New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz hosted Utica for their season opener on the North Turf Thursday. The Hawks initially were scheduled to play the Pioneers on Feb. 25, but was postponed due to inclement weather. 
 
After trailing by five goals after the first 15 minutes, SUNY New Paltz's defense held strong to limit Utica to just two goals in the final three quarters but couldn't generate enough offense to climb out of the deficit and fell, 7-4. 
 
The Hawks held up their own, overpowering Utica with 37 ground balls against their 24. Cayci Hill had herself six ground balls, Alyssa Indelicato had five, with Camryn Ryder and Kaitlyn Shaw both having four ground balls. 
 
The Hawks (0-1 overall) had a slow start in the beginning of the game, trailing 5-0 in the first quarter, but stayed composed and gritty defensively to gain momentum in the second period. 
 
With 10:29 left in the first half, SUNY New Paltz took advantage of an illegal check leading to a man-up situation. Freshman Lexi Atwater used her shifty footwork to put the Hawks on the board and tally her first career goal on the season on a quick crease roll stinger. Utica was able to answer back with an eight-meter free position to leave SUNY New Paltz down 6-1 at half.   
At the start of the second half, the Pioneers' Alyssa Drell found the back of the cage early to put the Pioneers ahead, 7-1. However, in a matter of minutes, SUNY New Paltz freshman Julia Longo made her first collegiate appearance and registered her first goal off an eight-meter free position to trim the deficit to five. 
 
Longo's score sparked a fire within the Hawks, as they kept Utica scoreless for the remainder of the game. Almost exactly five minutes later, Longo ripped another goal in the eight for SUNY New Paltz coming off a Pioneer turnover at the restraining line, cutting the score 7-3 and leading to a Utica timeout in an attempt to cut the momentum. 
 
The Hawks held the Pioneers to seven for the remainder of the quarter, withstanding their defensive presence as the fourth quarter approached and the score still standing at 7-3. 
 
SUNY New Paltz dominated offensively in the fourth, out-shooting Utica 7-3, and was able to silence the Pioneers for the rest of the game. The final quarter was very back and forth, with SUNY New Paltz not letting Utica create a larger deficit. With time winding down, tensions built as the Hawks' fire did not extinguish. 
 
SUNY New Paltz sophomore Alyssa Indelicato struck on her first goal of the season — and 19th of her Hawks career — with the help from Emily Monroe. The gap stood at three goals, with the Hawks moving closer with time winding down to catch up to the Pioneers. With the score staying stagnant for the remainder of the quarter, though, the Hawks fell just short of pulling out the victory.
 
Longo had herself two goals for the day along with three ground balls, with Atwater and Indelicato both having a goal for themselves. Atwater had two ground balls and Indelicato had five ground balls. Gabriella Tommaso played a full 60 minutes in the net and had a save for the game. 
 
SUNY New Paltz will hit the road to Oneonta Saturday, facing the Hartwick Hawks at 3 p.m.

Post-Game Highlights


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