NEW PALTZ, NY -- In soccer, a high number of chances does not always correlate to a high number of goals scored. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity. Buffalo State junior forward Erin Valente got that one opportunity, and she buried it. Game over. The Bengals defeated host SUNY New Paltz in overtime 1-0 on Saturday despite being out-shot 16-6.

"There were a couple moments in the run of play that we didn't convert our opportunities," Hawks coach Mike Eckberg said. "Those are moments where the details matter. It's important that we realize when we don't convert our opportunities, it only takes one opportunity for any opponent." 

After the loss, SUNY New Paltz dropped to 3-6-1 overall and 0-2 in the SUNYAC. Buffalo State advance to 5-5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SUNYAC. 

"I was pleased with our ability to possess in every third of the field today," Eckberg said. "I thought we did especially well in our midfield, combining with one another and being very composed."

Valente's winner came in the 98th minute when she broke free up the left flank. With just Hawks keeper Megan Tornatore to beat, the junior ripped a shot that ricocheted off the far post before crossing the goal line to end the game.

"It was disappointing to see how it unfolded," Eckberg said of the goal. "Everyone makes mistakes, and that was a mistake that we want to learn from and forget. We have to move forward." 

Before Valente's goal, SUNY New Paltz had a number of chances. However, it was unable to convert any of them. The first opportunity came in the 11th minute when senior Alex Wild broke free inside the 18. She got a shot off her left foot, but it went right to the hands of Bengals keeper Taylor Carillo. 
 

Seventeen minutes later, Hawks freshman Katie Buquicchio found some space in the box. As Carillo came charging off her line, Buquicchio fired a shot that missed just wide.

In the 44th minute, SUNY New Paltz got fouled just outside the 18, leading to a free kick. Sophomore Danielle Angyal took the shot, but it sailed over the crossbar, and the game went into halftime scoreless. 

The Hawks picked up right where they left off, threatening again early in the second half. In the 50th minute, Buquicchio picked off a pass and took two touches to her right before sending a missile from 25 yards out. Carillo fully extended, but she couldn't get her fingertips on it. Luckily for her and the Bengals, the ball smashed into the post, keeping the Hawks off the scoreboard. 

After five more shots that came up empty in the final 32 minutes of regulation, SUNY New Paltz was heading to overtime for the second time this season. Just like in regulation, the opportunities were there for the Hawks.

SUNY New Paltz took three corner kicks and two shots in the extra period, but again, they were not converted. It was after the Hawks' third corner kick that Valente made her run and ultimately ended the game. 

The Hawks will look to bounce back Saturday on the South Turf Field at 1 p.m. when they take on Fredonia State. 

"When we wake up tomorrow, it's important to know that no emotion from today can be carried into tomorrow," Eckberg said. "This league is not forgiving on any level, and teams will be punished if they are unable to reset."

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