The last time the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team hosted rival SUNY Cortland on the North Turf Field, the Hawks were hoisting the State University of New York Athletic Conference trophy. They avenged the previous season's loss in the title game with a 2-1 victory, and earned the second win of the season over the Red Dragons for the first time in program history.

On Saturday, the two teams go head-to-head once again with playoff seeding on the line. Both teams enter the matchup 3-1 in SUNYAC, with the two falling to SUNYAC undefeated SUNY Geneseo. The winner will likely earn the No. 2 seed, setting itself up for a possible No. 1 spot, while also securing possible home field advantage for the quarterfinals. 
"It's definitely been a topic of discussion hosting championship first round, because again, we do have home field advantage," said SUNY New Paltz junior forward Carly Croteau. "Our turf is very different compared to the other teams in the SUNYAC division, so having home field advantage would be ideal. But again, it is important that we come on to the field and focus on game play. Not just focusing on the win, but how we're playing together as a team. "

The Hawks (9-5 overall, 3-1 SUNYAC) defeated SUNY Cortland (12-3, 3-1) in the regular season for the first time last year. Since the two team's very first matchup in 2000, the Red Dragons hold the edge 9-15, but SUNY New Paltz has the advantage in postseason contests, going 4-1 since 2012.

"In the past our alumni often discussed the game versus Cortland because we do have this rivalry that is well known and it was often that we typically lost to them in the past in regular season and usually we see them in SUNYAC Championships," Croteau said. "Last year we made history and we beat them in the regular season on our turf and then we beat them again for the SUNYAC title. It is really important that we come out on fire [Saturday] ready to go, ready to play and make more history."

The Red Dragons lost a chunk of their offense from last season, graduating Jess Gibaldi, along with Jessica Welsh, but they still average more than two goals per game. Molly Quinlan leads the way with 11 goals and four assists, registering five of her points in conference play. Hannah Burchell follows with six goals and six assists.

Maria D'Amico has gotten the majority of time in goal for Cortland, totaling 120 saves on 209 shots faced, while allowing 18 goals against for a .870 save percentage in 15 starts.

After suffering their first SUNYAC loss against the Knights Oct. 5, the Red Dragons have won four-straight with their most recent victory coming Oct. 23 against Houghton, 3-0. Of Cortland's 12 wins, seven came in overtime.
"I expect for them to definitely be playing a different style of game. They lost a lot of their key starting seniors, but that means anyone can step up in their lineup and really put the ball in the back of the net," Croteau said. "They do have a lot of good freshman, but we do as well. We've been playing really well as a team and I know that we are learning from mistakes in the past and we're going to use this fuel to start our ball rolling as we move into championship game play."

For SUNY New Paltz, freshman Jamie Wagner paces the team in goals with 10, followed by reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Jessica Ascencao with eight to go along with five assists. Croteau has added seven goals and five assists thus far, including two goals and an assist in the Hawks' most recent game Oct. 19 against Morrisville State where they earned an 11-0 blowout victory.

Mackenzie Mortimer has gotten the last eight starts in goal for SUNY New Paltz, compiling 49 saves on 68 shots faced, allowing 11 goals against for a .817 save percentage with a 6-2 record.

Saturday's game will also be a "Green Out" with the Hawks sporting green and asking fans to also wear green in support of mental health awareness.
SUNY New Paltz and Cortland are set for a 1 p.m. start.

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