Hawks Fall To National Power Cortland

KINGSTON — SUNY New Paltz led 2-1 early in the contest, but then nationally-ranked Cortland took over, to cruise to a 28-2 women’s lacrosse win on Tuesday afternoon at Dietz Stadium.

Cortland (5-1 overall, 3-0 SUNYAC), which is ranked fifth in the New York region and 13th nationally, got six goals and an assist from junior attacker Suzie Gebhard in the contest.

Four of Gerhard’s six scores came consecutively in an eight-minute stretch of the second half. The Red Dragons also received five goals each from sophomore Lauren Kelly and junior Jeanna Angotti, and got three goals from Brooke VandeWalker.

For New Paltz, freshman wing Justine Trybendis had her first collegiate goal and university all-time leading scorer Katie Sharp (59 career points) extended her scoring streak to 11 matches.

Former standout women’s soccer goalkeeper and current lacrosse field player Laura Neander made 19 saves in place of usual starter Liz Clarke, who missed the contest due to illness.

New Paltz (0-6 overall, 0-3 SUNYAC) will be right back in action at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Manhattanville.

COLLEGIATE WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Cortland 28, New Paltz 2

Scoring (Goals-Assists):

Cortland – Suzie Gebhard 6-1, Lauren Kelly 5-1, Jeanna Angotti 5-0, Megan Stevens 2-3, Brooke VandeWalker 3-1, Liz MacNabb 1-3, Sara Gorman 2-1, Keri Laurenzo 1-2, Kristine Harris 1-0, Carly Peters 1-0, Mandy Smock 1-0.

New Paltz – Katie Sharp 1-0, Justine Trybendis 1-0, Tara Dlouhy 0-1.

Shots on Goal: Cortland 54, New Paltz 5.

Draw Controls: Cortland 17, New Paltz 13.

Ground Balls: Cortland 22, New Paltz 17.

Saves: Cortland (Tara VanValkenburgh 0 sv; Patricia Kesicki 2 sv) 2, New Paltz (Laura Neander) 19.

Team Records: Cortland 5-1 overall, 3-0 SUNYAC; New Paltz 0-6 overall, 0-3 SUNYAC.