Box Score New Paltz, NY – It was a dominating performance by the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team Saturday against visiting Morrisville State, as it opened up State University of New York at New Paltz Conference (SUNYAC) play with a 7-1 win over the Mustangs.

"Obviously to come out with a win is excellent and to have the opportunity to play everyone, just give everybody a chance to go out and perform, I was happy with that opportunity," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski. "I think we capitalized on some really nice plays."

SUNY New Paltz controlled the game from the start. It earned a penalty corner and took two shots on goal within the first three minutes before Kaitlyn Gunter gave the Hawks the opening lead.

Off a re-start on their defensive half, SUNY New Paltz quickly played the ball up the field to Kaitlyn Gunter, who then made a 40 yard run before dribbling into the circle and ripping a shot for the score.

A few minutes later the Hawks capitalized again, as Courtney Kruzikas played a pass into the circle to Carly Croteau who, from her knees, sent the ball in across to Gunter. Gunter one-timed the pass into the cage for her second score.

Sophia Urrutia made the score 3-0, capitalizing off a pass inside by Jessica Ascencao who weaved her way through a couple defenders before laying off the ball to Urrutia in front of the goal for the score.

"Today we had a lot of really great off ball movement and all of our passes really connected," said SUNY New Paltz sophomore Maggie Fox. "Just all the time we've been practicing, all the time in practice, we came out so strong today and played a full 70 minutes and it was really important to see everybody working so hard."

Morrisville State scored its only goal a few minutes into the second half, as Heather Cummings lifted her shot over the head of Hawks goalie Jessie Owens (three saves) for the goal.

Shannon Bernhardt then mirrored the same shot about five minutes later, as she took a pass from Samantha Ackerman off the corner and from just inside the circle and lifted the ball into the back of the cage to put SUNY New Paltz up, 4-1.

Bernhardt then helped extend the cushion not long after, dribbling her way past a Morrisville State defender and getting the edge on the end line before laying off a pass to Urrutia open in front of the cage. Urrutia one-timed the shot into the goal for the fifth Hawks score.

Rachel Beam got into the action as well, putting away an assist from Maggie Cottrell who played a nice pass toward the middle, which Beam got on the other end of for the goal. Sarah Swift then put the final insurance goal away for SUNY New Paltz. Off a corner by Sophia Urrutia, Kaitlyn Gunter received a pass atop of the circle and played a ball in front of the cage, where Swift was there to get a deflection on the ball to knock it into the goal for the score.

"I was really happen to see, especially Swift come out and score because she tries so hard all the time in practice and to see a lot of the girls that don't usually play get in was really awesome today," Fox said. "Getting our first SUNYAC victory was really important for us because we have a huge weekend coming up with Cortland and Oswego. To beat both of those teams would be amazing, especially on our home turf next week."

SUNY New Paltz out-shot the Mustangs, 49-5, in the game and held an 18-3 advantage on penalty corners. Mustangs goalie Morgan Dueber kept the game as close as it was, recording 29 saves in the outing.

"We opened up the field today well. I think inside our attacking circle, just a little more discipline and keeping our width so we have room to move in too, so I think it is a good start for the SUNYAC's and we're looking to take the momentum forward."

The Hawks are back in action Oct. 5 and 6, as they continue with SUNYAC play at home against Oswego State and defending conference champion, SUNY Cortland. 

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