SUNY New Paltz Field Hockey Falls to Cortland

CORTLAND, NY — The SUNY New Paltz (4-9, 1-4) field hockey team fell to conference rival Cortland today by a score of 3-0. The Cortland Red Dragons (12-2, 5-0) are currently ranked number 10 in the latest 2005 STX/NFHCA Division III National Coaches Poll.

The Red Dragons scored first when senior forward Becky Osier (Morrisville, NY) got Cortland on the board scoring on a pass from Kelli Johnson (Elma, NY). The Hawks managed to stop the Red Dragons offensive attacks in the first half. Junior goalkeeper Nicole Kovac (Manlius, NY) stopped 15 first half shots, keeping the game within reach for the Hawks. The Red Dragons offense dominated the first half tallying 20 shots to the Hawks 1. In the second half of the game, the Hawks stepped up their play offensively led by sophomore forward Ashley Smith (Selden, NY) and senior midfielder Lisa Wong (Colts Neck, NJ) who each recorded on shot. The Red Dragons would strike again with 9:01 remaining in the game, when freshman midfielder Katie Johnson (Elma, NY) scored on a break away giving Cortland a two goal cushion.

At 2:56, junior Kelli Johnson (Elma, NY) would score of a pass from Kayla Chambers (Craryville, NY) to solidify the victory for the Red Dragons. The Hawks were outshot in the game 29 to three.

Once again leading the defensive efforts for the Hawks was junior goalkeeper Nicole Kovac (Manlius, NY) who registered 19 saves in the loss. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Anderson (East Islip, NY) collected one save for the Red Dragons.