Oneonta, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz took home a 3-1 non-conference win over hosting Hartwick College Tuesday night.
 
The two Hawks programs were evenly matched throughout the game with each garnering 15 shots, 10 of which were on goal with SUNY New Paltz holding the slight edge in penalty corners, 9-8.
 
Coming off a dominating result over SUNYAC foe Morrisville State Saturday, 11-0, the Hawks took their momentum on the road against Hartwick and grabbed the opening lead Tuesday. After a scoreless first quarter, SUNY New Paltz scored early in the second period. Julia Cummings drew the penalty corner for the Hawks with Miranda Britton playing in the corner to Hannah Ackerman who fed Shannon Bernhardt. The grad student from Massapequa, NY ripped a shot through traffic to give her team the 1-0 lead with 13 minutes still to play in the period.
 
"I think the Morrisville game allowed us to gain a powerful forward momentum leading into this game against Hartwick," Bernhardt said. "We attacked the cage and took more shots and overall, our energy all over the field and on the sideline was amazing and had a huge impact on the outcome of this game."
 
 
SUNY New Paltz scored its second goal 10 minutes later, transitioning the ball down field allowing Bernhardt to earn another corner for her team. Cummings played in the ensuing corner to Ackerman who took a touch around a defender to her left and reverse chipped a shot into the back of the net beating Hartwick keeper Maddison Maddock far corner for the highlight goal.
 
The Hawks lead was cut in half on a controversial call in the final seconds of the first half. Hartwick earned a corner in the final minute, but was seemingly stopped by SUNY New Paltz with a whistle by the official ending the half. Both teams had walked to the sideline before the official brought players back onto the field signaling for another corner with seconds eight seconds remaining on the clock for Hartwick. The hosting Hawks took advantage of the second opportunity and scoring on a high shot top corner to trim the score, 2-1.
SUNY New Paltz didn't let the last second goal deter its second half and came out the third quarter strong. The visiting Hawks out-shot the hosts, 8-1 in the third along with totaling three corners in the 15 minutes, one of which resulted in another goal by Ackerman.
 
The scoring opportunity started on the defensive end, with Morgan Woolley getting out to make a tackle forcing the turnover. The Hawks quickly transitioned down field and on their ensuing offensive possession earned a corner on a ball played into the circle by Natasia Plunkett hitting the foot of a Hartwick defender.
 
Cummings once again played in the ensuing corner to Ackerman who found Bernhardt. Bernhardt ripped another shot at Maddocks who made the initial save, but Ackerman was there for the rebound to put away her second of the day, giving her team the 3-1 advantage.
 
Hartwick had more chances in their offensive 50 in the final quarter thanks to a pair of green cards handed to SUNY New Paltz. The Hawks limited the damage and held Hartwick without a clean look on cage with Davin Testo coming up big in net.

Hartwick's best opportunity to trim the deficit came in the final 90 seconds of the game off a penalty corner. Leah Tolley narrowly put away her second goal of the game, but Sam Moran was there on the far post to get her stick in front of the shot for the defensive save and keep her team's 3-1 lead to close out the game.
 
"What allowed us to maintain composure when we were two down was our constant communication and intensity on defense. Our backs and our keeper were organizing the whole field and that allowed us to play with confidence and get the ball out of our defending zone," Bernhardt said. ""I think this was the perfect outcome to send us into our next SUNYAC game on Saturday."
 
Ackerman led the team offensively with two goals and an assist on a team-leading five shots. Bernhardt followed with five shots and a goal. Testo earned the win after totaling eight saves on the night.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back on the road Saturday with a big rivalry matchup against SUNY Cortland. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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