NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team returned to the win column Wednesday afternoon, earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rutgers-Newark in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action on South Turf.
Senior Erin Savarese delivered the decisive moment in the 72nd minute, netting her first goal of the season to break a scoreless deadlock and lift the Hawks to their second conference victory. SUNY New Paltz improved to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in the NJAC, while Rutgers-Newark fell to 5-5-3 and 1-4 in conference play.
The opening half featured limited opportunities for both sides, with the teams combining for just five shots through the first 45 minutes. SUNY New Paltz generated its first attempt on target in the 20th minute when junior Alyssa Deutsch tested Scarlet Raptors goalkeeper Maura Chawner, who made the save.
Rutgers-Newark responded with an opportunity of its own in the 33rd minute as Samantha Vieira placed an attempt on frame, but Hawks goalkeeper Jess Centeri was there to deny the visitors. First-year Mia Dahlhaus added another opportunity for SUNY New Paltz in the 43rd minute, forcing Chawner into her second save of the half as the teams entered the break scoreless.
The Hawks emerged from halftime with renewed offensive pressure, producing nine of their 11 total shots in the final 45 minutes.
Samantha Gemmo tested Chawner less than three minutes into the second half before sending another attempt wide in the 50th minute. Savarese followed with an opportunity in the 52nd, but her shot missed left.
SUNY New Paltz continued pressing forward as Gemmo forced another save in the 59th minute. Deutsch followed moments later with an attempt toward the bottom-right corner, but Chawner kept the game scoreless.
The Hawks' persistence paid off in the 72nd minute following a scramble directly in front of the Rutgers-Newark goal. With several players battling for possession inside the six-yard box, the ball bounced between bodies near the goal line before Savarese managed to get the decisive touch, tapping it past Chawner for her first collegiate goal and the eventual game-winner.
The hosts continued searching for insurance, with Sole O'Hara, Breanna Casey and Abby Macleod each recording attempts over the following seven minutes.
Rutgers-Newark mounted a late push for an equalizer, earning a corner in the 87th minute that led to an attempt from Eliza Haghighi. Centeri came up with the save to preserve the one-goal advantage as the Hawks held on for the shutout victory.
SUNY New Paltz finished with an 11-7 advantage in shots, including a 9-4 margin in the second half. The Hawks also held a 6-3 edge in shots on goal and a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Gemmo led SUNY New Paltz with three shots, placing two on target, while Deutsch and Savarese each registered two attempts. Centeri finished with three saves across the full 90 minutes, recording her fifth shutout of the season.
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