Box Score New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team started and finished the game strong against visiting Oswego State (4-1-1 overall, 1-0 SUNYAC) Friday, but ultimately fell, 3-1.

"I thought overall our response in certain moments was good, but I thought we have to be a little sharper in our defensive third," Hawks coach Mike Eckberg said. "We need to be more opportunistic in our final third and recognize chances. Credit to Oswego, but very pleased overall."

SUNY New Paltz (4-5 overall, 1-0 SUNYAC) owned the first 15 minutes of the game, possessing the ball mainly in the Lakers' defensive third for most of stretch and out-shooting them, 3-0. But it was Oswego that broke the stalemate in the 44^th minute. Lynsey Roth found space just at the edge of the six-yard box, cut the ball back and put her attempt past Hawks goalkeeper Megan Tornatore (six saves) for the score.

Roth added another for Oswego in the 62^nd minute, blasting a shot about 25 yards out into the top left corner of goal.

"It's never easy in this conference, especially in the first game when everybody is 0-0," said Lakers coach Brian McGrane. "To come out and handle their best punch on the road, I thought once we settled in and got a goal at the end of the half really relived our stress, and then the early one in the second."

Oswego held the momentum with the 2-0 advantage, but SUNY New Paltz defense remained firm until the 81^st minute when Audrey Burbidge slipped behind the defense and put away the Lakers' third goal of the game.

"The system change was difficult. That is something that we need to work more on in training, but I felt as though what we trained and what we worked on is there," Eckberg said. "We just need to be more disciplined and have chances in our final third."

The Hawks never gave up however, battling until the final 90 mintue whistle sounded and capitalized not long after Burbidge's goal.
With SUNY New Paltz pressing in Oswego's defensive end, it allowed Nicole Ferro to intercept a pass just outside the box, turn and blast a shot that ricocheted off the cross bar, hit the back of Lakers goalkeeper Emma Allen (five saves) and into the net for the goal.  

The score ignited the Hawks, as they quickly got back to midfield to try and tally another.

"I actually brought it up in post-game," Eckberg said. "As much as it doesn't necessarily impact the box score I think that morale wise to recognize that in that moment and see the response that we had in that moment, on the field, off the field, it brought every one back in. Unfortunately, maybe a too little too late, but needless to say we are definitely encouraged by that type of response even though being down 3-0."

McGrane was impressed as well with SUNY New Paltz's efforts and happy with the way his team responded in their first SUNYAC weekend on the road.
 
"I thought New Paltz came out with a lot of energy," he said. "I just think once we settle in we're OK, but they gave us fits all game. They move the ball well. Their formation is a little different in terms of the diamond in the middle. They work really well and work really hard for one another. I think all those things combined and it being the first conference game and a road game maybe that's why we started [slow] but it had everything to do with New Paltz."
 
The Hawks are back home at 1 p.m. Saturday to take on SUNY Cortland, which defeated SUNY Oneonta, 1-0, Friday. For live updates and highlights be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Facebook and Instagram.