The women’s soccer team traveled to Cortland this afternoon to begin SUNYAC play and fell to the Red Dragons 1-0 late in the game. New Paltz falls to 2-4 and 0-1 in the conference, while Cortland improves to 3-2-2 and 1-0.
The game featured tight defense from both sides with limited scoring opportunities. The Hawks had two chances to break the 0-0 deadlock early in the second half. In the 55th minute, freshman Elana Jaroff (Old Westbury/The Wheatley School) beat two defenders but her shot from 12 yards sailed over the crossbar. A minute later, senior Jennifer Anselmi (North Rockland) one-timed a loose ball from the top of the box that slid just wide of the left post.
The Red Dragons finally broke through in the 78th minute. Freshman Bridgette DeSantis sent a through ball toward the left side of the box that Jackie Deluise ran onto. Deluise cut across the box to the right, beat a defender and tucked a six-yard shot past New Paltz senior goalie Sarah Boccard (Washingtonville) and inside the right post. The Hawks had one final chance at the equalizer in the 86th minute. Jaroff was in alone deep on the left side but her sharp-angled shot was denied by Cortland sophomore goalie Pam Monnier.
Boccard stopped three shots for the Hawks as New Paltz out shot Cortland 14-8. New Paltz returns to action on Wednesday September 24th when they host their home opener against Manhattanville at 4pm.
