Box Score Poughkeepsie, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team suffered a 5-1 loss Saturday on the road against No. 8 Vassar College.
 
The Hawks (2-2 overall) was in a 1-1 stalemate for most of the first half with the Brewers (3-0). After getting shutout Wednesday against Montclair State in a 1-0 loss on the North Turf, SUNY New Paltz needed just 60 seconds before finding the back of the cage. Morgan Gunter registered her first goal of the year with Shannon Bernhardt picking up the assist on the play.
 
Vassar didn't take long to answer, however, as Niki Rizzo tied the score about four minutes later. The game remained at ones entering halftime with the Hawks holding the advantage on shots (9-5) and corners (5-1) at the break. However, the Brewers owned the second half of play with 11 shots, including 10 in the fourth quarter to SUNY New Paltz's six in the final 30 minutes. 
 "We need to work on maintaining possession when we do win the ball and our off-ball players need to do the work to get into effective spaces," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski.
 
Heidi Zahnleuter gave Vassar the lead in the third quarter and then added on with three more in the fourth to cement the 5-1 victory.
 
"The last quarter we struggled defensively in our circle," Szablinski said. "During transition we were jumping too quick to the ball and that allowed Vassar players to gain the edge in our defensive circle and many players left unmarked."
 
Jessica Ascencao led the Hawks with five shots, three of which were on goal, followed by Gunter with three, Carly Croteau and Bernhardt with two apiece, while Natasia Plunkett, Courtney Kruzikas and Rachel Beam each added one.
 
Ryan Dowling played all 60 minutes in goal and saw 12 shots, saving six.

SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday when it hosts RPI on the North Turf Field at 4 p.m.

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