Cortland, NY — The rivalry was ignited once again for a 2025 regular season addition between the State University of New York New Paltz and SUNY Cortland Saturday at Holloway Field.
 
Both teams had its chances with the game ending in an exclamation point, as the Red Dragons narrowly put away a dagger from 20-yards out as time expired, but the shot went in after the time struck zeros, resulting in a 0-0 tie between the two sides.
 
The Hawks held the advantage in total shots with 14, compared to 10 for the Red Dragons, but the hosts put five shots on target to SUNY New Paltz's four. Cortland created numerous set pieces in its offensive third, compiling six corners in the game along with two late free kicks just outside the box, but the Hawks withstood the pressure with the backline of Maggie Cameron, Sam Wohlmut, Grace Lien and Erin Savarese, holding strong with sophomore goalie Jess Centeri continuing her breakout season to tally her fourth shutout of the year after making five stops Saturday.
 
Cortland controlled the game to start, tallying four corners within the opening 10 minutes of the game, generating two shots on Centeri off those chances. Wohlmut did well recovering on a potential 1-v-1 with Centeri and Red Dragons' Piper Klammer 15 minutes into the match, but the senior cleaned up the play, winning the ball back inside the box and clearing away from pressure.
 
The surge died down midway through the half with SUNY New Paltz finding its footing. Alyssa Deutsch fired back-to-back shots on Red Dragons goalie Olivia Rouse resulting in a corner around the 27th minute. Brooke Rosenberg had a look on frame from the set piece, but the attempt went high of the mark.
Cortland earned a corner eight minutes into the second half with Tyla Vuotto getting a piece of the cross in, but Centeri was there to make the stop. The Hawks countered and Deutsch found space to try another of frame, but her shot hit the crossbar with Kennedy Jones following up, but Rouse was there on the stop. SUNY New Paltz kept the pressure on, however, and put the Red Dragons on their heels earning another corner. Savarese had a try off the corner, but her shot went wide of the mark.
 
One of the best opportunities for the Hawks came in the 83rd minute, as Laney Schmitz found some space just outside the 18-yard box. The senior ripped a bullet heading toward the near post, beating Rouse to her near side, but the attempt careened off the post and out of play.
 
Cortland was given some life in the final minutes, as SUNY New Paltz gifted the hosts with a free kick on a foul just outside the box. The first attempt was sent directly into the wall, but another call was made, and the free kick was brought closer toward the 18. However, the Red Dragons couldn't convert as the attempt on net sailed high of Centeri.

The hosts continued to play until the final seconds with the Hawks defense struggling to clear their zone. The Red Dragons, splitting through SUNY New Paltz's midfield to get atop the 18-yard box, sent a rocket as time expired that painted the top right corner out of the reach of Centeri, but the officials waved the attempt off with both teams in disbelief. Fittingly, the two, like the regular season matchup last season, went down as a 0-0 draw.
 
Deutsch and Schmitz led SUNY New Paltz with three shots apiece. Schmitz played a full 90, alongside Lien, forward Brooke Kelleher, midfielder Mia Baldinger and Centeri. Samantha Gemmo added two shots, one on target, in 55 minutes off the bench.
 
The Hawks are back in SUNYAC action Wednesday, returning to South Turf Field to host SUNY Potsdam at 4 p.m.


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