PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The 21st-ranked University of Rochester field hockey team prevailed 2-1 in a penalty shootout, edging visiting SUNY New Paltz on Saturday at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
 
The Yellowjackets (3-2), took part in their third straight overtime, and second shootout in the last seven days. New Paltz (4-1) suffers its first loss of the 2023 season.
 
Senior Bella Militi scored the regulation goal and connected on the game-winning shootout goal for the Yellowjackets, recording her first tally of the season.
 
In the shootout, Militi shot in the third round, putting the Yellowjackets up 2-1 after Zoe Conomikes opened with a successful try for Rochester. New Paltz's Angelina Regels scored in the shootout's second round for the Hawks.
 
After the Militi goal, Rochester goalkeeper Kara Houston stopped three more New Paltz attempts, preserving the victory for the Yellowjackets in the best-of-5 shootout.
 
In the opening quarter, only two shots were taken combined by both sides, but Militi's attempt in the 8th minute found the cage for a 1-0 Yellowjacket lead. The UR senior was able to slap a loose ball with her backhand from five yards out just past New Paltz keeper Gail Comiskey.
 
New Paltz grabbed some momentum in the second quarter, tying the game up on a Hannah Ackerman shot from the top of the circle in the 25th minute. Miranda Britton picked up an assist on the goal, which bounced in off multiple UR defenders at the goal line.
 
Late in the first half, another penalty corner led to a trio of Hawks chances in front. Rachel Tama's initial shot from out wide was blocked, and two follow-up chances, one each by Amanda Quenneville and Meghan Gunning were saved away by Houston.
 
Back-to-back penalty corners midway through the third quarter nearly gave the Hawks a lead, as Gunning deflected a New Paltz shot from the top of the circle up and into the crossbar.
 
At the other end, Jessica Unkel laced a pair of hard shots toward the cage in the next few minutes, but Comiskey turn both of those attempts away.
 
With under five minutes to play in regulation, New Paltz gained possession off a UR turnover and Tama fired a shot which found the cage, but it was ruled just outside the circle and did not count for a Hawks goal.
 
New Paltz seized early momentum in the first overtime, earning a pair of corners which led to three shots in the opening two minutes. Ackerman's blast went wide and Tama saw another attempt saved Quenneville took the third chance, sending the ball just wide.
 
In the second OT, Houston made a nice diving play to her right, stopping a backhand shot of Tama with seven minutes left in the game. It was one of eight shot attempts for the Hawks in the second extra session.
 
Houston finished with 10 saves for Rochester, while Comiskey made four stops for the Hawks.
 
New Paltz combined to outshoot Rochester 22-9, and 11-5 on goal. The penalty corner stats showed the Hawks earning nine to UR's four in the contest as well.
 
The Yellowjackets are right back in action on Sunday, matching up with 4th-ranked Salisbury University in a noon start at Fauver Stadium.