Box Score Oneonta, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team competed in a tight match against Hartwick College Saturday, most of which was spent in a goal-for-goal struggle and dribbled into overtime, resulting in an exciting overtime win against the opposing Hawks, 9-8.
 
The Hawks entered the game hungry for a win after losing an extremely close match to Utica, 10-9, at their season opener the week before. The week between the loss and the Hartwick game allowed the Hawks ample time to improve upon their skills, especially feeding and tempo, as well as maintaining their ability to keep a fast paced game and score goals. The Hawks also placed a focus on entering the game with a positive mindset, recognizing that success comes from working as a unit, and remembering the success they had seen against Hartwick in the previous season, as they dominated Hartwick in 2018, 15-9, and expected to see the same result Saturday.
 
It was clear from the get-go that the game would be exciting. Hartwick drew control of the ball from the initial start, but the Hawks were quick to steal it; sophomore Haley Timarky cleared a ground ball from inside goal, which was passed to senior offensive midfielder Rachael Purtell who brought it all the way up the field before turning it over to sophomore attack Tara Bovich for the first goal of the game just four minutes in. Hartwick quickly retaliated by scoring a goal of their own, which set the goal-for-goal tone of the period; for each goal the Hawks scored, one by Hartwick quickly followed. A flip of the script was made 15 minutes into the game when Hartwick made two consecutive goals, but the Hawks quickly brought back their lead, going up, 5-4 into halftime.
 
The Hawks entered the second half with an increased fire; Bovich scored her fifth goal of the game just 45 seconds into the period, breaking the goal-for-goal streak. Hofer continued to aid the Hawks in their lead, securing another point to bring the score to 7-4. It became increasingly obvious that SUNY New Paltz intimidated their competition, as Hartwick was allowed two shots after a yellow card was called on Hofer during the 38th minute, but fumbled both, shooting first too high and then too wide. It took until the last quarter of the game for Hartwick to gain back their bearings, which they did with enough success to even the score at eight, dragging the game into overtime.
 
"We were not finishing out our plays with conviction," SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Detelj said. "In the second half we brought more of a commitment back to the little things."
 
The threat of overtime did not thwart the Hawks' focus. Senior attack Taylor Russell scored her first goal of the season 45 seconds into the third period, securing the win the Hawks were so eager to lock down. The end score was tighter than SUNY New Paltz anticipated, but it was the result that they sought. 

"With overtime being sudden death, we knew our first possession was going to be key and we  had a clutch play from our draw group Keydy, Rachael and Meg [Tornatore] that gave us an opportunity we needed," said Detelj. "With some outstanding poise from a freshman Katie Zito and a veteran move by Taylor Russell we capitalized when it counted."
 
Although the game was close throughout, SUNY New Paltz was clearly the Hawks who were hungrier for a win. SUNY New Paltz made many more attempts on goal, out-shooting Hartwick, 40-27. Nine players of 15 players on the roster registered at least one shot with Bovich leading the way. The sophomore had an exceptional performance in which she scored five of the Hawks nine goals and was responsible for 13 shots on goal.

SUNY New Paltz looks forward to securing another win Monday in their first home game of the season against Stockton University on the North Turf Field at 4 p.m.

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