New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz opened up its 2022 season Wednesday on the North Turf Field and couldn't overcome a tough second quarter, ultimately falling to visiting Western Connecticut State, 11-3.
 
WestConn dominated possession for most of the game, and out-shot SUNY New Paltz 25-9. Although the visitors had early opportunities in the opening 15 minutes of action, the Hawks defense held up and forced four turnovers in the first period with goalie Haliey Aber making a pair of saves to help contain WestConn to just two goals at the end of the quarter.
 
"I don't think it was a terrible defensive showing. Eleven goals in a game? If we keep the other team under 10 goals than we should win the game and 11 goals is right there," said SUNY New Paltz coach Randy Vite. "The first quarter was awesome defensively. We barely had the ball and they scored three goals on us. I will take that all day. We went into a high-pressure defense in the third quarter, which I kind of threw them into, and it looked really good, so I was really proud of them for that. I think defensively, we can take some major strides there."
 
Following a card handed to WestConn with just more than two minutes to play in the period, the Hawks took advantage on the man-up opportunity with Kaitlyn Shaw scoring her first of the season, assisted by Shannon Brosnan.
 
But after being down by just a goal entering the second quarter, WestConn opened up the game in the following 15 minutes, scoring six to take an 8-1 lead over SUNY New Paltz at the half.
 
 
The Hawks shifted momentum slightly in the third quarter, as they forced WestConn on its heels with the visitors turning the ball over seven times in the period. In turn, SUNY New Paltz took advantage and scored back-to-back goals five minutes into the quarter. Following another yellow card given to WestConn, the Hawks scored their second man-up goal with Alyssa Indelicato feeding Megan Kerr as she rolled the crease, placing her shot to the top right pipe for the score. Brosnan won the ensuing draw and SUNY New Paltz capitalized. This time Kerr was the beneficiary, finding a cutting Katie Zito who netted her first of the year.
 
Shaw won her team a second-straight draw control, which led to Brosnan getting a good look on cage off the offensive possession, but WestConn's Anna Schipf made the stop. The Hawks kept the pressure following the ground ball pickup by WestConn and forced an errant throw to win the ball back. However, they couldn't capitalize with another look on net as they gave possession away once again, which stymied their momentum as the visitors cleared the other way. WestConn added one more before the quarter, scoring off a free position to take a 9-3 lead entering the fourth.
 

GOAALL!! @megkerr4 finds a cutting @ktzito who puts away her first of the year! -- @newpaltzlax cuts WestConn lead 8-3 #NPHawks #NPWLAX pic.twitter.com/EArP7OO277

— New Paltz Hawks (@nphawks) February 23, 2022

 
"Right now we have a tendency to get down on ourselves and I think keeping our head up the whole game and not letting up, because I think we were in that game in the fourth quarter," Vite said. "We could have come back a couple times, so I think keeping our heads up is important."
 
SUNY New Paltz struggled earning possessions in its attack in the final 15 minutes and when it did, only saw one shot on goal. Neither team added on until the final three minutes with WestConn tacking on back-to-back scores to solidify the win. 
"I think we need to make some adjustments on the draw, and we need some more possessions," Vite said. "We need to make the possessions count that we have."
 
Shaw led her team with three shots, all on net, while adding two ground balls and a caused turnover to go along with her first goal of the season. Alex Coyle led the team defensively with three caused turnovers, while Aber finished with six saves.
 
"I think composure and discipline on the attacking end, and confidence with the ball," said Vite on what needs to improve as her team moves forward. "Everyone has the skill. We just need to put it all together. The tools are there we just need to make smart decisions, be patient, be confident, composed and disciplined and value the ball on the attacking end."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Sunday when head to Utica to play the Pioneers for a 1 p.m. game.

Game Highlights vs. West Conn


**********************
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.