ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College women's soccer team lost to New Paltz, 2-1, in a physical, tense game at Ferrari Field on Wednesday night.

New Paltz had the edge in possession in the first half, outshooting Bard, 12-7, though the game remained scoreless for more than 40 minutes. In the 43rd minute, though, the Hawks took the lead. A throw-in to the edge of the box was flicked into the air by Katie Buquicchio (Deer Park, NY), and the ball landed in the box, where Kaitlyn Connolly (New City, NY) punched it in with her left foot inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.

Bard keeper Abigail Stanley was kept busy into the second half, as she continued to turn away New Paltz opportunities. Bard's chances weren't as numerous, but the Raptors did cash in on one great one in the 66th minute. Senior Julia Gibson blasted a long free kick from midfield into the box, where freshman Kehela Ventura fought off two defenders and chipped a lofted shot over the New Paltz keeper to equalize. It was Ventura's first collegiate goal.

As the end of regulation time neared, overtime seemed like a good possibility, but a foul in the box in the 83rd minute gave New Paltz a penalty kick, and Ally Donovan (Fairport, NY) put it away to make it 2-1. That's how the game ended.

New Paltz (2-4-1) outshot Bard (3-4) 24-10 in the game, and there were 31 fouls. Stanley finished with nine saves. Megan Tornatore (Glen Head, NY) made five saves for the Hawks.

Up next for Bard is its Liberty League opener at RPI on Saturday. Follow it live right here.