New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz's 2023 SUNYAC title hopes came to an end Saturday on South Turf Field, as the No. 4 Hawks fell in a double overtime shootout against No. 5 Oswego State.
 
The two teams were held scoreless through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods, and with the game knotted at 0-0, a best-of-five shootout commenced with SUNY New Paltz missing its opening two attempts. Maddie Franklin made a save on the Lakers first try, but Oswego went on to connect on the following three to take the 3-2 penalty shootout victory.
 
SUNY New Paltz controlled the game, but especially at the end of each half and overtime. The Hawks ultimately tallied 19 shots, six of which on goal, to 10 for the Lakers — only three on frame.
 
Each team hit the post or the cross bar throughout the opening 90 minutes. Oswego's first chance came 10 minutes into the game, as a miss-clearance in the box allowed the Lakers another opportunity on frame from about 15-yards out, which hit the far post and scurried out of play.
 
With 19 minutes left in the half, Rachel Eisert drew a foul just atop of the 18-yard box with Alexis DeLeo stepping up to take the ensuing free kick. DeLeo took a rip toward net, and her attempt needed just one more inch to dip, but instead hit the top of the cross bar and went out of play for a goal kick.
 
The last eight minutes were dominated by the Hawks as Laney Schmitz, Erin Savarese and Kelly Licata subbed on and added an extra spark in the final minutes. The team held possession for the remaining time and helped swing some momentum, as coach Mike Eckberg opted to start the second with the 11 he had end the first.
 
 
SUNY New Paltz spotted a weakness for the Lakers on the outside, as the Hawks continued to work right back Hannah Wellinger down the sideline who kept created chances with balls played back into the box as she stretched to helped offensively. In the 62nd, Wellinger slotted a ball just inside the box for Mia Baldinger who had a look on frame, but her one-timer went high of goal. SUNY New Paltz kept the pressure on, and Parris Burke played Wellinger through again a minute later and sent a cross that narrowly went past the outstretched hand of Lakers keeper Perri Anderson, hitting the cross bar once more.
Burke gave the Hawks good minutes off the bench as well, as she burned Oswego's defense from her outside forward spot, running onto a long ball played to the flag. She won the 50-50, cut back losing her defender, but couldn't get a clean look on net and instead fired a shot well high of frame to end the threat.
 
Like the final minutes of the first half, SUNY New Paltz controlled the last 20 minutes of regulation as well, maintaining the ball inside its offensive half with the Lakers crossing midfield a handful of times in the interim. Despite the advantage in possession, the Hawks struggled garnering anything too dangerous on frame. Eisert worked herself inside the box several times with contact, but the officials let play on. The team ultimately out-shot the opposition, 6-2 in the second half and 12-8 in regulation and held the momentum in the first overtime period as well with four shots, limiting the Lakers without any. Oswego's best chance in extra time came at the start of the second 10-minute overtime period, as it broke through for a 1-v-1 with SUNY New Paltz keeper Maddie Franklin who made the save. The Hawks didn't clear the loose ball, giving the visitors another look, but the attempt went wide of goal.
 
After 110 minutes of play, the two teams went into a best of five shootout period. Oswego switched out Anderson for Haley Muehl. SUNY New Paltz missed its first two attempts with Muehl coming up with a save on the last shot to answer a save from Franklin with Oswego making three to end the Hawks SUNYAC title hopes and pushing the Lakers into the semifinal round.
 
Eisert played 82 minutes and led the team with six shots, two on goal. Franklin (three saves) and graduate student center backs Katie Buquicchio and Jess Funke were the only Hawks to play the full 110 minutes.
 
The season ends for SUNY New Paltz who finish with an 8-5-5 overall record, graduating just their three fifth-year seniors in Buquicchio, Funke and forward Ally Donovan with the trio helping the program to three-straight playoff appearances after none in the last decade previously.

Game Highlights


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