Cortland, NY — In a battle between the top two seeded teams in the SUNYAC, the State University of New York at New Paltz fell to the Cortland Red Dragons, 14-8. The Hawks now bear a 12-2 overall record and are 5-2 in conference play. 

Morgan Atwater controlled the opening draw but the Red Dragons quickly stopped the Hawks attacking line, and the turnover eventually led to a goal by Cortland on the other end. Less than two minutes later, the Red Dragons scored again, this time off a failed clear by the Hawks. 

Cortland went on to score three consecutive goals in under one minute to put themselves ahead of SUNY New Paltz by five. The following draw control after the last goal went to the Red Dragons, but the Hawks were able to draw a foul between the 30s, giving the offense a man-up opportunity. Mia Baldinger took advantage and found Atwater in the eight, as Atwater put in the first goal for SUNY New Paltz. 

Cortland won the next draw, but quickly turned the ball over to the Hawks, who turned it over again. Francesca Corozzo had a crucial check to put the ball back in SUNY New Paltz's sticks, picked up by Baldinger and pushed to Lexi Atwater up field. Atwater found Ava Padilla downfield, and fed it to the freshman who faked and finished another goal for the Hawks. Cortland netted one more, but Kaitlyn Shaw quickly drew a free-position opportunity, netting the give-me in the final minute of the first. SUNY New Paltz scraped back from a five-point deficit, ending the quarter down three, 6-3. 

The Hawks struck first in the second, as Lexi Atwater quickly found Allison Beattie, who dodged through the middle and hit the top shelf of Cortland's net. The ball was back and forth between the competitors for the next few minutes, but Shaw caused another turnover on the defensive end, which developed into a successful clear for the Hawks. Baldinger again visualized a cutting attacker, this time Lexi Atwater, and found her on the inside for Atwater's first goal of the game. It came at a crucial time, as SUNY New Paltz was within one goal of the Red Dragons. 
Nearly a 10-minute scoring drought ensued until the final minute when Cortland picked up a loose ball on the offensive end, and put it in the back of the cage to give them a two point lead going into the half, 7-5. 

The Red Dragons began the third strong, their eight point of the game scored in the first two minutes of the half. SUNY New Paltz answered quickly, as Baldinger worked around the crease and scored her first of the game, and put the Hawks back within two. 

Cortland quickly responded off the draw circle and netted one less than 30 seconds after Baldinger's goal. The Red Dragons stuck again, this time off the eight on a free-position shot. Cortland controlled the draw again, scoring their third straight goal for their second five-point lead of the game. SUNY New Paltz had to answer, and Morgan Atwater did with her second goal of the game, scored after an unforced Red Dragons turnover. The third quarter concluded with the Hawks down four, 11-7. 

The first goal of the fourth came almost halfway in the quarter, stemming from a Red Dragons man-up opportunity goal following a SUNY New Paltz yellow card. Similar to the previous score, Cortland struck again in a man-up opportunity off a yellow, which gave them their largest lead of the game. Morgan Atwater buried a free position goal with just more than five minutes remaining, but it was too late for the Hawks to rally for a comeback. The final buzzer sounded with a score of 14-8 in the home team's favor. 

Morgan Atwater led the way with three goals and two caused turnovers. Lexi Atwater netted one, dished out two assists, and controlled four draws. Baldinger also sported three points, with one goal and two assists. Shaw tacked on a goal and collected three ground balls. Tommaso finished with seven saves, many of which were crucial to maintaining the Hawks' momentum. 

Wednesday was the first time the Red Dragons had been slightly challenged in conference play, as they routed Oneonta 23-5 and defeated Brockport 16-4 so far. 

SUNY New Paltz is not too down on their morale however, as the Hawks just gained their first regional ranking in program history, placing fourth in the top seven of region III. SUNY New Paltz stands just behind SUNY Geneseo, who they will face on April 20. The team will go on the road to face the Knights, preparing for another SUNYAC battle. The game begins at 11 a.m. 

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