Box Score POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Sophomore forward
Dani Ackerman (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown East) tied the single-game program record in assists with three, as the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team rolled to a 5-1 non-conference win over cross-river rival Vassar College on Thursday at Weinberg Field.
Alyssa Finck is the only other Hawk to post three assists in a game, as she had three against Ramapo College on Oct. 23, 2010.
Ackerman paced the Hawks with a five-point performance that included one goal and three assists. She provided an assist on each of New Paltz's first three markers and found the back of the cage herself on the Hawks' fourth goal. New Paltz made the most of its offensive opportunities, as it finished with just a 17-14 margin in shots.
New Paltz moves to 11-7 overall and completes its regular-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. against non-conference Kean University at the Turf Field. Vassar falls to 11-6 and squares off with Skidmore College next in the semifinal round of the Liberty League Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. It marks the Brewers' first-ever appearance in the Liberty League Tournament.
Freshman forward/midfielder
Kayla McKeveny (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) put the Hawks on the board just 3:27 into the contest, tapping in a ball from Ackerman. With just 2:28 left in the first half, senior forward
Danielle Conklin (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) knocked in a Ackerman pass that traveled across the circle, and New Paltz took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
New Paltz put the game out of reach in the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Ackerman-to-Conklin connection worked once again 1:30 into the new frame, as Conklin one-timed a pass from Ackerman for her State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC)-leading 21st goal of the season. Off a loose ball in the circle at 41:50, freshman forward
Erin Landy (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) dished a ball to Ackerman, which Ackerman sent to the top left corner of the cage. New Paltz completed its scoring at 43:28, as McKeveny fed Landy in the middle of the circle, and Landy ripped a one-time shot low past the Vassar goalkeeper.
The Brewers erased the shutout bid in the 54th minute, as sophomore Bianca Zarrella completed a long run and chipped a goal-scoring ball backhand over the goalkeeper. Vassar, however, was unable to apply the requisite amount of pressure needed to complete the comeback, and New Paltz earned its fourth straight win over the Brewers.
Senior goalkeeper
Antonija Pjetri (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) picked up the win, making a game-high eight saves in 64:27 of action. Sophomore goalkeeper
Alayna Wageman (Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville North) finished the contest in between the posts for New Paltz and did not face any shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Maggie Brelis turned aside three shots for Vassar in 62:36 of play before handing the reins off to sophomore goalkeeper Amreen Bhasin for the final 7:24 of regulation.
Both teams finished deadlocked in penalty corners with eight apiece.
