TROY, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz field hockey team hit the road Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference matchup against RPI at Harkness Field, falling to the Engineers, 6-2.
The Hawks showed resilience after facing an early two-goal deficit, battling all the way back behind a pair of second-quarter goals from Caydence Parker to level the game before RPI regained control late in the first half.
The Engineers applied pressure early and broke through in the sixth minute on a goal from Kylie Secker. RPI continued generating opportunities throughout the opening quarter, but goalkeeper Grace Grant helped keep SUNY New Paltz within striking distance with four saves in the period. Emily Frey eventually doubled the advantage at 12:32, sending the Hawks into the second quarter trailing, 2-0.
The Hawks were quick to respond, earning a penalty corner less than two minutes into the second, and Parker capitalized six seconds later. Maya O'Keefe picked up the assist as Parker found the back of the cage at 16:53 to cut the deficit in half.
SUNY New Paltz continued pushing and earned another corner at 20:15. Once again, the first-year standout delivered, scoring just 12 seconds later off an assist from Joleigh Kozack to erase the early deficit and bring the Hawks even at 2-2. The two goals came just 3:34 apart and accounted for Parker's first multi-goal performance of the season.
RPI answered before the Hawks could take their first lead, however. Sophia Brown scored consecutive goals just 47 seconds apart at 25:33 and 26:20, allowing the Engineers to restore a two-goal advantage before halftime.
The hosts scored early in the third quarter, scoring at 33:16, before Katie Galgay extended RPI's advantage to 6-2 just over four minutes later.
The Hawks' defense held the Engineers scoreless throughout the fourth quarter, with Kate Comiskey making three saves in the final period. Abigail Bozzanca generated SUNY New Paltz's final opportunity with a shot on goal, but the RPI goalkeeper made the stop to preserve the final margin.
RPI finished with a 19-3 advantage in shots, placing 17 attempts on goal, while holding a 7-4 edge in penalty corners. Grant and Comiskey combined in the cage for SUNY New Paltz, while Gabriella Barth added a defensive save.
Parker led the Hawks offensively with two goals on two shots, while O'Keefe and Kozack each registered an assist.
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