EWING, NJ – The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team gave nationally ranked No. 9 The College of New Jersey all it could handle Saturday afternoon, taking a 2-1 advantage into halftime before the Lions rallied with three unanswered second-half goals to claim a 4-2 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory at Lions Stadium.
The Hawks (6-6 overall, 2-4 NJAC) entered the contest fresh off a 1-0 conference victory over Rutgers-Newark Wednesday and looked to carry that momentum into one of their toughest matchups of the season. SUNY New Paltz delivered a strong first-half response against the nationally ranked Lions (10-1-2, 5-1 NJAC), overcoming an early deficit with two goals in an eight-minute span to take the lead into the break.
TCNJ applied pressure from the opening whistle, forcing junior goalkeeper Jess Centeri into a pair of saves within the first 10 minutes. The Lions eventually broke through in the 14th minute when Alyssa Alfano delivered a cross toward the far post, finding Jenny Ward for a header that gave the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.
SUNY New Paltz responded with an opportunity in the 19th minute as Jamie Seccafico tested Lions goalkeeper Ellen Williams, who turned away the attempt. The Hawks continued searching for an equalizer and found their breakthrough just over a minute later.
In the 21st minute, Grace Lien netted her first goal of the season off a feed from Alyssa Deutsch, bringing the contest level at one apiece.
The Hawks wasted little time capitalizing on their newfound momentum. In the 29th minute, junior captain Abby Macleod delivered her team-leading sixth goal of the season, finishing an opportunity created by Seccafico to put SUNY New Paltz ahead, 2-1.
Despite TCNJ continuing to generate offensive pressure, the Hawks held firm defensively over the remainder of the opening period. Centeri registered five first-half saves as SUNY New Paltz carried its one-goal advantage into the locker room, putting the nationally ranked Lions behind at halftime for just the second time this season.
TCNJ came out aggressively following the intermission, finding the equalizer in the 51st minute. Hayden Tormasi collected a loose ball inside the penalty area following a blocked cross and curled an attempt inside the far post to even the score at two.
The Lions continued pressing forward, generating six corner kicks over the ensuing 20 minutes as SUNY New Paltz worked to withstand the sustained pressure.
TCNJ eventually reclaimed the lead in the 71st minute when Alfano connected with Caroline Freer at the far post following a corner kick, putting the hosts ahead, 3-2.
The Lions added an insurance goal less than six minutes later as Alfano delivered another cross into the box, finding Taylor Bielan for a volley in the 77th minute to extend the advantage to 4-2.
SUNY New Paltz was unable to generate another scoring opportunity over the closing minutes as TCNJ held on for the conference victory.
The Lions finished with a 29-5 advantage in shots, including an 11-3 margin in attempts on goal, while holding an 11-0 edge in corner kicks. Centeri played all 90 minutes in net for the Hawks, finishing with seven saves.
Lien and Macleod accounted for SUNY New Paltz's two goals, while Deutsch and Seccafico each recorded an assist. Lien registered two shots, while Macleod, Seccafico and Samantha Gemmo each added one.
The Hawks move to 6-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play following the result.
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