Troy, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz fell to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers Saturday.

The Hawks either led or were tied against RPI for the majority of the match, but a last-minute goal by the Engineers in the 86th minute ultimately gave the hosts the 3-2 win. The loss drops SUNY New Paltz's record to 5-2-1 overall and concludes its non-league schedule. 

Abby Dolge got the Hawks rolling, having notched the match's first shot on goal in the first three minutes of play, but the RPI keeper denied the attempt. 

After a foul by the Engineers, SUNY New Paltz sent a free kick toward its offensive zone to set up a run. However, in the sixth minute, the attempt was cut short by an offsides call. The Hawks would be called offsides again in the eighth minute, but the frontline adjusted, as the second call was SUNY New Paltz's last offside offense of the match. 

In the 10th minute, Rachel Eisert found herself a shot opportunity but was blocked by RPI's backline. However, the senior controlled the rebound and shot again, but she missed over the net. Following Eisert's sequence, the match went into a 10-minute shooting drought, until Gaby Treble took matters into her own hands. 

After a long ball was stopped by the Engineers' defense, Kelleher pushed up and intercepted an attempted pass, and fed Eisert who trailed behind. Eisert switched the field and found Treble up the left sideline. Treble outsmarted her defender to create space and fired a shot from the top of the box, which found the back of the net for a 1-0 SUNY New Paltz lead

After the goal, neither team conjured a set piece, and no shots were taken for the ensuing 13 minutes. Eisert broke the stalemate in the 33rd minute with a low shot, but it was scooped up by the keeper. Eisert tried again a minute later, but the attempt was denied. 

No further shots were taken by either squad in the waning minutes of the first, and the half ended with the Hawks up by one. However, just over a minute into the second, RPI chipped one into the back corner of the net, which tied the score at 1-1. The Hawks continued to push offensively, which soon payed off. 

In the 56th minute, the Engineers shanked a goal kick, and sent the ball right to the feet of Dolge. More than 20 yards out, Dolge fired a missile to cage, which flew over the head of RPI's keeper. The dagger marked the junior's first goal of the year, and the shot that let the Hawks take the lead, 2-1.

SUNY New Paltz tried to add on to its lead, as it fired four shots in the next 25 minutes, compared to the Engineers' three. Unfortunately, on their fourth attempt, RPI connected. 

In the 80th minute, the Engineers took the ball into the Hawks' left corner, and crossed a pass through the box. The attempt was cleared twice, but RPI regained possession both times, and sent a shot from the top of the box. The ball flew past the Hawks back line and into the net — a late goal which tied the match, 2-2. The stalemate didn't last long, as only a few minutes later, the Engineers struck again.

RPI took a corner in the 86th minute, which flew into the six yard box. An Engineer forward connected on a header which SUNY New Paltz's backline tried to clear, but they could not evacuate the shot before the ball crossed the line, and RPI took the lead. The time remaining was not enough for the Hawks to net one, and the match ended with RPI on top, 3-2. 

Dolge led offensively with a goal and two shots on frame. Treble followed with her point, while Eisert tried for six shots, with four on net. Franklin had three saves for the 90 minutes. 

The Hawks take a week before they face the reigning SUNYAC Champions Cortland at home. Kickoff is at noon.  

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