For the final time this season, the State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team will hit the road to play a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) double header. The Hawks will take on the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State on Friday at 3 p.m. and the Bears of SUNY Potsdam Saturday at 1 p.m.

"We're really excited for this weekend," Hawks forward Sky Pedroza said. "We really want to pick up some wins in our last two games of league play to finish off the season in the right way."

The Hawks travel north carrying an overall record of 4-9-2 and a conference record of 1-5-1. Most recently, SUNY New Paltz fell to The College at Brockport on Saturday by a score of 5-0. The day before, the Hawks lost to nationally ranked SUNY Geneseo 1-0 in a hard-fought match. 

"We played a great game against Geneseo," Pedroza said. "They are a top team in the country, and we played well for most of the game. We hope to have a better result this weekend."

There are still a number of scenarios that could get the Hawks into the SUNYAC playoffs. The top six teams in the conference advance to the conference tournament. Three teams ( Geneseo, Brockport, and SUNY Cortland) have clinched a spot in the tournament. Currently, SUNY New Paltz is in ninth place out of 10 teams with four points. Two wins would give the Hawks 10 points.

With multiple scenarios, the simplest way to describe the action is that if any team ends up with more than 10 points, said team will be guaranteed to finish ahead of the Hawks in the standings. If Plattsburgh State, Buffalo State, and SUNY Oneonta pick up one win or one tie this weekend, they will all have 10 or more points and finish ahead of the Hawks because of head-to-head tiebreakers. 

If Fredonia State picks up one win this weekend, it will have 11 points and therefore finish ahead of SUNY New Paltz in the standings. SUNY Potsdam needs a win and a tie to exceed 10 points.

More simply, the Hawks will need two wins, and they will be rooting for victories from Oswego State and SUNY Cortland who both play Buffalo State and Fredonia this weekend.

"We're all looking forward to getting two wins this weekend," Hawks forward Jess Levinson said. "We're trying to finish on a positive note. Hopefully these two wins can lead us into the playoffs, and we're all looking forward to getting after it."

Plattsburgh State currently sits in fourth place with 10 points and a conference record of 3-3-1. Most recently, the Cardinals defeated the Lakers of Oswego State 1-0. Historically, the Cardinals have had the Hawks' number. SUNY New Paltz is 3-13-2 against Plattsburgh State dating back to 2002, losing its last four matchups. 

SUNY Potsdam currently sits in eighth place with a conference record of 2-4-1 and seven points. Most recently the Bears tied SUNY Cortland 3-3 to earn a point on the road. Historically, the Hawks have controlled the matchup against the Bears, winning nine of the last 17 games. However, SUNY New Paltz has lost its last three matchups against SUNY Potsdam.

For the full SUNYAC standings, visit the SUNYAC Sports website.  

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