Cortland, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz fought valiantly against the No. 8 nationally ranked Red Dragons of Cortland Saturday in a re-match of last year's SUNYAC title game.
 
After the No. 21 Hawks tied up the game early in the first half, the top seeded Red Dragons found one last opportunity to capitalize offensively and added the go-ahead goal with just four minutes left in regulation. SUNY New Paltz didn't have enough time to respond and fell, 2-1 with Cortland claiming its second-straight conference championship.
 
The Hawks played a tougher game against the Red Dragons then their regular season matchup when they lost, 5-1 at Cortland Field Complex. Both teams were evenly matched with SUNY New Paltz ultimately out-shooting Cortland, 16-14, including 9-7 in shots on goal.
 
The opening two goals came within the first eight minutes of play. The Red Dragons earned back-to-back corners and finally broke through in the seventh minute with Hanna Corrigan ripping a shot from the right side off an assist from Isabel Adams. SUNY New Paltz didn't allow the lead to last long, however, as it earned a corner of its own after transitioning down the field. Miranda Britton inserted directly to Hannah Ackerman who ripped a laser through traffic into the back of the cage for the equalizer with still seven minutes to go in the period.
 
The game remained at a stalemate for the next 45 minutes with both teams garnering chances inside their circle, as the Red Dragons totaled 11 penalty corners, nine of which came in the final three quarters, while the Hawks tallied seven with six coming in the final 45 minutes.
 
Cortland started the fourth with back-to-back corners but didn't generate a shot on target with the Hawks starting to put the hosts on their heels generating more possession on their offensive half. Britton inserted a corner in the 48th minute to Ackerman but her shot was thwarted, but SUNY New Paltz had another opportunity with a consecutive corner as the Red Dragons had trouble clearing their circle. Britton found Rachel Tama out of the set play, but her attempt on goal went wide left. Each team exchanged shots with Amanda Quenneville getting her attempt on frame with Cortland goalie Emma Morgan making eh stop with nine minutes to go.
 
 
After SUNY New Paltz held off a Red Dragons penalty corner, Britton got a chance on goal the other way, but Morgan was there again to make the stop. The Red Dragons earned a late corner getting the ball down the field with four minutes left in regulation. Jamie Snyder inserted for Cortland finding Corrigan who slipped a shot to Sydney Reinisch. Reinisch fired high over the head of Hawks defenders that found the back of the net, but the goal was in question for a dangerous shot with the ball soaring overhead. SUNY New Paltz argued the call, but the officials kept the go-ahead score despite the high shot with the Red Dragons earning the 2-1 lead.
 
The Hawks continued to fight, earning another corner with three minutes to go. Tama had a look on goal, but her attempt went wide. Ashley McGough had one last attempt with a minute ticking down, but her attempt went just off target with the Red Dragons closing out with the 2-1 win and collecting its third-straight conference title.
 
Tama led the Hawks with six shots, four on goal, followed by Ackerman with four. Quenneville and Britton followed each had two.
 
Gail Comiskey played the full 60 minutes and totaled five saves for SUNY New Paltz. She was also awarded the Elite 20 medal, given to the highest GPA of a conference tournament participant. Ackerman, Morgan Woolley and Sophia Bronzi were each named to the All-Tournament team.
 
The No. 21 ranked Hawks finish the season at 14-6 overall and they await to see if they get in with an at-large bid to the national tournament. The NCAA Division III Field Hockey selection show is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

 
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