Box Score New Paltz, NY – Both teams endured the cold and rain at Tuesday's contest, as the State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team hosted rival SUNY Oneonta. The Hawks (4-4 overall, 0-2 SUNYAC) got out to a quick two-goal lead, but turnovers plagued them as the game went on, and ultimately the Red Dragons (4-4, 1-1) came away with the, 17-7, victory.
 
"I don't think the weather conditions [played a role]," said SUNY New Paltz coach Keith Detelj. "They were playing in it too, so I don't think it is a factor at all. You can't turn the ball over that much. You got to be able to make simple plays and we didn't do that today."
 
Keydy Espinoza had early success in the draw circle for the Hawks, and helped capture possession on two of the first three draws -- claiming three on the day -- which allowed SUNY New Paltz to take the early lead. Emily Puciloski and Ashley Seiter scored back-to-back goals in the opening four minutes to give the Hawks the initial advantage.
 
SUNY Oneonta answered with a 4-0 run, which Taylor Casey started with 24 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the half, proceeded by goals from Jaime Morris and Lauren Bascelli.
 
Rachael Purtell put an end to the surge for the Hawks with 16 minutes remaining in the half and then added another following a Casey goal shortly after, but the two-goal differential was the closest SUNY New Paltz got to the lead the rest of the way. SUNY Oneonta ended the half with a 4-0 run, out-shooting the Hawks 8-3 in the last 13 minutes before the half, creating a six-goal cushion at the break.
 
"I don't think we put much together," Detelj said. "It was not a very good showing I would say. The only positive thing is that we got Saturday to go back out and get it again and see if we can definitely improve on this performance."
 
Purtell netted her team-leading third goal of the game to cut the deficit to five, but the Red Dragons won the ensuing possession on the draw and capitalized with a Sophia Calabrese free position goal.
 
As the game wore on, SUNY Oneonta continued earning possession off the draw, which hindered the Hawks' chances to mount a come-back. In the game, the Red Dragons won 18 draw controls to nine for SUNY New Paltz, which resulted in 20 more shots on net than the Hawks.
 
Puciloski cut the lead down to eight with an unassisted goal at the 7:54 mark, but SUNY New Paltz's offense stopped there, as it was hit with back-to-back yellow cards in the last five minutes to halt the rally.
 
Along with leading the team offensively, Purtell added three ground balls and four draw controls off the bench. Caitlyn Morris followed with a goal and an assist, while Puciloski went 2-for-2 on her shot attempts, while picking up a team-high four ground balls on the day. Ashley Seiter rounded out the Hawks' goal scorers with her fifth of the year, while also contributing with three ground balls, two draw controls and a caused turnover.
 
Nicole Sheintul got the start between the pipes for SUNY New Paltz and registered 13 saves.
 
Both teams had trouble handling the ball with the weather conditions, combing for 58 total turnovers with the Hawks totaling 33 in the game.
 
SUNY New Paltz will look to bounce-back when it hits the road Saturday to take on No. 12 SUNY Geneseo for a 1 p.m. game. Be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook for updates, highlights, videos, photos and more.