In the second of its four-straight games against nonconference opponents, the field hockey team lost to Stevens Institute of Technology by a score of 5-3 on Wednesday, Oct. 4. It marks the Hawks’ third-straight loss.
Fourth-year goalkeeper Megan Gangewere notched 18 saves, the second-most she has recorded in a game this season.
Third-year forward Serena Capsello, second-year forward Kaitlyn Gunter and first-year midfielder Carly Croteau all recorded one goal each. Gunter also recorded an assist on Capsello’s goal.
“I believe our nonconference games are just as important as our State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) games,” third-year midfielder Samantha Ackerman said. “It is important we take advantage of games against teams in other conferences because they truly prepare us for the most difficult and crucial part of our season, playoffs. We are so fortunate to play such great teams outside of our conference because they overall make us a better and more disciplined.”
Before their game against Stevens, New Paltz lost 3-0 to St. John Fisher College on Sunday, Oct. 1. This was the first ever matchup between the Hawks and the Cardinals and it marked the ninth-straight victory for St. John Fisher.
Gangewere notched 11 saves in the cage and Kim led the team with seven shots. Ackerman notched her fourth defensive save of the season in the game, which is the most in the SUNYAC.
“St. John Fisher is an outstanding team that hustled, shot quickly and overall played 70 minutes of intense hockey,” Ackerman said. “We are going to see everything we saw from them for the remaining of our season. I think this game can really prepare us for what we are about to see in the next couple of weeks.”
The Hawks next host No. 15 Kean University, who have an undefeated record of 12-0, on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. on the North Turf Field. It will be the team’s Senior Day as Gangewere, fourth-year midfielder Hayley Kim and fourth-year forward Justine O’Reilly will all be honored for their four years on the team prior to the start of the match.