Box Score New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team battled against a strong St. John Fisher College squad Saturday at the North Turf Field. 

The Hawks (4-2) were inches away of claiming a last minute win from the Cardinals with an attempt by sophomore Carly Croteau hitting off the post. But ultimately, the game headed into overtime with St. John Fisher finding the back of the cage first for the, 5-4, win over SUNY New Paltz.

"I am proud of the effort and their will to continue to fight," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinksi. "We have a lot of talented players with big hearts and I am excited to get back on the field Wednesday to play Skidmore." 

Courtney Kruzikas scored the opening goal for SUNY New Paltz, her first of the year, in the 14th minute, but the Cardinals responded four minutes later with a goal by Bre Socker. 

SUNY New Paltz re-gained the lead about eight minutes before halftime, as Katilyn Gunter worked her way through the circle and put a shot on net. St. John Fisher goalie Ashley Maynard made the initial save on the play, but Serena Capsello was there to clean up in front of the cage and scored her second of the year. 

However, St. John Fisher answered with back-to-back goals midway through the second half. Kelly Bergamo scored in the 47th and 49th minute to give the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 3-2. 

Capsello tied the score at three at the 55-minute mark, firing a shot from the right side for the goal. Alyssa Andres responded three minutes later to re-take control for St. John Fisher. But, the Hawks got back to midfield and continued to work. A minute after Andres' goal, Carly Croteau found Kaitlyn Gunter who beat her defender down the far side and set a beautiful pass back toward the cage where it was met by Sophia Urrutia who knocked the ball into the goal for her third score of the season. 

With the game knotted at four, SUNY New Paltz had ample chances to win the game in regulation. With a little more than four minutes left, Gunter helped earn the Hawks a penalty corner. Unable to capitalize, SUNY New Paltz earned another corner off the set play. Samantha Ackerman passed the ball into freshman Jessica Ascencao who lifted a ball toward the cage. Croteau got a tip off the aired pass and her attempt looked destined for goal, but was just inches away from the go-ahead score, hitting off the post. 

The Hawks earned another penalty corner in the stanza with less than three minutes to go, but could not get a shot attempt off and the game ultimately went into extra time. 

Ascencao and Croteau each had a good look at the golden goal, but Ascnecao's attempt went high, while Maynard was there to make the stop on Croteau's shot. Five minutes, 38 seconds of the overtime period ticked away before Bergamo found Palma for the score to end the game at 5-4, Cardinals. 

"St. John Fisher is a great program," Szablinksi said. "They have speed and are strong on ball. Defensively we struggled slowing them down and denying them the middle of our defensive 25. We scored some beautiful goals, but it wasn't enough to come out on top."

St. John Fisher held the advantage on shots (25-17) and earned two more penalty corner chances (6-4), with the Hawks earning all four set plays in the second half. Ryan Dowling earned the start in goal for SUNY New Paltz and faced 17 shots, making 12 saves in her first loss of the season. 

"Moving forward we will continue to focus on making better decisions defensively all over the field," Szablinski said. "Our team works hard and is extremely motivated to improve each day and I know we will get there."

The Hawks are back in action Wednesday when they go on the road to take on Skidmore College at 4 p.m. To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel,New Paltz Hawks.