New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York defeated the Potsdam Bears 2-0 to secure its first conference win of the season Wednesday on South Turf Field.
Following a 0-0 draw against the Cortland Red Dragons, the Hawks (5-2-2) looked to come out on top over the Bears (6-3-1). Despite a slow first half for both squads, SUNY New Paltz rallied in the second, but had trouble finishing. The Hawks fired 26 shots in the second with eight attempts in the first. Potsdam goalkeeper Megan Fry tallied 15 saves on the day and played a key role in ceasing SUNY New Paltz's offensive opportunities.
Brooke Kelleher fired the first shot of the game two minutes into the first, but the attempt was corralled by Fry. After Kelleher's shot, neither squad could generate another attempt until
Mia Baldinger took a chance in the 10th minute from just outside the 18-yard box, but the try went right of the near post.
Another offensive drought hit both teams, with neither firing a shot until the 22nd minute when
Addison Weiner chipped a ball towards net, but Fry denied the opportunity. A minute later, Weiner tried again, but missed wide.
The only shot by the Bears in the first came in the 39th minute. Potsdam's frontline surpassed the Hawks' defense and had a near open goal opportunity, but
Erin Savarese slid in front of the shot to block the try, and the backline cleared the ball in the opposite direction. The period ended five minutes afterward, with the score tied 0-0.
The second half began with more offensive opportunities for the Hawks, with three shot attempts taken in the first five minutes alone. SUNY New Paltz denied the Bears any chance at net, a defensive lockdown that lasted the entire half, as Potsdam did not have one shot attempt in the second.
However, the Hawks were able to find the back of the net.
In the 61st minute, Baldinger found
Alyssa Deutsch up on the frontline and sent a through ball to the sophomore. Deutsch lined up and fired a shot past Fry for SUNY New Paltz's first of the match. With the momentum of the game in their favor, the Hawks started rolling offensively and fired 15 more shots during the remainder of the half, with one finding its way past Potsdam.
In the final seconds of play,
Abby Macleod and Weiner connected in the Hawks' offensive third, and Weiner chipped a ball past Fry. The last-minute goal gave SUNY New Paltz a 2-0 advantage before the buzzer sounded for the home victory.
The Hawks' offensive unit worked hard throughout the match. Deutsch and Weiner were the scorers on the day with a goal a piece. Kelleher and
Laney Schmitz also put in the effort with seven shots apiece, with Kelleher putting six of her seven on frame.
Madelyn Jachimiak made her first career start against the Bears and played the entire 90 minutes for SUNY New Paltz.
The Hawks hit the road for their next conference matchup against the Fredonia Blue Devils. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Oct. 4.
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