Box Score New Paltz, NY – In their final regular season home contest of 2017, the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team earned a 5-1 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Wednesday afternoon. It marked the team's first victory at home since their 4-2 win over SUNY Geneseo back on Sept. 23.

The Hawks improve to 6-10, while the Engineers drop to 4-12.

"The biggest thing is that we had to stay on the ball defensively and not fade off, and it worked really well today," SUNY New Paltz head coach Shanna Szablinski said. "We also really focused on moving the ball around the goalkeeper and not getting anxious and shooting it right at her. We were more disciplined and took more chances and we were smart with our opportunities inside the circle. We're happy with gaining this momentum for Saturday, and then ultimately for SUNYACs."

New Paltz got on the board just over a minute into the contest when junior Samantha Ackerman scored off a rebound that was initially shot by senior Justine O'Reilly. O'Reilly assisted another goal by Ackerman in the 11^th minute off a corner that was initially taken by Ackerman.

"I definitely think our team has struggled in the past with scoring early," Ackerman said. "I think once we get the ball in the back of the net early on it really sets the tone and gives us more ease, but going into playoffs we just need to have the mentality that anything can happen in 70 minutes. Scoring early created great energy that we really hadn't had in a long time, and it is going to be important that we still stay composed in the future when teams score on us first."

After senior Hayley Kim's shot was saved by the Engineers goalkeeper, sophomore Kaitlyn Gunter slapped the deflection into the cage at the 21:36 mark to make it a 3-0 game. O'Reilly made it 4-0 just before halftime as she charged down from midfield for an unassisted goal.

RPI broke up the shutout in the 39^th minute when senior Megan Jones scored off a helper from junior Mikaela DiBello.

O'Reilly responded with her second goal of the game at the 57:20 mark off a pass from freshman Renee Salerno. She now has 16 goals on the season and is tied with Giovanna Fasanello from SUNY Geneseo for the most goals scored in the SUNYAC. O'Reilly's nine assists are now tied with Anna Branch for the most in the conference as well.

Despite being outscored 5-1, the Engineers outshot the Hawks 22-19, but SUNY New Paltz held a 16-13 advantage in penalty corners.

Kim led the team with six shots, while O'Reilly was right behind her with five. Freshman Carly Croteau notched three shots, while Ackerman and junior Serena Capsello had two. Gunter's lone shot of the day was her goal in the 22^nd minute.

Senior Megan Gangewere continued her strong season with 15 stops in the cage, bumping her season total up to 193.

The Hawks will conclude their regular season when they travel to cross-river rival Vassar College on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.