SCHENECTADY, NY — Sophomore forward Aileen Keaveney (West Hempstead, NY/Kellenberg Memorial) scored from midfield with 1:10 remaining in the second overtime to lift SUNY New Paltz to a 2-1 victory over Union College in the women’s soccer season opener on Saturday at College Park.
Keaveney scored into an open net with the shot, as Union keeper Mia Simone (Rexford, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) came up to boot the ball deep into the Hawks’ zone in the final minutes. The ball was blocked in a crowd at midfield and Keaveney took the loose ball and shot it over the Dutchwomen defenders. New Paltz pulled away with the victory despite being outshot, 16-3 in the contest.
The Dutchwomen had a chance in the final minute of regulation to win the contest, but a point blank shot by Chelsea Hargis (East Lyme, CT/East Lyme) was blocked by a back in front of New Paltz goalkeeper Sarah Boccard (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville).
Union opened the scoring at 8:22 as sophomore forward Ashley Brown (Plainville, CT/Suffield Academy) scored on a high shot to the left side of the net from 15 yards out. She received a corner feed from Stephanie Cronan (Marblehead, MA/Marblehead).
New Paltz tied it at 17:50, when first year Jennifer Moretti (Sayville, NY/Sayville) scored the first goal of her Hawks’ career. Moretti scored the unassisted goal on a free kick, with a high arc that tipped off the outstretched Simone to the keeper’s left side.
Boccard recorded two saves to claim the win for the Hawks, while Simone did not make a save for the Dutchwomen.
New Paltz returns to action on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at College Park where they will take on Rensselaer.
