Although it is still early on in the regular season, the upcoming weekend for the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team could potentially have playoff implications.

Last season, SUNY Cortland bested the Hawks for the State University of New York Conference (SUNAYC) championship title and Saturday, the two teams will take on each other for the first time this season. But before that match up, SUNY New Paltz will go up against visiting Oswego State (4-4 overall, 2-2 SUNYAC).
 
"This is probably our biggest weekend of the season just because typically this weekend dictates who is going to host semifinals, SUNYAC's, all the playoffs," said Hawks junior forward Sophia Urrutia. "I think if we can come out with the wins against Cortland and Oswego this weekend it would be huge in getting us home field advantage for SUNYAC's." 
 
SUNY New Paltz is coming off its first SUNYAC victory Sept. 29 after handily defeating visiting Morrisville State, 7-1. The Hawks out-shot the Mustangs (49-5) and held the advantage on penalty corners (18-3) in the game, as five different players found the back of the cage.
 
"Some of the things that we took from that game was that we had a lot of shots on goal, but we weren't necessarily finishing, so we've been working a lot on balance in the circle, off ball movement and in addition, breaking out in transition and getting the ball up the field as quickly as possible," Urrutia said. "Working on that passing game, and I think that is really going to help us into Cortland this weekend."
 
Urrutia, who before missing out her sophomore year due to a foot injury, was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year after a breakout first season. She is back and healthy this year and is excited to have the opportunity to help avenge the Hawks' SUNYAC championship loss against the Red Dragons.
 
"I'm definitely really excited, especially after having to take a year off," Urrutia said. "I think last year was definitely a down year for us against Cortland and we're really looking forward to coming back and getting revenge. Kind of just prove our selves this year and showing that we can beat them and come out with the win."
 
SUNY Cortland is currently 7-3 overall with its lone SUNYAC victory coming against the Lakers Sept. 26. The Red Dragons have averaged more than three goals per game, while allowing just more than a goal against. Jess Gibaldi leads the team in goals (10), assists (7) and points (27). Kailynne Reinoehl has started 10 games in goal for SUNY Cortland, totaling 41 saves with a .745 save percentage. 

Oswego State (4-4, 1-2), meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from two SUNYAC losses against SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Cortland. Its only conference win came against The College at Brockport at home Sept. 22.

As a team, the Lakers average more than two goals per game and defensively have allowed more than three goals against. Katie Reynolds leads the team in goals (10), assists (two) and points (22), while Joanna Christman has seen the majority of time in the cage. Through eight starts, she has made 57 saves with a .695 save percentage. 

"I think we're very confident at this point," Urrutia said. "Still humbled, but we just beat Morrisville last weekend, 7-1, and that was a huge win for us, but there are still things we need to work on and we've been working really hard in practice and I think that is going to translate over our games this weekend."
 
SUNY New Paltz has scored nearly four goals per game, as freshman Jessica Ascencao leads the team in goals (eight) and points (18), followed by sophomore Carly Croteau (six goals, two assists) and Urrutia (five goals, one assist), while nine other players have registered at least a point on the year.
 
"I definitely see the potential that we have offensively," Urrutia said. "It's great working with the other four forwards on this team. Everyone is working really hard to get the ball up the field. We're moving quickly and we're creating that depth on the field, and working really hard on transitioning on to attack, so that we can put those goals in the cage."
 
Defensively, the Hawks average just more than two goals against. Ryan Dowling has started the last six games and has totaled 55 saves, allowing 15 goals against with a .786 save percentage.

SUNY New Paltz is set to take on Oswego State Friday at 4 p.m. and SUNY Cortland Saturday at 1 p.m. 

To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel,New Paltz Hawks.