Oneonta, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz men's lacrosse team went on the road and visited the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons Friday for its third SUNYAC game of the season.
 
The Hawks (0-4 overall, 0-3 SUNYAC) came off a tough loss against SUNY Potsdam Monday where they hung with the Bears through three quarters, before the hosts went on a run toward the end of the third and into the fourth quarter to defeat the second-year program by seven.
 
SUNY New Paltz had a lackluster start against Oneonta (3-0, 3-0) Friday, as the Red Dragons took a 6-0 lead with a minute left in the opening quarter. Freshman John Reese broke up the run to get the Hawks on the board, but Oneonta netted one more as time expired to re-gain their six-goal cushion.
 
The Hawks adjusted though in the next three quarters and added pressure forced the Red Dragons into tough shots. Freshman Ryan Steinhart earned the start in goal for SUNY New Paltz with incumbent Nate Lindsey out for the day. Steinhart in his second start registered 17 saves on 44 shots. 
SUNY New Paltz allowed three goals in the second quarter, but limited the Red Dragons just two goals in the second half.
 
"Defensively we applied more pressure in the second half. By doing so, we gave up shots that our goalie was comfortable with seeing from the perimeter," said Hawks coach Dwayne Stewart. "Steinhart did a great job giving our defense direction. He made a lot of great saves to keep the ball from hitting the back of the net."
 
Reese scored two of three goals for SUNY New Paltz, with sophomore Zach Schmidt scoring the other, while adding an assist in the game.
 
The Hawks had key offensive starters out again Friday, missing 2020's top attackers Ryan Scully and Thomas Armetta. The team hopes their offense will pick up with the two back in the lineup.
 
"We saw improvement working transition. Our defense has been good. The middle of the field has been our Achilles heel [and] we did a much better job there," Stewart said. "Offensively we need to improve. We hope to get some key players back soon to help us out on that side of the ball."
 
SUNY New Paltz has a week until its next game, as it begins a three-game home stand starting with Potsdam April 16 at 4 p.m.

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