New Paltz Women’s Lacrosse Defeats Elmira, 13-7

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – After a closely fought first half, the State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team dominated in the second period to ultimately defeat Elmira College, 13-7, on Thursday afternoon at the North Turf Field.  

The Hawks rise to 2-1 and will travel to the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday, March 25 for a 3 p.m. contest. Elmira drops to 0-3 on the season.

New Paltz outshot Elmira 28-19, won 14 draw controls and made 12 of 16 clear attempts but Elmira held a 27-26 edge in groundballs.

Senior attacker Melissa Wagner (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley), senior midfielder Alexa Criollo (Queens, N.Y./Forest Hills), senior midfielder Nicole Gottschalk (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) and junior attacker Caitlyn Morris (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) notched three goals apiece in the Hawks' victory.

Gottschalk, junior midfielder Kayla Massena (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) and freshman Ashley Seiter (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Mount Sinai) each scooped up four groundballs with Seiter also causing three turnovers and Massena dishing out three assists. Senior attacker Nicole Stackpole (North Bellmore, N.Y./W.C. Mepham) added one goal and won four draw controls for New Paltz.

Freshman goalkeeper Kendra Dansereau (Chesapeake, Va./Cape Henry Collegiate) earned her second win in net, making nine stops in the crease.

For Elmira, seven different players each scored a goal for the Soaring Eagles. Sophomore attacker/midfielder Haley Baker fired off a team-high five shots while senior midfielder Kelsey Quail tallied three shots and scooped up five groundballs, as did junior defender Kelcey Crawford.