NEW PALTZ, NY – The SUNY New Paltz field hockey team opened its 2026 campaign on the right foot Tuesday afternoon, blanking Marywood University, 1-0, on its home turf.
The Hawks set the tone early and controlled the pace of the contest, outshooting the Pacers, 17-9, while holding a 9-4 advantage in penalty corners. SUNY New Paltz earned six corners in the opening quarter alone before adding three more throughout the remaining three periods.
SUNY New Paltz found its rhythm early, earning consecutive corners within the opening two minutes. Mattie Betts registered the first opportunity of the new campaign before Ashley McGough followed with an attempt of her own, but both were turned away.
Another corner at the 6:53 mark created two more chances to break the stalemate, but the Hawks could not capitalize. Marywood eventually broke free from SUNY New Paltz's pressure and pushed into its attacking half for the first time. Emma Toth fired the Pacers' first shot of the afternoon, but Gabriella Barth was there to help her defense with a defensive save.
The Hawks continued to press, totaling eight shots in the opening quarter before being tested again by the Marywood attack. The Pacers earned a corner in the closing minute and generated a shot off the opportunity, but goalkeeper Grace Grant made the stop to keep the game scoreless.
After a productive opening quarter with nothing on the scoreboard to show for it, SUNY New Paltz continued applying pressure in the second.
Following four minutes of back-and-forth possession, the Hawks worked their way deep into Pacer territory and forced Marywood into another quick decision, earning a penalty corner. This time, SUNY New Paltz made the opportunity count.
A slick insert from Maya O'Keefe found Joleigh Kozack, who worked around a defender and fired an attempt toward the cage. First-year Abigail Bozzanca was waiting in the perfect spot, redirecting Kozack's effort into the back of the cage for her first collegiate goal and a 1-0 Hawks advantage.
Both defenses tightened following Bozzanca's breakthrough, with neither side registering another shot for the remainder of the half as SUNY New Paltz carried its one-goal advantage into the break.
Marywood came out aggressively to begin the second half, earning two early corners and putting an attempt on cage that Grant turned away. SUNY New Paltz responded with a corner of its own, looking to double its advantage, but Caydence Parker's ensuing attempt went just wide.
Grant continued to stand tall in the cage alongside a swarming Hawks defense, adding two more saves in the third quarter to keep the Pacers off the board with 15 minutes remaining.
With time beginning to work against them, the Pacers pushed for the equalizer early in the fourth and generated a pair of opportunities within the opening three minutes. Grant and the SUNY New Paltz defense were again up to the challenge, turning away the threat and preserving the one-goal lead.
The remainder of the fourth was largely contested in the midfield as the Hawks worked to see out the victory. Marywood created one final opportunity with 1:16 remaining, hoping to force overtime, but Grant got her pads on the attempt to slam the door on the Pacers and secure the season-opening shutout.
Both sides of the ball proved vital in SUNY New Paltz's 1-0 triumph. McGough paced the offense with eight shots, while Samantha Torres added two and five other Hawks registered an attempt, including Bozzanca's game-winner. Kozack was credited with the assist on the lone goal, while Grant was exceptional in cage, finishing with seven saves to earn the shutout.
SUNY New Paltz heads to Massachusetts Saturday, Sept. 5 to take on No. 10 Endicott College at 11 a.m.
******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.
