Ewing, NJ — A preview of what will be a new conference rivalry starting next fall, two defending conference champions went head-to-head Sunday at Lions Stadium in Ewing, New Jersey on Day 2 of the TCNJ Tournament.
 
The State University of New York New Paltz (1-2 overall) controlled the game in the first half and fought valiantly in the second, but ultimately a late hand ball in the box resulting in a penalty kick in the 89th minute was the difference in the game as No. 20 TCNJ walked away with the slight, 1-0 victory.
 
The Lions, like the Hawks, lost a talented class from a season ago where they went 18-1-2 overall en route to a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. SUNY New Paltz proved it selves against one of the best programs in the country, out-playing TCNJ on its home turf for more the half of action and narrowly walked out with at the very least a point against the Lions after coming off a tough 3-0 loss against No. 2 nationally ranked William Smith last weekend.

SUNY New Paltz played about 40 minutes Saturday against Arcadia to begin the TCNJ hosted Tournament, but due to lightning the game was suspended and then canceled.
 
Back on the field not 24 hours later, the Hawks sustained possession early, getting balls into the box on crosses and earned a corner just five minutes into the game. Their first target on frame came off a 30-yard strike by senior midfielder Mia Baldinger in the eighth minute, but the chance was easily corralled by Lions goalie Ellen Williams. Laney Schmitz had an opportunity in the 37th minute, starting the sequence with a nifty through ball to graduate forward Kennedy Jones with the ball landing back on the foot of Schmitz atop the box but her strike was saved by Williams. Less than a minute later, senior center back Sam Wohlmut took a shot about 40 yards out, trying to catch Williams off her line, but the TCNJ keeper did well to track and easily handle the attempt to preserve the stalemate.  
SUNY New Paltz's defense limited the Lions to just one shot on goal during the 45 minutes and overall, the visitors out-shot the Lions 5-3 within the half of action, however, TCNJ came out of the break with momentum.
 
The ball stayed within the Hawks' defensive half for most of the opening 20 minutes of the second, but SUNY New Paltz's backline stayed strong and organized as it won its 1-on-1 matchups to weather the Lions attack.
 
TCNJ had one of its most dangerous chances in the 67th minute, but Hawks sophomore goalie Jess Centeri, who came off a career-high 10 saves against the Herons, proved once again her ability in net. Lions' Ari Keily did well winning the ball back in her defensive third on a slide tackle. She took a touch and saw Centeri slightly off her line and ripped a ball headed toward the top right corner, but Centeri recovered, tracked the shot and timed her dive perfect as she got a hand on the ball to make the save and keep the score at zeros.
 
SUNY New Paltz started finding some success offensively late in the game. With about 10 minutes to go, senior Hannah Wellinger from her right back spot, worked down the sideline, beat her man and sent a beautiful looking cross back in atop the six-yard box for sophomore midfielder Alyssa Deutsch. Deutsch one-timed a volley that went just wide of goal which would have been a highlight strike just a few feet of frame. A minute later, Jones played a well weighted through ball to senior forward Brooke Kelleher who found Baldinger, making a run on the outside. Baldinger centered a perfect cross weak side back to Jones back Jones couldn't get her hips fully around to get enough strength on the attempt, which ultimately went wide.
 
Ceneteri was called upon again in the 86th as the Lions had another dangerous chance after a miscue defensively by the Hawks. TCNJ played a lifted ball toward the backline and the clear skimmed off the head of a SUNY New Paltz defender and went backward, resulting in a 1-v-1 opportunity for the Lions. Centeri came off her line and timed herself well, as she smothered the shot, getting a foot on the attempt for the stop.
 
The game seemed destined to remain in a 0-0 tie with both teams fighting hard, but TCNJ managed one last corner in the 88th minute. The hosts played a ball in with SUNY New Paltz struggling to clear. The Lions found the loose ball within the box and as Wellinger went up to make the block on the attempt, the ball ricocheted off her arm resulting in a penalty kick.
 
Centeri, who made a pk save against William Smith, guessed the opposite way of TCNJ's Abby Najdzinowicz who placed her shot right corner for the go-ahead score to lift her team to the 1-0 win.
 
Through 90 minutes, TCNJ held the slight advantage in shots, 10-9, and shots on goal, 5-4, while earning six corners to the Hawks' two.
 
Deutsch and Schmitz joined Centeri as the only Hawks to clock 90 minutes of action with Deutsch adding two shots and Schmitz one. Centeri for her credit, tallied four saves.
 
SUNY New Paltz continues its play against NJAC competition, as it goes on the road to face a very good Montclair State team Thursday night before coming back home Saturday morning against King's College.


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