The State University of New York at New Paltz women's basketball team is looking to extend its winning streak to five this weekend, as the Hawks take on State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) rivals The College at Brockport (5-6 overall, 3-2 SUNYAC) and SUNY Geneseo (11-0, 5-0) in the Hawk Center Friday and Saturday.

SUNY New Paltz (7-4, 3-1) saw both the Golden Eagles and Knights three times last season, playing them in a home-in-home in the regular season and a win-or-go-home scenario in the playoffs. The Hawks went 3-0 against The College at Brockport, who lost leading scorer and All-SUNYAC forward Lindsay Johnson to graduation.

SUNY Geneseo was a tougher match up for the Hawks, who were unable to best the reigning SUNYAC Champions. They lost a tight game early in the 2017-18 season 58-56, and then fell twice in the Knights' home gym, including in the conference semifinals where SUNY Geneseo went on to win, 63-57.

"This is definitely a big weekend having Geneseo and Brockport," said SUNY New Paltz junior forward Madison Van Pelt. "They definitely have a big post presence and that is something that we have been struggling with. Me and Phil [Teape] will definitely be relied on, especially with having a lot of extra minutes due to our short roster. We just need to bring it this weekend." 

The Knights are undefeated thus far under first-year head coach Alyssa Polosky. They've earned SUNYAC victories over Oswego State (74-48), SUNY Cortland (67-53), SUNY Potsdam (82-43), Plattsburgh State (82-65) and Fredonia State (85-62). McKenna Brooks has led the team offensively with 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. As a team, SUNY Geneseo has averaged 75 points per game, while conceding only 52 points against.

"Geneseo has definitely been a rival. Last year we went 0-3 in the regular season and postseason," Van Pelt said. "We are just going to bring it. This is kind of like another start of the season to see who can take down one another. We're really excited and just want to start off the season right."

The College at Brockport has had an up-and-down 2018-19, as it heads into the game 2-2 in their last four outings, including losses against SUNY Potsdam and the University of Rochester – the former the Hawks defeated handily, 82-54 Dec. 1.

Emily Nestler paces the Golden Eagles offensively with 13.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. As a team, they score less than 60 points an outing, while allowing nearly 62 points agianst.

"Brockport and Geneseo are definitely big powerhouses in the conference," Van Pelt said. "We've been struggling in the post lately and that is what they are definitely strong at, so we've been practicing that in practice a lot."

SUNY New Paltz, meanwhile, is coming off a solid performance on the road against the Lakers, while having one its best defensive performances of the season. The Hawks made Oswego turn the ball over 29 times, while totaling 18 steals to help in the 21-point win.

"Oswego was definitely a baby step in the right direction," said Van Pelt. "We did force a lot of turnovers and we ourselves kept ourselves under control with Oswego's defense. That is definitely the mentality we have to keep going into this weekend. I know Lindsay Bettke and Taylor Howell are definitely doing a great job communicating from the back line to the front line to me and Phil telling us where our match ups are and just doing a great job facilitating and talking to the team."

Heading into the weekend Rachel Simon, Lindsay Bettke and Marion Dietz lead SUNY New Paltz with 18.1, 14.7 and 12.2 points per game, respectively. Bettke, a senior out of Pelham, NY, is just 63 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone and will be just the fifth Hawk in women's basketball program history to reach that pinnacle.

"I think if we lock down in the paint we'll definitely come away with two victories, especially since we have such an offensive powerhouse with Marion, Rachel and Lindsay," Van Pelt added. "We just have to lock down on defense and do what we've been taught to do."

The Hawks are set to tip-off against The College at Brockport at 5:30 p.m. Friday, before taking on SUNY Geneseo Saturday at 2 p.m.

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