New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling in overtime to the University of Rochester, 4-3.
 
A competitive game throughout, the Hawks (4-1 overall) struck first in the fifth minute of the game after Natasia Plunkett deflected a pass from Amanda Quenneville for her fifth goal of the season.
 
Mara Heppard tied the score with four minutes left in the quarter, knocking in the rebound off an initial save by SUNY New Paltz goalie Davin Testo. But in an electric first quarter, the Hawks re-upped their lead as Shannon Bernhardt capitalized on a corner opportunity in the 12th minute with Hannah Ackerman registering the assist on the play.
 
Neither team added on in the second quarter, but the third period proved pivotal in the game. Earning back-to-back penalty corners midway through the quarter, the Hawks narrowly cushioned their lead to two on an attempt by Julia Cummings, but instead was awarded a penalty stroke for another prime opportunity to add on. Sam Moran stepped in to take the attempt, but Yellowjackets goalie Kara Houston made a nice stick save high to preserve the 2-1 score.
 
After holding off a man-down situation, SUNY New Paltz conceded a goal with five minutes to go in the quarter with Maeve Fogarty tying up the game at 2-2 for Rochester.  
The Yellowjackets took their first lead of the game late in the fourth, as Anya Arseneau knocked in the go-ahead goal after a barrage of shots in front of goal following a penalty corner. The lead didn't last long, however, as Quenneville scored a highlight goal to tie the game at three.
 
On a re-start, Ackerman received a pass just outside the 25 with a Rochester defender slipping and falling allowing her to dribble inside the circle. She then played a ball in that was hit down by Houston stick side, but Quenneville was there to clean up in a scrum in front of goal for her second of the year with only five minutes left in regulation.
 
In overtime, SUNY New Paltz garnered two corners within the first three minutes and totaled four shots but couldn't find the back of the cage. One of which by Quennville was hit high, deflecting off a defenders stick and was an inch away from crossing the goal line, but the Yellowjackets were there, along with Houston to clear away from danger. In turn, Rochester transitioned the other way and found the stick of Fogarty in the circle who turned and hit a shot that was deflected by the stick of Testo but the ball still found the far top corner for the game-winner.
 
Quenneville led the Hawks offensively with a goal and an assist, along with three shots. Rachel Tama had a team-high six shots, five on target, while Ackerman had three shots and finished with two assists on the day. Testo registered six saves.
 
SUNY New Paltz enter SUNYAC play in its next outing, hosting Oswego State Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. on North Turf Field.

Hawks vs. Rochester Highlights


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