Box Score Oneonta, NY — Through the cold and the rain, the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team persevered on the road to avenge its regular season loss against SUNY Oneonta Wednesday by knocking off the No. 2 seeded Red Dragons, 2-1 in the SUNYAC semifinals.
 
"I don't even have the words for it," said Hawks senior midfielder Hayley Kim. "It's such an incredible feeling. We've been [to the finals] before, last year we didn't go so this year it's just an even better feeling. Words can't even describe it. I'm just thrilled to be going to the SUNYAC finals."
 
After winning four straight conference championships — three against SUNY Cortland, which the Hawks will face once again Saturday — their season was cut short last year in the semifinals in an upset victory by SUNY Geneseo.
 
With a chip on its shoulders and redemption on its mind, SUNY New Paltz was determined to walk out with a win.  
 
After a scoreless first half, which had both goalkeepers on full display, making some key stops to keep the shut out, the Hawks got on the board first in the 41^st minute.
 
Off a corner played in by Samantha Ackerman, Hayley Kim received a pass atop of the circle, blew by a defender and took a reverse shot, which deflected off the stick of Justine O'Reilly and into the back of the cage.
 
"It was an amazing feeling," Kim said. "To just get the first goal and getting on the board right away, it was awesome."
 
The Red Dragons continued to press after getting down by a goal, and finally put one away about eight minutes later.
 
Sierra Palmatier intercepted a Hawks clear inside the circle and immediately put a shot on net. SUNY New Paltz goalkeeper Megan Gangewere nearly made a highlight kick save, but the ball deflected up and just into the top of the cage.
 
The Hawks continued to battle and earned a few counter attack opportunities with Carly Croteau taking advantage of her speed down the sideline.
 
After earning a few good looks on goal, Croteau finally capitalized in the 59^th minute. Croteau found some space in front and put a shot on Red Dragons goalkeeper Danell Jones (seven saves), who made the initial save, but Croteau stuck with it and knocked in the rebound to put the Hawks back up, 2-1.
 
"We did well together inside our defensive end we stepped up strong to the ball," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski. "We hit our outlets and transitioned to attack affectively. Inside the circle our forwards were taking chances, they were moving the goalkeeper and it ended up with two nice goals because of the relentless effort on attack."

The Hawks defense stepped up from there, holding off SUNY Ononta down the stretch, including with two corners in the final three minutes.
 
Kim, who helped put her team ahead, made the game-sealing interception on the Red Dragons end with a minute remaining to close out the win.
 
"We knew SUNYACs is a completed different game. It's about whoever shows up and today we truly showed up.," Kim said. "We had the confidence we needed, because we out-played them, we out-hustled them and we wanted to win today, and we did. We got it done. It's incredible. I couldn't be more proud of my team."
 
The Hawks and Red Dragons each garnered eight corners in the game and shots were evenly distributed as well with 14 apiece, but the Hawks held the advantage on shots on target, 10-8. 
 
"I think what was important was that we focused on second effort and defense from end line to end line, which really created chances and generated attack," Szablinski said. "We came up with a lot of 50-50 balls because we put forth a lot of effort and worked hard."
 
O'Reilly and Croteau led the offense with five and four shots, respectively, while Gangewere played big in net and finished with seven saves.
 
SUNY New Paltz will travel to Cortland to face the top-seeded Red Dragons at 1 p.m.
 
The Hawks are looking to avenge another regular season loss, as Cortland topped SUNY New Paltz, 5-0, Oct. 22.
 
"I'm really, really proud of the way the girls played today and I think it is great going into Saturday's game. We're looking forward to having another shot at Cortland," Szablinski said. "I think it is a great opportunity to get another shot at a team and we're absolutely in a position where we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I do think that is really important."
 
A win Saturday will give the Hawks their fifth championship in six years, with four of those wins coming against Cortland.
 
For live updates of that game follow @nphawks on Twitter and for additional highlights, videos, photos and more, follow @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook.