The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team concludes its regular season at home on the North Turf Field against Ithaca College Saturday. The Hawks will honor their four seniors, Rachel Beam, Kaitlyn Gunter, Sarah Swift and Sophia Urrutia prior to the game, while also looking to clinch a solid victory over a perennial program like the Bombers.
 
"It's definitely bitter sweet knowing that this could be our last game on this field as seniors, but hopefully we win SUNYAC's and if Oneonta upsets Geneseo then we're looking to host SUNYAC's here," said Beam.  The Hawks are four days removed from their last win on their home turf after beating Catskill Cup rival SUNY Oneonta Wednesday, 4-2. Sophomore Jessica Ascencao and freshman Jamie Wagner led SUNY New Paltz offensively, combining for eight points in the contest. Three unanswered goals scored in the third quarter propelled the victory, with the Hawks withstanding an early fourth quarter goal by the Red Dragons.
  
The Bombers and Hawks have had 10 common opponents in Utica College, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Geneseo, St. John Fisher College, RPI, Vassar College, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Oneonta and the University of Rochester. Ithaca went 5-5 in those games, earning victories over the Pioneers, the Engineers, Saints, Yellowjackets and the No. 5 Brewers. SUNY New Paltz, meanwhile, has gone 6-4 against the same opposition with victories over Utica, St. Lawrence, RPI, Skidmore, Rochester and Oneonta.

"We expect a good game," Beam said. "We're hoping that going into SUNYAC's we want to be challenged, we're looking for good competition and it is a good chance for us to work on the field during the game on what we have been improving on and take what we have been doing in practice into the game and go into SUNYAC's strong."
 
Ithaca most recently is coming off a victory over the Yellowjackets, earning a 2-1 win Oct. 27. The Bombers will also play their last game Saturday, as they prepare for their conference playoffs.
Heading into the matchup, Ithaca averages just more than two goals per game, while defensively allow a minimal 1.18 goals a contest. Senior Savanna Lenker leads the team between the pipes, totaling 109 saves on 188 shots faced for a .823 save percentage and an 11-6 record. Offensively, sophomore Morgan Mullen paces the team with 13 goals and two assists, while sophomore Jacqueline Mirabile follows with six goals in nine starts.
 
"Winning on Saturday and taking that momentum into playoffs is going to be big for us," Beam added. "We want to prolong the season as long as possible. We're here to play until Nov. 24. That is what we're looking to do. We're looking to go all the way and we're taking it day-by-day and team-by-team, and we're just going to come out on top."
 
The Hawks are set to take on the Bombers at 1 p.m. Saturday. To watch live and follow along with live stats, click here.

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