Oswego, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz lost on the road to SUNY Oswego Friday, 14-7.
 
The Hawks dropped to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the SUNYAC with the defeat, as they moved into third in the league standings.
 
SUNY New Paltz lost the battle in possession, as it turned the ball over 23 times, tied for third most all year, while the Lakers were forced into 16 turnovers, eight in both halves. The hosts also held the advantage in ground balls 20-14, and more pointedly, out-shot the Hawks, 25-12 in the game.
 
Kira Tucker gave SUNY New Paltz the initial lead on a nice catch and feed from behind X by Ava Padilla who ended as the offensive catalyst in the game. Oswego countered with a goal three minutes later, capitalizing on a free position attempt. It then quickly gained the lead after winning the ensuing draw control igniting what turned into a 5-0 run. Lexi Atwater put an end to the stretch, scoring on the power play following a green card by the Lakers.
 
Padilla found Atwater to start the second quarter following a draw win by Kaitlyn Shaw, but Oswego added onto its lead after forcing a turnover on the offensive end, resulting in a goal, which started a three-goal run to end the half to balloon its lead to 8-3 at the break.  
SUNY New Paltz showed some life to start the third quarter, scoring on back-to-back plays. The Lakers won the opening draw control to begin the half, but Francesca Corozzo forced a turnover which turned into a Shaw goal to cut the score in half. Mia Baldinger won the ensuing draw control and Morgan Atwater capitalized on the offensive possession, getting SUNY New Paltz within three at 8-5 with still 13-plus minutes to go in the quarter.
 
Oswego re-upped its lead and once again ended the period with an unanswered run, scoring five straight goals to go into the fourth up, 13-5. The two teams traded goals midway through the final quarter with Shaw capping the offensive output with her second of the game off a feed from Padilla to trim the score, 14-7 with almost six minutes to go. Neither team found the back of the net again, however, as the Lakers remained as the lone undefeated in the conference as the final whistle sounded.
 
Padilla had a team-high four points, all off assists, while adding a ground ball and caused turnover. Lexi Atwater followed with three goals on four shots with two ground balls, a caused turnover and draw control, while Shaw finished with two goals, a team-high three ground balls, a caused turnover and a team-high four draws.
 
Piper Mascaros earned the start and finished with eight saves, while Gabriella Tommaso came in to play the last 14-plus minutes and made one stop.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday for its regular season finale at home on North Turf Field against Oneonta at 4 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.