For a team that totaled just eight goals a season ago, the State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team's offense has come alive in 2017.

The Hawks have amassed 21 goals through their first 12 games, which has helped the team compile a respectable, 4-7-1 record heading into their last road SUNYAC weekend against SUNY Potsdam and Plattsburgh State.

SUNY New Paltz (4-7-1 overall, 0-3-1 SUNYAC) worked on finishing all week at practice. The Hawks feel as though if they can carry over their work during training they will see positive results come Friday and Saturday.

"We've been working on our attack a lot, just building up the field," said SUNY New Paltz freshman forward Monika Morasse, who netted her team's lone goal against The College at Brockport this past weekend. "We've had a lot more chances on net. We just have to really finish them, especially this weekend with some tough competition coming up."

Morasse helped the Hawks earn their first point in conference play in nearly two years after finding the back of the net just three minutes into the match against the Golden Eagles. According to senior midfield Nicole Ferro, SUNY New Paltz will need to continue its strong play at the start of games in order to earn positive results in SUNYAC play.

"All week in practice we've been working on keeping our tempo up, starting out really aggressive, keeping a really high energy, because Friday against Brockport we really shocked them," she said. "We know if we come out strong in the beginning we're going to catch teams on their heels and get some goals early."

The Hawks are going up against two teams who have let up an average of about a goal per game in the Bears and Cardinals.

SUNY Potsdam (8-2-2 overall, 2-0-1 SUNYAC) is coming off a 2-0 weekend against SUNY Cortland and Oswego State. The Bears are led offensively by, Brooke Falsion (19 points) and Rylie Murray (17 points). Defensively, Gabby Hobika and Delphine Leonard have split time in net, with Hobika going 4-1 in five starts and Leonard, 4-1-2 in seven starts. They have combined to give up just 14 goals this season.

Plattsburgh State will cap off its three-game week with the Hawks Saturday. It defeated The Sage Colleges on Wednesday, 3-1, before sweeping its latest SUNYAC weekend against the Lakers and Red Dragons to scores of 2-0 and 3-1.

The Cardinals are led offensively by Madeline Saccocio who has totaled 12 goals and four assists, while Nichole Gibson has accumulated 47 saves for a .835 save percentage in net.

"I know if we come out with a win against either of them, even both, it would mean so much to the seniors and everyone on team, it would be a big time win for us," said Ferro. "It would be a pivotal moment for our season and going into playoffs hopefully."

SUNY New Paltz is set to take on SUNY Potsdam Friday at 3 p.m. and Plattsburgh State Saturday at 1 p.m.

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