SCHENECTADY, NY — The New Paltz field hockey team fell to the Union Dutchwomen 6-2 in a non-conference match-up Wednesday afternoon. Three first-half goals by three different Union College players set the pace for the game
The Dutchwomen (4-4-0, 1-2-0 LL) jumped out to a 1-0 lead just over 30 seconds into the game when freshman Alison Krywanczyk (Essex Jct., VT/ Rice Memorial) dumped in a pass from senior Hillary Benoit (Sudbury, MA/ Lincoln Sudbury).
New Paltz (1-6-0, 0-2-0 SUNYAC) rallied for a goal 12 minutes later when Jacqueline Sisco (Wappingers Falls, NY/ John Jay) tipped in a corner from Justine Fairclough (Glen Cove, NY/ North Shore).
Union answered less than one minute later on a similar play, as Benoit tipped in a corner from Krywanczyk. Freshman Keelin Skurek (Massillon,OH/ Western Reserve Academy) set up in front of the net and converted a Benoit pass from the right to give the Dutchwomen a 3-1 lead at the half. Benoit led the Dutchwomen’s balanced attack with a goal and two assists.
Sophomore Anne Hanson (White River Jct., VT/ Hartford) gave Union a 4-1 lead just under 10 minutes into the second half on a penalty stroke. Hanson sent in a high shot to the left side of New Paltz goalkeeper Nicole Kovac (Manlius, NY/ Fayetteville-Manlius) who made a jumping kick save to stop the ball. The goal was awarded to Hanson after it was determined that Kovac had moved before Hanson had started her stroke.
Junior Emily Bryson (Charlestown, MA/ Gov. Dummer) added another goal for the Dutchwomen less than two minutes later when her shot from the top right side of the circle found its way past Kovac.
New Paltz freshman Elizabeth May (Commack, NY/ Commack) brought the Hawks back to 6-2 with a hard shot through a mass of defenders with less than six minutes remaining in the game. May received a pass from Jacqueline Sisco (Wappingers Falls, NY/John Jay) off a corner.
Union freshman Lizzy Moran (Unionville, PA/ Westminster School) carried up a pass from fellow rookie Ashley Simses (Guilford, CT/ Guilford) and sent in a high shot for her first career goal with three minutes remaining in the game.
Union goaltenders Liz Stanford (Acton, MA/ Acton-Boxboro Reg.) and Elise Wakeland (Arundel, ME/ Kennebunk) combined for the shutout, while Kovac made six saves for the Hawks.
The Dutchwomen held a 13-7 advantage in penalty corners and outshot the Hawks, 18-5.
New Paltz is back in action on Saturday, September 30, when the Hawks travel to Skidmore for a 2 p.m. non-conference matchup.
