Box Score New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team entered its first home game of the 2018 season with gusto, but was unable to achieve the results it wanted, and suffered a loss to Stockton University, 15-4.
 
The Hawks (1-2 overall) were prepared to elevate their previous 1-1 record to 2-1, and were confident in accomplishing the feat, riding in with an 9-8 victory over Hartwick College Saturday.
 
"I think you have to reset and take this game as a new one, no matter what happened in the previous game," said SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Detelj. "I think it being a home game they were kind of excited and ready to go, and I feel like we didn't show up." 
 
Stockton entered the match with a 3-1 overall record, defeating Arcadia University and Marymount University with wide point differences, 16-6 and 20-12, respectively, and narrowly losing to Albright College, 11-14. The Ospreys defeated the Hawks last year, 12-5, but SUNY New Paltz hoped for an opportunity for redemption, welcoming the competition and the chance to prove itself against the formidable opponent.
 
Stockton was the first to secure a goal, but the Hawks were quick to retaliate. Taylor Russell, the last to score in the previous game for SUNY New Paltz, was the first to score against the Ospreys, slipping the ball into the back of the net after defensive midfielder Megan Tornatore picked up the first ground ball of the game.
 
Stockton regained control of the ball, as the Hawks struggled to prevent the Ospreys from trespassing onto its side. Sophomore offensive midfielder Keydy Espinoza led the team in draw controls, securing four, as well as three ground balls. The defense proved adept at making stops and prolonging the game, but could not stop Stockton from scoring six more consecutive goals.
 
The Hawks celebrated its second goal after senior defensive midfielder Ashley Seiter was awarded a free position. Seiter slung the ball into the back of the net without hesitation the instant the whistle blew, securing an easy point for SUNY New Paltz, and inspiring the team to up the ante. The Hawks held off the Ospreys for the rest of the first period until the final two minutes.
 
"There was a few players that really took it upon themselves to step up, character-wise, through the game and I think they added a bunch of value for themselves in the way I see them and think that's a huge deal," Detelj said.
 
The second period began similar to the first. Stockton scored within the first few moments, but was closely followed by SUNY New Paltz. Espinoza drew control of the ball before passing it off to freshman attacker Kathleen Zito, who was responsible for assisting the Hawks' third goal, scored by sophomore attacker Amy Hofer. The play occurred quickly and swiftly, as fellow offensive players, sophomore attacker Tara Bovich and freshman offensive midfielder Maddy Carullo, held off the Ospreys.

Junior attacker Jennifer O'Leary scored SUNY New Paltz's fourth and final goal, which was her first of the season. After gaining control of the ball, O'Leary charged the net before spinning around the crease and driving her shot into the back of the cage.
 
The Hawks ended the game aggressively, forcing Stockton onto their side. The Ospreys seemed to ease up during the final minutes, but SUNY New Paltz continued fighting despite the score or the timer. Junior attacker Emily Puciloski made one final free position shot during the last minute, but it was ultimately saved by Stockton's goalkeeper and the game ended, 15-4.
 
Haley Timarky made eight saves for the Hawks on the other end, while facing nine free positions in the game.
 
"I hope they put it behind them as a bad performance and step onto the field with a new testament to what they really can play," said Detelj. "And until they prove that those 30 minutes in the first half and those 30 minutes in the second half is all they have to base themselves on, so we're going to go back to saying that we gotta put the best product out there, and you know hopefully they step up for Farmingdale."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action for another home game on the North Turf Field Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Farmingdale State College.

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