Box Score Alfred, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team dominated from the opening whistle Friday against host Alfred University. The Hawks garnered several chances early, but once they broke through in the fifth minute of play, the offense got going and piled on three more goals to propel the eventual 4-1 victory. 

"Certainly all the credit goes to the girls, putting forth the effort that they did on both sides of the ball," said first-year SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg said. "I think it just goes to show their preparation throughout the preseason and their first showing, but they know this is just the beginning. They have a lot of work to do moving forward."
 
On the counter attack, Monika Morasse found space just inside the 18-yard box and lofted her shot over the head of Saxon goalie Sammy Jo Shanahan (five saves).
 
"I felt like our forward movement from Danielle Grossi and Monika Morasse were good," Eckberg said. "It really kind of pulled their back line out of shape a little bit to create gaps and opportunities as we transitioned forward."
 
Morasse's goal ignited an offensive onslaught by the Hawks, who totaled just eight goals all of last season.
 
Jessica Levinson added to SUNY New Paltz's lead midway through the first half, burying her shot off the volley following a well-placed corner by Gabriela Cabello. Levinson then tacked on another 10 minutes in to the second half. She cleaned up in front of net once again following a dangerously placed corner kick in the box by Grossi.  There were several attempts on frame, but Alfred had trouble clearing its zone, allowing Levinson to knock in another to push her team's lead, 3-0.
 
"On our second corner Jess Levinson had a great volley off the bounce back post," Eckberg said. "Her second goal was more of a scruffle, but that was predicated more on the service, just putting it in the mix was really dangerous."
 
Grossi capped off the Hawks' offensive night after placing her shot over the head of Shanahan once more, with Rachael Brown picking up the assist on the score.
 
"I thought we did a good job of setting the tempo on both sides of the ball," Eckberg said. "The whole first half we changed the point of attack very, very well through our holding midfielder. I thought our back line was sound in their shape defensively early, and really limited a lot of their chances at least early in terms of transition."
 
However, what Eckberg was most impressed with was the way his team adjusted after losing some momentum at points throughout the game.
 
"It was nice being able to score early, to get that first goal by Monika and go up 2-0 at the half, but I felt like there were moments where our tempo slowed down," he said. "We really engaged, and did well to really re-establish the tempo moving forward."
 
Lexi Riffelbach put away the Saxons lone goal in the 83^rd minute, but the Hawks limited the scoring from there and secured the season-opening win.
 
Katelyn Cordero got the start in net for SUNY New Paltz and finished with four saves.
  
The Hawks are back in action Saturday, as they take on the University of Rochester at 3 p.m.