New Paltz, NY — In its sixth draw of the year, the State University of New York at New Paltz could not push past Oneonta, tying the Red Dragons 1-1.
For the past four games, the Hawks have totaled 52 shots with 22 on frame, but have struggled finishing offensive opportunities. The trend proved true against Oneonta (3-7-4), as SUNY New Paltz out-shot the Red Dragons 15-6, but could not gain the advantage over the visitors before time expired. Currently, SUNY New Paltz (6-3-6) has the most ties in the SUNYAC with five and sits in sixth place in the conference standings, while Oneonta remains in eighth place.
The Hawks started the match energized, controlling play in the midfield.
Brooke Kelleher got the offense moving as the junior took the opening two shots of the match, both corralled by Oneonta's goalkeeper. In the eighth minute, Kelleher tried again off a corner kick, but the attempt went wide.
In the 18th minute, the Red Dragons were dealt a yellow card on forward Kaiden Ring in the Hawks' defensive third. However, two minutes later, Ring would make up for the offense.
Oneonta sent a ball over a high SUNY New Paltz backline for Ring to make a run. A fast-break opportunity, Ring and Hawks goalkeeper
Jess Centeri met at the top of the 16-yard box, where Ring chipped the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
The early goal deflated SUNY New Paltz's offense and the next shot attempt from the hosts didn't come until the 35th minute, when
Laney Schmitz took a try on net that missed out of frame.
Samantha Gemmo and
Ashley O'Hara followed, but neither were successful. In the time remaining, neither team had another shot on net, and halftime came with the Red Dragons up 1-0.
But the lead wouldn't last long.
In the 50th minute,
Kennedy Jones sent a ball to
Brooke Kelleher who served a ball just outside of the Hawks' offensive third. Kelleher carried the ball upfield and fired a shot into the back left corner of net just outside of the box. The goal lifted the Hawks up to a 1-1 draw early in the second.
However, the positive momentum was not enough to push the Hawks to another goal. The hosts only put up three more shots in the time remaining. But SUNY New Paltz's defense stood strong and limited Oneonta to just two shots in the final 40 minutes, keeping the match tied 1-1 as time expired.
Kelleher led with one goal and three shots on frame while playing 90 minutes for the Hawks. Centeri, Schmitz,
Erin Savarese,
Maggie Cameron and
Kara Jahrsdoerfer all played the full time for SUNY New Paltz as well. In net, Centeri recorded two saves on the day.
For their last conference game of the season, the Hawks travel to SUNY Canton on Oct. 25. Kick-off against the Roos is set for 1 p.m.
******************
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.
