CORTLAND, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz field hockey team struck first against a nationally ranked unbeaten SUNY Cortland squad Saturday afternoon at Stadium White, but the Red Dragons responded to earn a 4-1 victory.
The Hawks wasted little time getting on the board, generating a penalty corner just over a minute into the contest. Caydence Parker sent an attempt toward cage where Maya O'Keefe redirected the ball home, putting SUNY New Paltz ahead 1-0 just 1:11 into the game.
No. 18 Cortland answered less than seven minutes later, as Kaylee Hughen found Anna McCarthy in front of cage for the equalizer at 7:43. The Red Dragons continued to generate pressure throughout the opening quarter, but goalkeeper Grace Grant helped keep the game tied with three saves in the period.
SUNY New Paltz remained within striking distance throughout the second quarter despite continued pressure from the hosts. Grant stopped six shots in the period before Cortland eventually broke through at 25:39, when Sadie Hoffmann set up Tori Peterson for the go-ahead goal to give the Red Dragons a 2-1 advantage entering halftime.
Grant and the Hawks' defense kept Cortland off the board entirely in the third quarter. The Red Dragons registered nine shots in the period, with Grant turning away five attempts on goal to keep SUNY New Paltz within one entering the final 15 minutes.
Cortland extended its advantage just 38 seconds into the fourth on a goal from Adrienne Mayes before adding its final tally with three minutes remaining. Grant continued battling in cage between the two scores, highlighted by a stop on a Cortland penalty stroke at the 52:18 mark.
O'Keefe accounted for SUNY New Paltz's lone shot on goal with her first-quarter tally, while Parker earned the assist. Grant finished with 17 saves, tying her season-high total from the Hawks' matchup against No. 1 Christopher Newport earlier this month.
No.18 Cortland improved to 7-0 with the victory, while SUNY New Paltz moved to 3-5.
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