-shot SUNY New Paltz, 24-3, in the game with 20 shots on target. Vassar also held the advantage on corners, 12-2. Ryan Dowling played all 70 minutes in the cage for the Hawks and came up with 17 stops.

Transition offense will be an emphasis at practice Monday and Tuesday for SUNY New Paltz, which is preparing for the start of postseason play against SUNY Geneseo.

"That is what we are going to be hammering down Monday and Tuesday, and attacking at speed, having that one-v-one duel mentality," Szablinski said. "And not so much panicking with the ball, but be very comfortable and poised no matter what. I think that is something that we really need to hammer home the next two days."

The Hawks lost to the Knights during the regular season, 2-0, but hold the top seed going into the tournament and are looking for some redemption Wednesday on the North Turf Field. The semifinal matchup is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. 

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