New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz suffered its first loss in conference play of the season Saturday, falling to visiting SUNY Geneseo, 1-0.
 
The game was scoreless for nearly 85 minutes before the Knights broke through with five minutes to go in the game on a through ball played behind by Ashleigh Scheidweiler to Lindsay Wright for the game-winner.
 
The Hawks opened up the first half strong and possessed inside the Geneseo's defensive side for the first 20 minutes of the game but couldn't come up with anything too dangerous on frame. The Knights, meanwhile, earned quality chances and tested Hawks keeper Maddie Franklin throughout the half.
 
Franklin was forced to make an impressive stop just four minutes into the game, as the Geneseo's Mckinley Skala won a 50-50 in the midfield and found Wright, who cut the ball back to her left and sent a shot headed toward the far corner, but Franklin timed her jump well and parried the ball out of play for the save.
 
The Knights did well playing balls through throughout the half, but Franklin came off her line to corral the balls in the box. In the 14th minute Nicole Bell got through and met the ball at the edge of the six, but Franklin cut off the angle and forced the attempt wide. Franklin then got a piece of another 1-v-1, this time on a shot by Wright two minutes later.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz came out hot to start the second half as the hosts put pressure on Geneseo's back line in the first five minutes. Maggie Cameron sent a ball across that created a scrum in front of goal with the Hawks then earning a corner. Emma Voege played the ball in, which was cleared out to Alexis DeLeo who took a one-timer that sailed high.
 
Lindsey Clar nearly broke the stalemate for the Knights in the 58th minute, as her shallow cross almost got behind Franklin, but the sophomore tracked back and got her hand on enough of the ball to avoid the back of the net, as it hit the crossbar before they cleared.  
Best chance for SUNY New Paltz was created by Rachel Eisert, who was the catalyst up top for the Hawks. The sophomore maneuvered through four defenders before getting taken down to earn a free kick for her team about 35 yards out. DeLeo took the attempt and put the ball on frame, which was inches away from finding the inside corner of goal.
 
SUNY Geneseo continued pressing and put the ball in the back of the net in the 85th minute, as a ball played through by Scheidweiler found Wright as she ran onto the pass creating a 1-v-1 with Franklin, beating the sophomore for the score.
 
The Knights registered more total shots (13-9) and shots on target (7-2) than SUNY New Paltz. Geneseo also earned more corner kick opportunities with seven, compared to three for the Hawks.
 
Eisert was the best play-maker on the field for SUNY New Paltz, as she recorded a team-high three shots in 63 minutes played. DeLeo followed with two in 90 minutes played. Franklin finished with five saves.
 
The Hawks are back on South Turf Wednesday for another big matchup, hosting SUNY Cortland at 4 p.m. The Red Dragons currently sit second in the conference with 13 points, tied with Geneseo, just behind SUNY New Paltz with 15.

Hawks vs. Geneseo Highlights


***********************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.