NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – No longer is the State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team satisfied with growth alone. Now that 2011 marks the third year of the program since its reinstatement, the Hawks are eyeing the win column and are seeking their first State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) victory since 2002.

Last year, New Paltz enjoyed its winningest season in program history, going 4-11 overall. However, it marked the second straight year that the program went winless in conference play, which is a point of emphasis this year for third-year head coach Heather Semelmacher.

“We need to finish play in all of our SUNYAC games,” Semelmacher said. “We came up just short in so many games, and we need to learn how to finish.”

The recipe for success, according to Semelmacher, will be starting strong and playing consistently.

“We need to play together from the start and end the game playing together,” Semelmacher said. “We can't have spurts. We need continuous and consistent play from endline to endline, and we need to have great transition from the start of game from the midfield. If we don't have good transition, that's where games are lost and won.”

Chances are that just about every career record will be broken this season, and Semelmacher asserts that these milestones help motivate the team.

“It creates a great vibe for the program with them making history in the record books,” Semelmacher said. “On the other hand, we want to make winning history by showing great growth within the SUNYAC.”

The team this year is stocked with talent across all four classes, and Semelmacher envisions success this year on the field due to the level of play in practice.

“It's a different dynamic this year than what we've been accustomed to,” Semelmacher said. “There is so much respect within the team for people with great skill. Everyone has the mentality that the best people out there are playing and starting. All of them from the first to third string are working and competing hard to make each other better.”

This season marks a change at the goalkeeper position, as junior Stefanie Mignone (Farmingville, N.Y.) will assume the starting duties between the pipes. Semelmacher believes that her progress bodes well for the squad's success, as Mignone continues to develop. Junior Megan Douglass (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) will serve as a back-up goalkeeper.

The defense is anchored by three returners: sophomores Erica Cummings (Otisville, N.Y.) and Regina Bates (Farmingdale, N.Y.) and senior Gabrielle Dewey (Tully, N.Y.). This experienced defensive trio aspires to improve upon the team's 14.60 goals-against average from 2010 and is led by Dewey, a senior co-captain who drew 15 starts last season. Freshmen Kathryn Zhu (New York, N.Y.) and Maggie Rose Melito (Babylon, N.Y.) are new additions to the unit and expect to see playing time.

New Paltz boasts a smorgasbord of talent in the midfield, which is headed up by seniors Brittany Bennett (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Bridgitte Hooker (Glens Falls, N.Y.). Bennett, a co-captain, owns career totals of 53, 13 and 66 in goals, assists and points, respectively, all of which are among the top four in program history in each category. Hooker's athleticism was rewarded last season, as she scored 17 goals and offered five assists to tally 22 points on the year. In addition, Hooker scooped up 26 ground balls and won 23 draw controls.

Juniors Taylor Henshaw (Norwood, N.J.), Julia Donato (Fayetteville, N.Y.) and Krista Hannaford (Huntington Station, N.Y.) and sophomores Erin Tornatore (Glen Cove, N.Y.) and Brittany Hunt (Saugerties, N.Y.) all have put in the requisite work needed to fortify the midfield, and Semelmacher thinks that all four are poised for an excellent season. Freshman midfielder Talia Tesler (Rochester, N.Y.) and Douglass each have progressed quickly and hope to vie for minutes.

A capable nucleus exists at the attack position, as junior Samantha DelGaudio (Northport, N.Y.) and sophomore Juli Rehain (Suffern, N.Y.) come back after having prolific offensive seasons last year. DelGaudio, who counts on giving chase to Katie Sharp's all-time goals record (97), returns after competing on the Hawks' women's basketball team during the winter months. Semelmacher says that DelGaudio has stepped up her offensive game due to the competitiveness of the 2011 squad, and she has also become quicker as an attacker. Rehain found the back of the net on 19 occasions last year and should continue to pour on the attack this season. Sophomore Meredith Henshaw (Rock Tavern, N.Y.) saw limited action in 2010 but has shown marked improvement since the fall's non-traditional season.

Three newcomers fill out the remainder of the attacking corps. Sophomore Meagan Keller (Westbury, N.Y.) and freshmen Rashidat Soetan (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Mariam Ismail (Red Hook, N.Y.) all have shown rapid development and aspire to prove themselves on the field.

The Hawks' schedule offers many hurdles along the way, and the non-conference opposition provides the program with ample opportunity to tune up for play in the highly-competitive SUNYAC.

New Paltz opens its season on March 9 at Ramapo College before its home opener against Farmingdale State College on March 12. The Hawks take on Mount Saint Mary College on March 15 at the Turf Field, which will be the final home contest before a four-game road swing. After facing Smith College, Hartwick College, the University of Scranton and SUNY Fredonia on the road, New Paltz entertains Vassar College on April 6 and The College at Brockport on April 9. The blue and orange squares off against SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, N.Y., on April 12 and hosts the College of Mount Saint Vincent and SUNY Cortland on April 14 and April 16, respectively.

An April 19 meeting with SUNY Oswego in Oswego, N.Y., opens up a four-game road trip, which also includes games against Bard College, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Potsdam. On April 30, the Hawks will close out the 2011 regular season against Buffalo State at home. The 2011 SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament will occur from May 6-7 at the site of the highest seed.

Semelmacher's competitive non-conference schedule was set in place to give the team a taste of the elite lacrosse before the arduous grind of SUNYAC play commenced.

“We will warm up with regional games, and when we get to spring break, the competition level increases with Smith and Hartwick," Semelmacher said. They play teams in the SUNYAC, so it will warm us up for SUNYAC play. Those non-conference April games will get us ready for Brockport, Buffalo State and Geneseo.”

With everyone taking on a blue collar work ethic, the Hawks appear destined to exorcise the demons and win at least one SUNYAC game.

“This team has the best vibe that we've had the past three years,” Semelmacher said. “Their will and want to succeed is shown by them coming to practice everyday and playing hard. Something has clicked with this team since fall ball, and it has run over into spring. It's a great feeling as a coach.”