Plattsburgh, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz winning streak came to an end Wednesday losing in upset fashion against SUNY Plattsburgh, 12-9. The loss is the first against the Cardinals.
 
"Overall, I think we struggled getting off the bus and showing up for the game," said Hawks coach Randy Vite. "Our effort and intensity was lacking and Plattsburgh took advantage of that."
 
SUNY New Paltz (6-8 overall, 4-4 SUNYAC) took a 7-5 lead at halftime after getting goals from Kaitlyn Shaw, Alyssa Indelicato, Maddie Gillis, Maddy Carullo and Katie Zito. Lindsay Guzzetta was the catalyst for Plattsburgh (5-8, 3-5) as the junior scored three of the team's five first-half goals.
 
The game was ultimately decided in the third quarter, however, as the Cardinals came out energized and scored five unanswered goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
  After scoring less than two minutes into the quarter, Plattsburgh tied the game at seven with 10 minutes to go. The hosts officially took the lead with just more than six minutes left, netting a free position opportunity. The Cardinals added two more before the period's final whistle and held onto a 10-7 advantage entering the fourth before taking their largest lead five minutes in with another score by Guzzetta. 
 
Shaw scored off a free position with six minutes left to cut the deficit to 11-8, but the Hawks couldn't get a stop defensively with Plattsburgh answering two minutes later following a turnover on the offensive end. Gillis capped the scoring with a minute to go in the game to solidify the 12-9 outcome.
 
SUNY New Paltz had the advantage in shots (37-26) and shots on goal (24-18), but came up with just six saves to the Cardinals' 15, while losing the battle on the draw, 15-10.
 
Shaw led her team with three goals, while adding two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Carullo followed with two goals and an assist. Gillis also added two goals and an assist, along with four ground balls, three caused turnovers and a draw control. Shannon Brosnan led the team with four draw controls to go along with two ground balls, two caused turnovers and an assist.
 
The Hawks close out the regular season on the road against SUNY Geneseo Saturday, which already solidified the No. 2 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament. SUNY New Paltz guarantees a spot in the postseason with a win or a loss by Plattsburgh against Oswego Saturday.
 
"From shooting to coming up with 50-50 balls to getting defensive stops, it felt like things just weren't going our way today," Vite added. "We need to regroup and improve our play all over the field if we want a shot at Geneseo."

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