New Paltz, NY — Tensions ran high in the State University of New York at New Paltz's highly anticipated home opener against the Cortland Red Dragons. However, the teams found themselves in a deadlock by the end of the 90 minutes, and the game ended in a scoreless tie.

"I think we've bounced back from the past two games, we were beyond ready for this game, and we were trying our best to win," said Hawks senior goalkeeper Maddie Franklin. "Although it's not the win result that we wanted, we worked tirelessly today."

Preseason polls read that reigning SUNYAC champion Cortland was the No. 1 team heading into the season, followed closely by SUNY New Paltz at No. 2, only behind the Red Dragons by five points. Arguably the two best teams in the SUNYAC, this game was significant for both programs. 

The Hawks got moving in the first minutes when Laney Schmitz sent a through ball down the right sideline to forward Rachel Eisert with a lane ahead of her to dribble upfield, but she was met with a slew of Cortland defenders. However, Eisert got the cross off to Abby Dolge, who struck a low shot, but the attempt deflected out left.

Seven minutes in, the Red Dragons were able to get the ball through to the six for their first offensive push of the match. Close to the cage, Cortland tried to chip the ball in, but Franklin deflected the attempt in enough time for a foul to be called against the Red Dragons to return the ball to SUNY New Paltz. 
 

The first 15 minutes of play set the tone for the game — and it was all intensity, as it was physical all over the field. After a controversial no-call foul against Eisert in the 13th minute, the senior got up from the ground and fired a missile at the net, but the Cortland keeper absorbed the shot. 

Neither team could produce another opportunity until the 21st minute, when Dolge found a clear path from the midfield to the Red Dragons' net. She found Brooke Kelleher at the top of the box, who crossed to Eisert near the left corner. Again, Eisert powered a shot at the cage, but it just skimmed the right post and trickled out. Cortland attempted to retaliate with an offensive push, but they could not connect before the ball flew out of bounds to end the possession.

Off the goalkick, Mia Baldinger possessed the ball in the midfield and turned upfield where she found Kelleher on the move, and the Red Dragons were forced to kick the ball out to prevent a fast break. Baldinger acquired the ball again, this time headed to score herself, and chipped the ball towards net. However, Cortland's keeper caught the ball to end the chance. 

The Red Dragons built momentum off the clear and got into the Hawks' defensive third. The SUNY New Paltz backline failed to clear multiple times, but Franklin ended Cortland's chances, as she picked up the ball and cleared towards the midfield.  

In the 11th minute, the Hawks drew a free kick, which deflected off a Cortland defender and gave SUNY New Paltz a corner opportunity. Emma Voege sent the kick, which soared to opposite side of the box where Hannah Wellinger waited. Wellinger connected with a header, but the try went right and out. But five minutes later, Wellinger used her head again.
 

With almost five minutes remaining, the Red Dragons gained a free-kick opportunity. Cortland sent the ball into the Hawk's eighteen, but Wellinger cleared out the ball with a header to swing the momentum back upfield. 

A minute later, Schmitz corralled the loose ball in the midfield and passed up the sideline to Kennedy Jones. Jones attempted a cross to Addison Weiner, but the pass went too far and into the Red Dragons' grasp. 

In the final seconds of the first, Cortland ripped a shot against the Hawks, which Franklin deflected. However the ball ricocheted back into play, and the Red Dragons were able to get a touch past Franklin. But defender Erin Savarese stood behind Franklin, ready to defend the net, where the sophomore cleared the ball out of the box. The last meaningful play of the half, the period ended in a deadlock, 0-0. But things started to heat up in the second. 

Tensions were high for the beginning 10 minutes of play, especially in the eighth minute when Cortland was handed a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, the stoppage did not work in the SUNY New Paltz's favor, as less than a minute later the Red Dragons regained possession and fired the first shot of the second at Franklin, who easily saved the attempt.

More fouls ensued, and the Hawks were granted a free kick in scoring range in the 14th minute. Alexis DeLeo lined up and tried to deliver the ball to the stack of SUNY New Paltz players, but fell short as no one could get a touch on the service. 

The Hawks committed a foul of their own in the 55th minute, and this time the Red Dragons were rewarded with a free kick. Cortland fired a ball into a cluster of players, one of which got a shot off in close-range. Franklin made a clutch deflection to prevent the goal, and Schmitz was able to send the dangerous ball out. 

Another threatening situation came in the 76th minute when a shot came into the box Savarese made another all-out play, as she lied out on her side to stop the ball from passing the goal line, which Franklin soon corralled to preserve possession. 

In the 80th minute, SUNY New Paltz gained yet another free kick, which Voege shipped up to the frontline. Kelleher gained possession and tried to finish, but collided with keeper before a clean shot was taken. Baldinger regained possession off the clear and tried, but was also unsuccessful. The ball was back in Cortland's possession, and the Red Dragons were determined to end the lockjam.

After a mistake by the backline in the 82nd, Cortland was able to break free and have a one on one opportunity with Franklin. But, coming in clutch once again, Franklin stretched out and deflected the ball with her left foot to send the shot out of bounds. The ensuing corner kick was played into the six, which the backline unsuccessfully cleared out, but Franklin bailed out her defense once again as she scooped the ball up to end the attack.

"There's not enough time to think with the quick saves today, so it just comes down to reactions," said Franklin. "We work a lot on that at goalie training, so I don't have to think about it." 

With less than five minutes remaining, the Hawks were full steam ahead, putting every last effort into a full-squad offensive rally. But the time left dwindled, and no Hawk could find an opportunity to put the game away. The buzzer sounded with a 0-0 stalemate on the scoreboard.

"We were constantly trying to put the ball in the back of the net we did not let up, and even for the last few minutes, we were putting everything on the line," said Franklin. "I think that set's us up well for the rest of the season and the next step is putting the ball in the back of the net."

Eisert led with six total shots, three on goal. DeLeo followed with two on the net, while Baldinger, Dolge, and Jones each fired one. Franklin finished with four saves. 

SUNY New Paltz travels west for its first overnight trip of the season, facing Potsdam Wednesday. Kickoff against the Bears is at 2 p.m. 

Game Highlights (video by Aiden Duran)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by New Paltz Hawks (@newpaltzhawks)

 
******************

To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.