Brockport, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team opened up SUNYAC play Friday on the road at The College at Brockport.
 
The Hawks (2-3-1 overall, 0-1 SUNYAC) played well in a tightly contested game within the midfield, but a highlight goal by the hosting Golden Eagles (4-2-1, 1-0) was the difference with SUNY New Paltz falling, 1-0.
 
Going with a 4-4-2 formation and playing a diamond in the midfield, the Hawks limited Brockport's chances offensively and although they conceded seven corners in the game, they defended the set piece well with their lone goal coming in the run of play in the 62nd minute.
 
"I thought it was a very box-to-box game. I thought our backline was sound in transition. I thought they did a great job defensively on set pieces today. Overall, I think our mentality leading into the attack needs to reach the next level to obviously create more," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg. "Playing a different system is not something we want to use as an excuse and just understand on how to adapt to what space and what pockets are available. In the end, happy with how our midfield tried to dictate the tempo of the game, but we were not threatening going into our final third."
 
 
Each team totaled seven shots with the Hawks getting five on target to the Golden Eagles' two, but six of their chances came in the second half for the hosts. Rachel Eisert, who had a solid day defensively in the midfield to stymie the Brockport attack, had a good chance from range, while Siena Diaz-Colon and Cailin Ruoti also got decent looks on frame. The latter led the team with three shots with all three on target.
 
Brockport's lone goal came on a lofted cross by Julia Mascaro who found teammate Kiley Longin at the top of the box. Longin brought the ball down and then fired a shot from range that was perfectly placed into the far corner of net for the game-deciding goal. 
"It was a tremendous goal," said Eckberg, "A 40-yard diagonal weak-side ball that their forward finished in two-touches, side netting, weak side."
 
Following the goal, Ruoti put an attempt on frame, which was saved by the Golden Eagles' Kayla Usborne. Dana Salinas took a chance on goal, but her attempt went wide and the Hawks stalled from there unable to find the equalizer.
 
"There has to be a sense of response and a sense of urgency giving up a goal 20 minutes left in the game and having that confidence and having that ability to be brave and bold to make something different happen," Eckberg said.
 
Kyra Russo finished with one save for SUNY New Paltz, while Usborne tallied five. Emma Voege, Ciara Devlin and Maggie Cameron joined Russo as the only Hawks to play the full 90 minutes.
 
SUNY New Paltz concludes a tough opening SUNYAC weekend when it visits defending conference champions SUNY Geneseo Saturday at 1 p.m.  
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