Morrisville, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz nearly overcame a seven-goal deficit to get within three late in the final period, but the rally wasn't enough to come away with the win as the Hawks dropped to 0-4 after the 14-9 loss to Morrisville State Wednesday. 
 
James Flanagan and John Reese gave the Hawks a two-goal lead early in the first, but the Mustangs rattled off three-straight before Reese put away his second of the game eight minutes into the period. Morrisville ended the half with three unanswered goals in the final seven minutes to earn a 6-3 lead at the break and had a dominating start to the quarter. The Mustangs ballooned their advantage to seven with just more than five minutes left in the period, holding a 10-3 advantage.
 
Following a slashing penalty on Morrisville, SUNY New Paltz put an end to the run with a man-up goal by Reese, assisted by Ethan Scully. However, the difference was quickly pushed back to seven after the Mustangs scored immediately after winning the ensuing faceoff.
 
Reese helped ignite the Hawks rally, scoring with 12 seconds left in the third, forcing a turnover on a clear attempt by Morrisville with Reese picking up the ground ball and firing a shot into the back of the net to trim the score down to 11-5 entering the fourth. 
Matt Brignati won the opening faceoff, which led to an Anthony Senecal goal just 15 seconds in. Reese added on two minutes later, as Joseph Bradbury got a fast break started, picking up a ground ball off a save from Ryan Steinhart, clearing to SUNY New Paltz's offensive zone and finding Reese for the goal. Brignati won another faceoff and Flanagan capitalized, getting his team within there with still 11:40 left.
 
With the Hawks holding all the momentum, Morrisville called a timeout with about 10 minutes to go and regrouped to hold SUNY New Paltz scoreless for the next nine minutes, while adding insurance goals with three minutes left and another in the final two minutes. Elias Elcock registered his first score of the season, but with 30 seconds remaining, the Hawks were left without enough time to complete the comeback.
 
Reese led the way with five goals and an assist. Brignati finished with a team-leading eight ground balls, while long pole Tim Russell finished with three caused turnovers and four ground balls. Nate Lindsey got the start and made 11 saves, while Steinhart played the final 30 minutes and finished with 13 saves.
 
The Hawks are back in action Saturday at Farmingdale State at 1 p.m.

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