NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team suffered its first home setback of the season Wednesday afternoon, falling to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on North Turf.
The streaking Engineers entered the contest winners of three straight, outscoring their opponents 14-1 over that span. The Hawks returned to North Turf following a stellar week at home that included consecutive shutout victories over Mount Saint Mary and Clarkson, as both sides looked to sharpen up ahead of conference play.
RPI kept its offensive momentum going Wednesday, outshooting New Paltz, 20-9, while both teams earned two corner kicks. The familiar foes, who have met every season since 2021, played a physical match that featured 18 combined fouls.
Both sides looked to establish early pressure, with New Paltz getting flagged offside just two minutes into the contest. Junior forward Abby MacLeod generated the first shot of the afternoon at the 5:39 mark, but pushed her attempt wide right.
RPI answered by working its way into Hawks territory, earning a corner before breaking through for the opening goal in the 10th minute. With the lead in hand, the Engineers maintained possession and continued testing the New Paltz back line. Goalkeeper Jess Centeri turned away a pair of attempts as the Hawks weathered the pressure before beginning to create chances of their own.
Junior captain Alyssa Deutsch produced New Paltz's first shot on frame in the 35th minute, trying to sneak a low effort past the RPI keeper, who made the stop. The Engineers threatened to double their advantage late in the half, but Centeri came up with another save with three minutes remaining before RPI sent the final attempt of the period wide.
Trailing at halftime for just the second time this season, the Hawks looked to find an equalizer, but RPI again opened the period on the front foot. The Engineers doubled their advantage just 1:44 into the second half before quickly pushing forward in search of another, with Centeri coming up with the stop.
Samantha Gemmo generated New Paltz's first opportunity of the second half in the 55th minute, putting an attempt on frame. The Hawks earned their first corner shortly afterward but could not produce an end product as RPI regained control of possession.
Centeri and the New Paltz defense kept the Hawks within striking distance, turning away four shots on goal as the clock wound down. Coach Bolton's squad continued battling and earned another corner in the 80th minute before finally breaking through four minutes later.
Brie Loize slipped a through ball behind the Engineers' defense and into the path of MacLeod, who found herself in a 50/50 with the charging RPI goalkeeper. MacLeod kept her composure, worked around the keeper and regained possession before finishing into the open net to cut the deficit to one.
New Paltz continued pushing for the equalizer in the closing minutes. After a late offside call halted one opportunity, MacLeod created one final chance in the 87th minute, but her attempt was saved as the Hawks' second-half push came up just short.
The Hawks continue their homestand Saturday, Sept. 19 when they host No. 16 William Smith on North Turf. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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