Erikson Scores Twice, New Paltz Field Hockey Team Drops Conference Opener

ONEONTA, NY — In a game that featured three ties, Oneonta received a goal from sophomore Rachel Decker (Sherill, NY) with seven minutes remaining to give the Red Dragons a 4-3 win over SUNY New Paltz this evening.

Decker, who also had two assists, put home the game-winner three minutes after New Paltz sophomore attack Patricia Erikson (Massapequa Park, NY) scored her second goal of the night and tied the game at 3-3.

The Hawks (1-2, 0-1) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Erikson deflected a shot by sophomore midfielder Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ) into the air and out of the reach of Oneonta goalie Kelly Mohr (Danbury, CT). The Red Dragons (3-2, 1-0) responded 50 seconds later when junior Brynne Hoover (Walton, NY) took the face off and drove down the field, beating sophomore goalie Erica Engstrom (Montauk, NY) to tie the game.

Late in the first half, Decker set up Hoover for second goal of the game, giving Oneonta a 2-1 lead at the intermission.

New Paltz pulled even early in the second half when Wong finished a penalty corner with a blast from the top of the circle at the 39:37 mark. The two teams went scoreless for the next 20 minutes before a penalty corner goal by senior Jess Keller (Clinton, NY) put Oneonta ahead 3-2 with 11 minutes remaining.

The Red Dragons outshot New Paltz 17-9 in the game. Mohr and Engstrom each had five saves in goal.