New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz dropped a tough 2-0 decision against visiting Cortland Wednesday on South Turf Field.
 
Similar to their matchup against Geneseo Saturday, the Hawks had opportunities in the box but couldn't put one away and in turn, the Red Dragons rode momentum off a highlight first half goal to earn the 2-0 victory.
 
"I think overall our attack just needs to be more dynamic," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg. "We can't rely on just trying to beat a top tier team like this with 30-yard shots, only creating one corner kick. It just has to be a higher tempo going into our final third and committing more numbers, being more dynamic, being more patient so that we can create gaps so that it's sound chances instead of half chances. All around, beyond our attack, I felt like individually we fought today and that's all you can ask for."
 
The first half had each team recording seven shots with Hawks goalkeeper Maddie Franklin tested early, as the sophomore made a ridiculous reaction save in the opening minute off a corner by Cortland. Cam Stone headed the service coming in and through traffic, Franklin made the one-handed stop at point-blank range to keep the score at zeros.
 
In the 14th minute, SUNY New Paltz had an opportunity to take the lead on a well-played ball down the flank to Ally Donovan. Donovan cut the ball back on the six and ripped a shot that was blocked, which then rolled to the foot of Rachel Eisert that was heading toward the far corner, but a Red Dragon defender deflected enough to revert the shot past the net for a corner. The threat continued on the ensuing set piece as Emma Voege played a good-looking ball back post to Eisert who ran in and headed a strong attempt at frame but was blocked once more and eventually cleared.
 
Jaden Galluzzo was active all game for Cortland. She buzzed around the box throughout the match and nearly gave her team the lead with 16 minutes left on a cross by Julia DeTurris but the linesman's flag was up to signal offside. Shortly after, the Red Dragons won the ball back with Galluzzo maneuvering through the box and ripping an attempt through two defenders, but Franklin did well to track the ball and made the collapse diving save. She eventually capitalized for Cortland in the final 90 seconds of the first half. The Hawks had an opportunity to clear a loose ball atop the box, but DeTurris once again won the 50-50, resulting in a combination play that found Galluzzo who created enough space to strike a screamer to the upper 90 of frame, no chance for Franklin, for the go-ahead score.  
The Red Dragons continued to press and earned back-to-back free kicks about 10 yards from their box, forcing Franklin to make a pair of saves including a diving stop on a free kick by Simone Neivel that went through the wall and headed toward the bottom corner of goal before Franklin got a touch to re-direct for the corner. Cortland earned a corner two minutes later and Galluzzo came through once more as she bent her attempt toward the back post out of reach from Franklin and with no one on the pipe to clear the ball, as it bounced off the post and into the net for the score.
 
"Certainly, the first goal was a first-class finish, but we had an opportunity to clear the ball at the top of 18, which we didn't so that's what we'll review on film. You give opportunities like a team like this they're going to bury their chances," Eckberg said. "The second goal was just a complete mental breakdown. We can't allow a ball back post like that off the post. I really don't think we really had an urgency to go to goal until about 12 minutes left."
 
Cortland held momentum from then on with the Hawks unable to sustain an attack until the final 10 minutes of the match. Their best opportunity started on a won tackle by Maggie Cameron on the outside who carried until playing the ball down the line to Brooke Kelleher. Kelleher laced a well-placed cross at the top of the six to Addison Weiner who was inches away from getting a touch that would have likely beaten Red Dragons keeper Kristen Spendal (four saves), but instead the ball dribbled out of play for the goal kick.
 
Parris Burke earned a free kick just outside the box near the corner kick spot after getting taken down on a loose ball down the flank. Alexis DeLeo played in the ensuing set piece into the six with Jess Funke coming up to get a head on the ball. Cortland failed to clear, allowing SUNY New Paltz a second-chance opportunity but the Hawks couldn't get the ball in and the result was an attempt that went well wide of goal.
 
Cortland out-shot the Hawks, 14-9 in the game and 8-4 in shots on goal with SUNY New Paltz generating one corner to the Red Dragons four.
 
In 90 minutes, Franklin totaled six saves with Eisert leading the team offensively with six shots, two on goal. Along with Franklin, backs DeLeo, Cameron and Hannah Wellinger, who made her first career start for injured All-SUNYAC senior center back Katie Buquicchio, all played the full 90 minutes of action.
 
"We've had an opportunity to see some really top-end opponents and we have to understand as a group that there needs to be another level in us," Eckberg said. "We have to not only understand that, but work towards it and expect it individually so we can get three points on Saturday."
 
The Hawks are back in action Saturday when they hit the road to face the College at Brockport at 1 p.m.

Hawks vs. Cortland Highlights


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