Ithaca, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team used a three-goal first-half cushion to hold off hosting Ithaca College Tuesday and collect its fourth straight win following the 3-0 victory.
 
The Hawks (10-2) and Bombers (10-3) were originally scheduled for a 4 p.m. start, but the game was pushed back an hour in need of officials for the game. The extra warmup time didn't hinder SUNY New Paltz's start, however, as it dominated the first half of action.
 
With possession being held on the Hawks' offensive end for the majority of the opening 30 minutes, the visitors took advantage early. Earning the first penalty corner of the game, Julia Cummings played in the ensuing set play to Jessica Ascencao at the top of the circle who hit the ball toward goal, finding the stick of Natasia Plunkett. Plunkett assisted teammate Morgan Woolley who found the back of the goal for the game's first score midway through the first quarter. 
SUNY New Paltz kept the pressure on and managed to earn another corner with seconds winding down in the first period. Cummings again played up top to Ascencao and similar to the opening goal, put the ball in front of the cage for Plunkett and the junior did the rest, tallying her first of the day and pushing her team up, 2-0 to start the second quarter.
 
The Bombers made a goalie switch to start the following period, as Alex Clough replaced Macy Brandwein, but the Hawks still found a way to add on. They earned back-to-back corners in the 17th minute, but Hannah Ackerman's shot was blocked, while Ascencao's attempt on the following penalty corner was saved by Clough. Plunkett came up big for her team once again, though, putting away her second of the day and the first in the run of play to extend the cushion, 3-0 with about five minutes remaining in the half.
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot Ithaca 5-4 in the opening two quarters and earned four corners to the Bombers one in that span, but the momentum swung in the second half and the Hawks played on their heels from the very start of the halftime whistle.
 
"We came out on fire the first quarter, possessed the ball well and executed our corners," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski. "Taking the lead was critical, but Ithaca really turned it on. We struggled possessing the third quarter and turned the ball over repeatedly and Ithaca took advantage in our defensive circle. We got lucky on several occasions and defensively we held strong not letting in a goal."
 
Ithaca finished with 13 shots in the game and eight came in the second half, including seven in the third quarter alone, while six of their seven penalty corners were earned in the second half, including four in the third. They held possession on the Hawks' defensive side of the field for most of the second half, but SUNY New Paltz's defense held firm with goalie Ryan Dowling also coming up with five saves to preserve the shutout.
 
Less than a minute into the second half, Samantha Horwotiz got inside the circle for Ithaca and fired a shot that went just wide of frame. The Bombers then won just their second corner of the night three minutes later, with Dowling coming up with the stop. SUNY New Paltz had difficulty clearing its zone, leading to three consecutive penalty corners for Ithaca, which resulted in five shots for the Bombers, two of which were high and outside of goal, respectively, another was blocked, and Dowling came up with a pair of saves to continue preserving the shutout.
 
The Hawks defense held strong in the fourth and stalled Ithaca's offense to just one shot and thwarted two more corners to keep anything dangerous away from goal. Ithaca was handed just its third loss of the season, while SUNY New Paltz reached the 10-win mark for the third-straight year.
 
"Defensively we were holding them off, however in transition we lacked discipline and we became our own problem," Szablinski said. "We did end up with the W but I am not satisfied with the lack of control and poise we showed under pressure. Having an early lead really was key but moving forward we have to be consistent throughout."
 
The Hawks are back in action Friday when they travel to Morrisville where they'll look to secure their fourth conference win of the season. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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