New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz hosted No. 1 nationally ranked and undefeated Christopher Newport Tuesday morning on North Turf Field and had arguably the best defensive performance of the season against the Captains, but a late stroke was the difference as Christopher Newport remained undefeated following the 1-0 result.
 
The Hawks defensive unit of Madeline Meyer, Gabriella Barth, Madelyn Graves and Sophia Bronzi backed by a standout performance from senior goalie Gail Comiskey played stout throughout 60 minutes with the ball on the hosts defensive half for the majority of the game.
 
The Captains got off six shots within the opening 15 minutes, but none too dangerous. The best first half opportunity for the visitors came on their second penalty corner two minutes in, as Kelly Via got a shot past Comiskey, but Bronzi was there to save the ball before going over the goal line to keep the stalemate. Overall, SUNY New Paltz did well defending penalty corners with the last given up in the half resulting in the Hawks' first opportunity in their offensive half as they transitioned the other way. Ashley McGough got into the circle and attempted a shot toward goal that was blocked by a defender and then cleared with neither team getting another shot off before the halftime whistle sounded as the game remained at zeros at the break.
 
 
Christopher Newport kept the pressure on SUNY New Paltz to start the second, earning consecutive penalty corners midway through the third. Comiskey stepped up to make back-to-back saves before Gabriella Barth got her stick in between a shot for another defensive save for the Hawks to preserve the shutout. However, the hosts had trouble clearing their zone to generate anything the other direction and eventually, the Captains broke through in the 42nd minute. Captains' Lindsey Loar weaved past Comiskey and sent a shot heading toward the far corner. Graves tried to get her stick down for the defensive save, but the ball nicked off her foot resulting in the penalty stroke. Comiskey guessed correctly on the ensuing attempt, but Christopher Newport's Carline Hughlett ripped a hard shot that beamed off the post and in for the goal to put her team up with four minutes left in the quarter.  
The defense continued to hold strong for the Hawks, but offensively SUNY New Paltz couldn't generate any possession down on their scoring side. It had a prime opportunity as the Captains were handed a five-minute yellow card following a dangerous shot that struck Meyer in the face. However, the Hawks couldn't get the ball back to work anything in transition and Christopher Newport milked the time, holding the hosts without a shot in the man-up period.
 
Rachel Tama had one last look for SUNY New Paltz as she worked her way into the circle, but her reverse stick lifted well wide of goal, as the clock winded down on the final five minutes of regulation to cement the 1-0 score.
 
The Captains out-shot the Hawks, 28-2, including 18-0 in shots on goal with 10 penalty corners while holding SUNY New Paltz to none. Comiskey finished with a career-high 15 saves with Bronzi and Barth each picking up a defensive save.
 
SUNY New Paltz dropped 8-5 overall while Christopher Newport improved to 14-0. The Hawks are back in action Friday afternoon, hosting SUNYAC foe SUNY Morrisville at 3 p.m. on North Turf Field.


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