Union, NJ — The State University of New York New Paltz went on the road to face Kean University Tuesday night under the lights and came away with a 1-0 win.
 
The victory snapped a two-game losing skid for SUNY New Paltz who boosted its overall record to 4-4, while Kean fell to 3-4 overall.
 
The Hawks held the advantage in the first half, totaling eight shots to the Cougars four, while generating three corners to the hosts two.
 
Controlling the ball for the opening minutes, SUNY New Paltz didn't take long to get on the board. Rachel Tama nearly put away a highlight goal, dribbling into the circle and with a reverse-stick, shot a high arcing shot that went past Kean goalie Daniella Maresca and thudding against the crossbar inches from putting her team up. The senior captain wasn't deterred, however, finding the back of the cage shortly after on a re-start near midfield. Gabriella Barth played a beautiful ball in, lifting a pass into space toward the Cougars goal. Tama won possession and dribbled into the circle before slotting a shot past Maresca for her third goal of the season, pushing the Hawks to a quick, 1-0 lead. The score also cemented Tama in the program history books, passing 2017 alumna Justine O'Reilly as the program's all-time goal leader with 44 career goals and counting.
 
The score remained at 1-0 through more than three quarters. SUNY New Paltz created numerous chances for an insurance goal, including five corners in the final 10 minutes resulting in six shots off those opportunities, but couldn't capitalize. Elizabeth Austin and Ashley McGough narrowly added one more with six minutes to go with Austin beating her man, getting endline and centering a pass to McGough, but Maresca made the pad save, stepping off her line well to keep the difference at one.  
McGough earned back-to-back corners with less than three minutes to play, but the Cougars again stiffened up in front of net. SUNY New Paltz were steadfast, however, not letting the hosts clear out of their defensive 25, winning the ball back with Tama then earning another corner for her team. Tama found the ball at her stick and ripped a shot heading toward the corner of goal, but the attempt hit off a Kean stick and out of play.
 
The Hawks pressed on and didn't give the Cougars a chance for the equalizer, not allowing a single shot on goal in the final 12 minutes while controlling the ball in their offensive half in the waning time to hold onto the one-goal win.
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot Kean, 21-8 in the game, including 11-2 in shots on goal, while recording eight corners to the Cougars six. Tama led her team offensively with 11 shots, four on goal, followed by McGough with six shots, four on target. Freshman goalie Grace Grant recorded her first career win, making two stops in the shutout.
 
The Hawks look to get back over .500 when they resume play Saturday, going on the road to start SUNYAC action against SUNY Oswego. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Laker Turf Stadium.
 

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