NEW PALTZ, NY - Women's lacrosse falls in a mid-week matchup 17-6 against the SUNY New Paltz Hawks on Tuesday evening. 
 
Point Producers: Alyssa Specchio (Chenango Forks, NY/Chenango Forks) led Utica with two goals and one assist on three shots on goal. Other notable scorers were Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) who tallied two goals; Grace Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) had one goal and one assist and Courtney Fish (Albany, NY/Albany) who notched her first goal of the season. Grace and Specchio both have scored in all three games this season and at least seven players had one shot on goal.  
 
Makayla Purdy (Shirley, NY/William Floyd) started in net, making 12 saves.
 
Grace had five draw controls followed by Maria's four, Alexis Alteri (Clinton, NY/Clinton) had two and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) had one. 
 
Utica controlled 18 ground balls compared to New Paltz's 23. 12 players had at least one ground ball for the Pioneers. 
 
New Paltz finished the first quarter with a 3-2 advantage. Maria and Specchio scored two quick goals to tie the game at two, but the Hawks scored one more before time expired with just over a minute remaining. 
 
Both teams traded goals in the first eight minutes of play in the second quarter. Maria and Grace scored back-to-back, tying the game at five with just under seven minutes left in the frame. Nine goals were scored in the second quarter as New Paltz took an 8-6 lead into halftime.
 
The Hawks scored nine goals in the second half, securing a 17-6 victory. 
 
Utica (0-3, 0-0 Empire 8) travels to Oneonta State on Saturday, March 8 for a 1 p.m. start.