New Paltz, NY – After battling through 60 minutes against visiting No. 13 Montclair State University Wednesday, the State University of New York at New Paltz couldn't capitalize with a game-equalizing goal. The Hawks (2-1 overall) totaled 14 shots, 11 of which on goal, but ultimately they fell to the Red Hawks, 1-0.

"I think today it was just about executing inside our attacking circle and we just fell short," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski. "I still think we had a lot of opportunities, but we either slowed it down ourselves or didn't take any chances. Entering our 25 we played more passive than more aggressive."

Montclair State (3-0) scored its lone goal late in the first quarter, as Elizabeth Cimilluca was credited for poking her shot past Hawks goalie Ryan Dowling for the game's only score. After allowing the goal and seven shots by the Red Hawks in the opening 15 minutes, Dowling and the SUNY New Paltz defense held tight the rest of the way, allowing just two shots with Dowling finishing with six saves in the contest.
 

Although Montclair held the advantage in the first quarter, the goal re-ignited the Hawks as they out-shot the opposition 12-2 for the remaining 45 minutes, while totaling eight penalty corners in the last three periods as well.

SUNY New Paltz continued to press with time winding down in the fourth and garnered two more good looks in the circle. With about two minutes remaining, freshman Natasia Plunkett played a dangerous ball that sailed across the goal narrowing meeting the stick of freshman Jamie Wagner. However, Wagner couldn't get enough on the pass and her attempt went out of play. Wagner again had one last attempt with less than a minute to go, finding herself on the far side of the goal and lifted a shot toward the back corner, but the Red Hawks' Nicole Andriani made the pad save to preserve the shut out.

Wagner led the team with six shots, followed by sophomore Jessica Ascencao with four, while Morgan Gunter, Carly Croteau, Plunkett and Julia Cummings each added one.

"In the second half we played more aggressive, but it wasn't enough," Szablinski said. "We needed to utilize Jessie [Ascencao] more, coming through and our mids need to start attacking with speed and get into the circle and shooting. We had some good plays, but then we slow it down once we catch momentum and that kind of hurt us."

SUNY New Paltz is back in action Saturday, playing another tough opponent in Vassar College, which was ranked No. 8 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association [NFHCA] preseason coaches poll. Last season, the Hawks lost to the Brewers in a close game, 2-0.

The emphasis at practice Thursday and Friday leading into Saturday's matchup according to Szablinski will be playing more aggressive.

"We're going to preach about taking risks and just playing hockey," Szablinski said. "We have take chances, and we have to take them early on instead of just waiting for someone to score on us and having that sense of urgency. And instill that belief and mindset that we are just as good as these teams who are ranked in the country. We're playing with them if not playing better than them, but we have to be able to execute. The bottom line is that you got to score."

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