The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team is looking to end its season on a positive note Friday and Saturday, as it takes on conference rivals Fredonia State and Buffalo State at home.
The Hawks (4-11-1 overall, 0-6-1 SUNYAC) are looking to bounce back from a tough loss against SUNY Oneonta, and also put an end to a five-game losing skid.
"It means so much to us to end the last two games strong," said SUNY New Paltz senior
Julia Friedman. "Not only to redeem ourselves from last weekend, but we want to leave this program showing the underclassmen that we're not going to give up. We're giving everything that we have, 100 percent on the field and leaving them off on a high note for future season's to come."
The Hawks' season finale will mean a little more with their seven seniors — Friedman,
Katelyn Cordero,
Danielle Grossi,
Jackie Donaldson-Hawkins,
Gabriela Cabello,
Monica Rouse and
Shaye Alviene — being honored prior to the match.
"Even though this season really didn't go the way we wanted it to, we know as seniors we are leaving the team better than how we came on to it," Donaldson-Hawkins said. "I'm just excited to see the underclassmen prove to everyone how good New Paltz can be."
SUNY New Paltz will first go up against the Blue Devils (6-9-1 overall, 2-4-1 SUNYAC), who are coming off a scoreless tie against Plattsburgh State, but are looking to clinch their first win since Dec. 3.
Aleeya Clemons leads the team offensively with nine goals and three assists, followed by Abby Price (11 points). In net, Marissa Quimbly has started 14 games and has totaled 99 saves with a goals-against average of 1.67.
As for the Bengals, they are in a down year following a SUNYAC championship last season. They're 3-11-1 overall and 0-7 in conference play, and will try putting an end to their current four-game losing streak.
Lindsay Mahoney leads Buffalo State with six goals, followed by Victoria Colotti with four. Nicole Torres and Taylor Carillo have split time in goal and have combined for 68 saves and 31 goals against.
SUNY New Paltz is looking forward to competing with both, and ending with two wins on its home field.
"Finishing strong on our home turf would mean so much to everybody on this team," Donaldson-Hawkins said. "We know we are such a good team and we love everybody so much that we just need to prove to everyone that we are going to finish strong and give everything we got."
The Hawks are scheduled to take on Fredonia Friday at 3 p.m. and Buffalo State Saturday at 1 p.m.
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