Cortland, NY — Unlike the first time the two teams met earlier this season, the State University of New York at New Paltz out-possessed hosting SUNY Cortland in overtime. The Hawks had more shots and earned the first corner of extra time, but the No. 3 seeded Red Dragons, for the ninth time of their 2019 season, earned the game-winning overtime goal, and handed No. 4 SUNY New Paltz a 2-1 loss to end its run at a second-straight conference title.
"We played well today," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinksi. "We had opportunities to take the lead. We just struggled in overtime penetrating into our attacking circle."
Cortland controlled the first quarter and held the ball in SUNY New Paltz's offensive end for the majority of the opening 15 minutes. The Red Dragons took advantage with the game's first goal just five minutes into the period. The play developed after Lily Fox earned a corner for Cortland and then proceeded to find the back of the net following an initial shot by teammate Sara Reardon, which was saved by
Mackenzie Mortimer. Fox was there for the rebound and knocked in the second attempt for the score.
Despite Cortland out-shooting the Hawks 6-3 in the opening minutes, the Hawks held strong defensively following the goal and ultimately capitalized on one of their final chances in the quarter. Following another save by Mortimer,
Courtney Kruzikas led SUNY New Paltz in transition up the field and found
Natasia Plunkett who got into the circle and earned a corner for the Hawks.
Rachel Beam played the ensuing corner in to the Hawks'
Jessica Ascencao who fired an attempt at frame, which was re-directed by Plunkett into the goal.
The second quarter was more evenly matched in possession, but the Red Dragons had the best two opportunities to take the lead. With two minutes to go in the half, Cortland quickly transitioned into SUNY New Paltz's circle and played a ball across the goal. The Hawks got back to defend the pass and a scrum developed in front of the net. The ball slipped into the goal for seemingly the Red Dragons second score, but after deliberation the score was disallowed as the ball hit off a Red Dragon's foot before deflecting into the net.
Shortly after, a bad pass in the back by the Hawks was intercepted by Cortland, forcing Mortimer to come out and make the one-v-one stop. The referees called a penalty on the play, giving the Red Dragons a prime opportunity to take the lead with a stroke. Mortimer had an all-around standout game and it was highlighted by a save on the ensuing stroke attempt by Hannah Burchell. Mortimer stayed composed and got a glove on the shot to preserve the tie.
Plunkett then nearly ended the game with seconds left in the fourth. A great individual effort by by the freshman, weaving her way past defenders into the circle, gave herself a good look on goal. Her shot was headed into the near corner, but Cortland's Marisa D'Amico came up with the foot-save.
With the score still knotted at one the game went into overtime. Extra-time was fairly even in possession and quality chances on goal, but SUNY New Paltz positioned itself for the game-winner just before the first extra time ended.
Carly Croteau earned the first corner of the period with
Jamie Wagner playing in the ensuing pass off the set play.
Shannon Bernhardt took a shot on goal, but D'Amico made the stop. Croteau stuck with the play, gathered the rebound and with her back to goal, found a way to put another shot on net. Similar to Plunkett's shot in the fourth, Croteau's attempt looked headed into the near corner. But, D'Amico came up again with the foot save to keep the score as is and ultimately force another overtime period.
Four minutes into double overtime, the Red Dragons earned their first corner of extra time thanks to Fox, who then played in the ensuing corner to Reardon. Reardon found Burchell before receiving the ball back and firing a shot toward the goal. The attempt deflected off a SUNY New Paltz stick and re-directed into the net to end the game, 2-1 in favor of Cortland.
"It was a game where it could have went either way," said Szablinski. "Cortland executed well for the game-winning goal."
Each team had 12 shots on goal, while the Hawks had five in overtime to just one for the Red Dragons. Cortland held the slight advantage in corners, 11-9. Mortimer finished with 10 saves, while D'Amico totaled 11 stops. Croteau led SUNY New Paltz with five shots, followed by Plunkett with four.
The loss ends the Hawks' season, as they finish 2019 with an overall record of 10-8. The Red Dragons move on to play the winner of No. 4 SUNY Oneonta and No. 1 SUNY Geneseo in the championship game Saturday.
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