ONEONTA, NY – Ashley Jablonowski (Levittown, NY/Island Trees) had a career-high 19 saves, but the Hartwick women's lacrosse team fell just short on Saturday against SUNY New Paltz at Wright Stadium, losing in overtime, 9-8. The visitors earned their first win of the season, improving to .500 at 1-1, while 'Wick is now 1-2.
The teams took turns scoring for the first part of the game. New Paltz's Tara Bovich opened it up by putting one into the net off of a Rachael Purtell pass, but Rachel Hedden (Burlington, CT/Central Conn. State) evened it up just over two minutes later. Amy Hofer put New Paltz back on top with 7:12 gone by in the half, but again Hartwick answered, this time via a Jennifer Darasz (Gorham, ME/Gorham) tally just 58 seconds after. Bovich scored her second of the game at the 18:22 mark, giving New Paltz a 3-2 advantage that was nullified by a GinaMarie Wilson (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) goal soon after. Emma Knapp (Canandaigua, NY/Marcus Whitman) finished up a busy first 15 minutes by giving 'Wick a 4-3 lead with 15:01 to go. Bovich registered the hat trick while up a woman and tacked on one more over the final 15 minutes of the half, giving her team a 5-4 lead at the break.
Bovich picked up where she left off to start the second half, scoring just 46 seconds in to make it a two-goal game. Hofer scored the fourth New Paltz goal in a row at 24:47, extending the lead out to three, the largest of the day. Hartwick was undeterred, as Wilson completed her own hat trick via goals at 19:55 and 15:57, once again making it a one-goal contest at 7-6. New Paltz's Ashley Seiter gave her team a little breathing room at 10:50, pushing 'Wick to the brink. Knapp came through in the clutch, however, earning and converting on two free position shots in the final six minutes to tie the game up, the latter of which came with just 31 seconds remaining. Neither team could get anything going by the end of regulation, and the game headed to overtime tied at eight. The extra period was a quick one, as Purtell controlled the initial draw, eventually leading to a Taylor Russell game-winner assisted by Kathleen Zito just 44 seconds in.
Wilson had the most impactful day for Hartwick, scoring three times on 11 shots, also controlling a game-high-tying five draws and fielding a ground ball. Knapp had three goals (on six shots) as well. Hedden and Darasz had almost identical games in the box score, each registering a goal on two shots, a ground ball, and a draw control. Jablonowski had a superb day in net, causing a couple of turnovers and fielding six ground balls in addition to her 19 saves.
New Paltz had a firm possession advantage, outshooting Hartwick 40-27 overall and 28-13 on goal. Turnovers were close, as 'Wick had just a 16-15 advantage. New Paltz had a better clear rate, at 17-of-19 to Hartwick's 18-of-24, and had the lead in ground balls (24 to 18) and draw controls (12 to 7).
Bovich stood out for the visitors with her five goals on 13 shots, also scooping up three ground balls and causing two turnovers, a team high. Hofer, Purtell, and Zito each had two points; the first tallied twice on five shots while the latter two had a pair of assists apiece. Seiter also had a nice day, scoring once on six shots, tying for the team high with four ground balls, and controlling two draws. Haley Timarky made five saves and had one ground ball in net.
Hartwick looks to get back on track on Wednesday, March 13 when they make the short trip across the street to SUNY Oneonta, facing off at 4 p.m.
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