Women’s Soccer Grinds Out First Conference Point

First-year forward Monika Morasse scored her second goal of the season against The College at Brockport on Friday, Sept. 29. Photo courtesy of sports information.

It’s been a rough go of things recently for the New Paltz women’s soccer team, who haven’t been victorious since Sept. 15-16 when they captured home wins against John Jay and Manhattanville.

The Hawks have lost four of their last five, with the exception of a tie on Sept. 29 at the College of Brockport that gave New Paltz its first conference point in more than a year.

Head coach Mike Eckberg said the team remains optimistic.

“We are pleased with what we have been doing in training and what we did versus Brockport,” Eckberg said. “Everyone is really excited to translate that [going forward].”

First-year forward Monika Morasse lit the lamp midway through the third minute against Brockport to give the Hawks an early advantage. However, it was all the offense New Paltz would see as the Golden Hawks were able to stymie the Hawks the rest of the way.

Brockport knotted the match up just over 30 minutes into the game, after which the two teams were locked in a stalemate. The game was hampered by inclement weather and went into double overtime before the match ended in a tie.

The Golden Hawks bested New Paltz in shots (28-13) and corners (12-3), but fourth-year goalkeeper Katelyn Cordero made 10 saves in net against Brockport’s five to help secure the point for the Hawks.

Eckberg said the team must keep the offense rolling throughout the game.

“We can catch teams off guard initially, but we need to sustain our attack,” he said. “We get chances which will help us convert and create more opportunities.”

The Hawks followed its tie against Brockport with a loss at the hands of Geneseo 6-1 on Saturday, Sept. 30.

The Knights kicked off the game by scoring five unanswered goals, including two from fourth-year forward Audrey Reid, her ninth and 10th of the season, respectively.

New Paltz finally got on the board just over 54 minutes into the game on a tally by fourth-year midfielder Alicia Fanni with help from fourth-year forward Danielle Grossi.

Third-year backfielder Rachel Walsh put the nail in the coffin for the Knights with a tally in the 63rd minute to propel Geneseo to victory.

Geneseo led the charge with corner kicks (7-1) and shots (27-3) while Cordero and first-year Megan Tornatore had five saves in net.

Eckberg said that he is pleased with what everyone is doing and the team is moving in the right direction.

“The character of this team is really starting to reveal itself and come together,” he said. “We are about halfway into SUNYACs and that is ticket for us to move in the right direction.”

New Paltz will next face off against Potsdam and Plattsburgh on Friday Oct. 6 and Saturday Oct. 7, respectively, before playing Western Connecticut College on Wednesday, Oct. 11.