NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Despite taking an early 3-1 lead, the Mount Saint Mary College women's lacrosse team dropped a 21-8 decision to visiting SUNY New Paltz. The Knights fall to 0-3 on the season, while New Paltz advances to 1-0.

Just a minute and a half into the game, Mount freshman Ela Igdeler (Islip, N.Y.) got the Knights on the board after finishing a pass from junior Kaileen Spadaro (Islip, N.Y.). Spadaro followed with a goal of her own just 15 seconds later to give the Mount an early 2-0 advantage.

After a New Paltz goal, Igdeler notched her second goal of the Knight with 26:30 on the clock to put the Knights up 3-1. Over a seven minute span, the Hawks ignited for a 5-0 run that gave them a 6-3 lead. New Paltz freshman Carissa Citro (Miller Place, N.Y.) and senior Samantha DelGaudio (Northport, N.Y.) each added two goal, while junior Brianna Horn (Wantagh, N.Y.) scored her second on the night during the run.

Igdeler's third of the night halted the Hawk's run and brough the Knights to within two, 4-6, before New Paltz closed out the first half on a 4-0 run. Horn netted her fourth of the net with 30 seconds remaining in the half to give the Hawks a 10-4 lead at the break.

Trailing by six at the start of the second half, an unassisted tally by Igdeler cut the deficit to five with over 27 minutes to play. Back-to-back New Paltz goals pushed the Hawks back up ahead by seven, however Spadaro converted a free position attempt with 24:37 on the clock to make the score, 12-6, in favor of the Hawks.

Mount senior Ellen Cashin (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) added two goals that sandwiched another 2-0 run by New Paltz. Cashin's second of the night was an unassisted strike that moved the score to 16-8 at the 14:41 mark. The Hawks closed out the game on a 5-0 scoring run that accounted for the final score, 21-8.

Igdeler led the Knights with four goals, two caused turnovers and five groundballs. Cashin and Spadaro each added two goals, while Spadaro also recorded an assist. On the defensive end, sophomore Molly Bauer (Levittown, N.Y.) caused two turnovers and freshman goalkeeper Lauren Beltrami (Islip, N.Y.) tallied 11 saves.

Horn led all scorers with six goals and three assists, while DelGaudio chipped in with five goals. Citro and junior Erin Tornatore (Glen Cove, N.Y.) each added a hat trick in the win. Senior goalkeeper Stefanie Mignone (Farmingville, N.Y.) totaled nine saves.

This weekend Knights will head to West Palm Beach, Florida for a spring break trip. On Wednesday, March 14, the Mount will face Keene State in a contest set for 2:00 p.m.