After a convincing performance Wednesday to earn its fifth-straight victory, the State University of New York at New Paltz will face another tough test Saturday against conference rival SUNY Geneseo.

The Knights (11-2 overall, 2-0 SUNYAC), like the Hawks (8-3, 2-0), are undefeated in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play after defeating SUNY Cortland and Morrisville State.

SUNY Geneseo defeated SUNY New Paltz in the regular season in 2018, 2-0, but the Hawks had the last say after knocking the Knights out of the conference tournament two weeks later at home, 3-2. Overall, SUNY Geneseo holds the advantage in the matchup, 13-11 with the two teams splitting the last four contests.

"Geneseo is a great team," said Hawks senior back Sarah Swift. "They've got a lot of speed. They're really talented, great hockey I.Q., so we expect a really great challenge but I think we are prepared and we've been watching film so we know what to expect. It should be a good game."

Last season, the Knights handed the Hawks their first SUNYAC loss of the season. SUNY New Paltz's offense struggled in the game, unable to transition quickly from defense to attack and was held to just 10 shots in the contest, two of which were on goal. Its defense played well, backed by Ryan Dowling who made what was a career-high 15 saves in the outing. However, Geneseo snuck in two goals in the 18th and 57th minute to clinch the win. The Hawks made the necessary adjustments, however, when it counted most with a SUNYAC title berth on the line. Dowling again, played stout in goal, making 16 saves with Carly Croteau, Samantha Ackerman and Shannon Bernhardt putting away goals in the 22nd, 32nd and 66th minute respectively. SUNY New Paltz held on to the one-goal advantage to stay alive in their SUNYAC Championship race.
  "I think our history with Geneseo will definitely add some fuel," Swift said. "They're going to be coming out for blood just like any other SUNYAC team, so we expect it and it is going to be great competition."

The Knights haven't lost in their last eight games, and in that span collected five shutouts and out-scored the opposition 39-3. Their only losses have come against St. John Fisher, 4-2, which also defeated the Hawks earlier this year, 5-2, and No. 5 nationally ranked Vassar College, 4-1. The Brewers beat SUNY New Paltz, 5-1 in an early season matchup as well.

As a team, Geneseo has averaged four goals per game, while keeping opponents to less than one a contest. Junior forward Haley Clark leads the team with 10 goals and six assists on the season, followed by senior forward Erin Nolan with seven goals and an assist. Sophomore goalie Natalie Chojnacki has made 46 saves thus far, allowing 1.01 goals against with a .807 save percentage.

"Defensively we just need to stay really organized," Swift said. "We've been having great communication. We just have to keep that up and transition attack to defense, defense to attack, we just need to make sure we are doing it correctly and just working as a unit."

For the Hawks, Mackenzie Mortimer will make her eighth appearance and sixth start, as Dowling is still sidelined with an injury. The sophomore out of Fairport, NY has yet to lose a start, compiling a 5-0 record after making 33 saves on 45 shots faced for a .868 save percentage.

Sophomore Jessica Ascencao leads the team with eight goals and two assists, while sophomore Shannon Bernhardt follows with four goals and a team-leading seven assists. Freshman Jamie Wagner has added five goals and three assists thus far, while Croteau has totaled four goals and four assists. Ascencao, Bernhardt and Croteau all registered a goal or an assist in SUNY New Paltz's win over the Ducks Wednesday.

"Stevens was a really great game," Swift said. "We had great ball movement. We were possessing the ball. Our attack was so explosive. Overall we were just super organized and we implemented everything we've been doing at practice, so I think if we just bring that into Saturday then we're going to come out with a good win."

The Hawks are set to take on the Knights Saturday at 12 p.m. on the North Turf Field.

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