Rams Drop Season Opener at New Paltz
New Paltz - 14, Farmingdale State - 7
New Paltz, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State women's lacrosse team fell, 14-7, in their season opening game at New Paltz on Saturday. The Hawks improved to 2-0 on the year, while the Rams now stand at 0-1.
Trailing 1-0 early in the first half, sophomore attack Carly Schneider (Merrick, N.Y.) scored an unassisted goal for Farmingdale State, evening the score at 1-1. New Paltz answered with back-to-back scores, the second coming on a free position shot, to take a 3-1 advantage with 12:02 remaining in the half. Senior attack Justine Rothar* (Levittown, N.Y.) pulled the Rams within one, as she netted a shot with 7:35 to play before halftime. New Paltz outscored Farmingdale 4-1 over the final minutes to take a 7-3 advantage into the break.
Sophomore midfielder Brittany Hunt (Saugerties, N.Y.) increased the Hawks lead, scoring the first goal of the second half and her third of the game. Rothar recorded an unassisted goal 31 seconds later, but New Paltz would score the games next four goals, opening up a 12-4 advantage and putting the game out of reach for Farmingdale State. The Rams would eventually fall 14-7 in the non-conference matchup.
Schneider led Farmingdale State with a team-high three goals to go along with three ground balls and two draw controls. Rothar pitched in with two scores and two ground balls, while sophomore defender Jalicia Connell (Westbury, N.Y.) picked up a game-high five ground balls. Junior goalkeeper Courtney Cook (Deer Park, N.Y.) had 14 saves in the defeat.
Junior attack Samantha DelGaudio (Northport, N.Y.) had a game-high eight points (4 goals, 4 assists), while Hunt and senior midfielder Bridgitte Hooker (Glens Falls, N.Y.) had three goals apiece for New Paltz.
The Rams next will host Western Connecticut on Tuesday, March 15th at 4:00 p.m.
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