The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team has one more non-conference match up on the schedule before entering postseason action and the game arguably is its toughest yet, taking on No. 6 nationally ranked Vassar College.

"It is awesome having this game implemented at this point of the season, because it is moving into conference play and also NCAA play," said Hawks sophomore forward Carly Croteau. "Having it here is the perfect time to re-collect ourselves and kind of group together what we've been working on the entire season, tying it together and seeing how it is going to work together as a team." 
 
SUNY New Paltz (10-6 overall) has trended up and down throughout its 2018 campaign, having high's of defeating defending conference champion SUNY Cortland, to clinching the No. 1 seed in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) tournament after earning a 2-1 double overtime win against rival SUNY Oneonta.
 
But, Tuesday's performance against Kean University was one of the Hawks' worst outings of the season. They're hoping to bounce back with a strong performance Saturday on their home turf where they are 5-1 on the year. 
 
"Great teams, they control the controllable's and that is what we need to take away from our game [Tuesday]," said Hawks senior back Samantha Ackerman. "We need to be in it to win it for 70 minutes and that's keeping our sticks down low, communicating, holding one other accountable and just really digging deep for 70 minutes."
 
The Brewers head into the game at 15-1 overall with their only loss coming against No. 15 ranked Christopher Newport in a tight, 2-1, match.
 
Like SUNY New Paltz, Vassar College has played SUNY Geneseo, Montclair State, University of Rochester and Skidmore College, earning wins over all, while each of those teams have handed the Hawks a loss during the year.
 
SUNY New Paltz is looking to hand the Brewers their first loss in 13 games, but will need to crack one of the stingiest defenses in the country. Vassar has totaled 11 shutouts, while averaging just .44 goals against per game.
 
Liz Rotolo has gotten the majority of work in goal, accumulating 23 saves with a .767 save percentage.
 
Megan Caveny leads the team in points with 30 (10 goals, 10 assists), followed by Emily Poehlein (12 goals, one assist) and Alyssa More (eight goals, eight assists).
 
The Hawks, after winning four-straight, has split its last four games, including Tuesday's 3-0 loss against the Cougars.
 
Freshman Jessica Ascencao leads the team in goals (12) and points (26), followed by Croteau (20 points) and Kaitlyn Gunter (17 points).
 
Ryan Dowling has played the majority of minutes in the cage for the Hawks, recording 111 saves, while giving up just 25 goals for a .816 save percentage.
 
The game will also serve as SUNY New Paltz's Senior Day, honoring a decorated senior class of Ackerman, Maggie Cottrell and Serena Capsello.
 
"Saturday is definitely going to be a little emotional for me. I can't believe I am at this point in my season and now in my four years is almost coming to an end," Ackerman said. "I am super excited because Vassar is an outstanding team and I think playing against them right before a semifinal game is going to be a great foundation for playoffs. So, I think we need to take advantage of this opportunity and really focus on playing really high-level hockey and working hard against Vassar."
 
The Hawks are set to take on the Brewers Saturday at 1 p.m. on the North Turf Field.

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