Hawks Earn 3-2 Win Over Tournament Host Drew

By Monica D’Ippolito

MADISON, NJ — The State University of New York at New Paltz came away with a 3-2 win Sunday on the road against tournament host Drew University.

SUNY New Paltz, coming off a 0-0 tie in the opening game of the Drew Fall Festival Saturday against Stockton, put away a season-high three goals off 14 shots against the Rangers Sunday including two early to start the game.

Gaby Treble got the offense started for the Hawks, scoring in the ninth minute off an assist by Rachel Eisert. Eisert then brought the lead to 2-0, finishing off a set piece played in by Alexis DeLeo.

Drew came back in the second half, scoring two goals in the 56th and 65th minute. The first coming off a set piece with Maddie Franklin (three saves) getting a hand on the initial attempt but the Rangers were there to put the rebound in the back of the net. The second came in the run of play, as Alexa Krause re-directed a cross toward goal Franklin couldn’t get behind to tie the game at 2-2.

The Hawks quickly answered, however, as they earned another set piece in their offensive third. DeLeo played another good-looking ball in toward the box and Katie Buquicchio got on the other end for the go-ahead score.

SUNY New Paltz held on for the remaining 20 minutes to improve its record to 2-2-1 on the year.

“Tough weekend to not come away with both results when you are out-shooting and outplaying your opponent,” said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. “On a back-to-back weekend to win after giving up a 2-0 lead shows our players grit, ability to respond and persevere.”

Eisert led the way with five shots, three on target, finishing with a goal and assist in 42 minutes of action. Treble followed with two shots in 59 minutes, while Jess Funke had two attempts with the center back playing a full 90 minutes.

“The savviness, possession, ability to break lines was excellent,” Eckberg added. “We need to be more clinical in the final third. Recognizing half chances and capitalizing.”

SUNY New Paltz is back in action Wednesday as the team heads to Newburgh to face Mount Saint Mary College for a 7 p.m. match before coming back home Sept. 16 to host Manhattanville at 1 p.m.