Utica, NY -- The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team played a close match against Utica College that threatened overtime, but fell short, 10-9.

The Hawks entered the game with excitement and a hunger for a win. The match was the first between the two teams, but was expected to be a close game. The two shared a few competitors from last season with similar results; SUNY New Paltz and the Pioneers each defeated Potsdam with scores of 10-6 and 14-5, respectively, but suffered loses to Oswego State, 14-5 and 19-7, respectively.

"The energy was good at times, but needs to be better and more consistent," said Hawks coach Keith Detelj. "When we played our tempo we played very well. When we didn't Utica did well to take advantage of that."

The Pioneers began the game aggressively, gaining control of the ball at the start of first period. SUNY New Paltz relied on its defense, which had a solid outing in its season-opener.

Utica scored the first goal of the game during the third minute, but the Hawks responded immediately. After sophomore attacker Amy Hofer drew control of the ball for SUNY New Paltz, sophomore attacker Tara Bovich scored on the Pioneers' goal less than a minute later, the first of the season.

A fight for the ball ensued. Sophomore defender Alexandria Galvez caused multiple turnovers as Utica crept onto the Hawks' goal. The next seven minutes were spent on SUNY New Paltz's defensive side, in which the Pioneers scored three more goals. A ground ball picked up by senior defender Sarah Raynock changed the pace of the game, sending the momentum to the Hawks offense.

Bovich scored her second goal of the game during the 11th minute and after multiple attempts on goal, senior offensive midfielder Rachael Purtell scored her first goal of the season less than a minute after Bovich. Two more goals, scored by senior defensive midfielder Ashley Seiter and sophomore attacker Amy Hofer, evened up the score going into halftime, 5-5.

SUNY New Paltz entered the second period with an increased hunger; freshman attacker Kathleen Zito scored three minutes into the game, followed by another goal by sophomore offensive midfielder Keydy Espinoza. The Hawks and Utica battled for control of the ball until the last second of the game, but the Pioneers came out victorious after scoring five more goals in the second period to SUNY New Paltz's four. The game threatened to go into overtime as Seiter took a final shot on Utica's goal with four minutes left, but was saved by the Pioneers goalkeeper Hali Vandermeulen.

Utica out-shot the Hawks, 23-22, 15 of which were on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Haley Timarky was in goal for the full duration of the game, saving five shots for the Hawks. Raynock led SUNY New Paltz in ground balls, cleaning up four of the 21, followed by Hofer who cleaned up three.

"This game provides more feedback for us to improve and learn and execute better," said Detelj.

The Hawks' next game will be against Manhattan College at home Wed. March 6. For everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.