ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College opened its 2022 campaign by falling to visiting SUNY New Paltz 3-0 on Thursday night.

The Hawks scored all three of their goals before the break, including twice in a 5:04 span  Sophomore forward Rachel Esiert, a second-team All-SUNYAC pick as a rookie, netted both of the quick strikes, while senior midfielder Siena Diaz-Colon accounted for the other tally.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kierstin Lynch (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) made seven saves for the Gators (0-1), while  forward Natalie Ricci (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), a graduate student, and sophomore defender Amelia Geesler (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) recorded three shots apiece.

Senior goalkeeper Kyra Russo and sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Franklin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) combined to make six stops for SUNY New Paltz (1-0)

Looking ahead, the Gators play at SUNY Plattsburgh on Saturday at 3:00 pm.

Notes: The Gators return 12 players from last season…Ricci headlines the dozen...She began the fall ranked 11^th in program records with 53 career points…Junior forward Marissa Key (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury), who registered nine points last season, and all three goalkeepers are also back.

Gator Day of Giving: On Wednesday, September 21, the Russell Sage College community will join together for our seventh annual 24-hour giving challenge – Sage Gives.  Save the date and help support more than 300 Gator student-athletes. For more information visit: https://www.sagegators.com/information/sage_nation/index

#SageNation