After suffering its third loss of the season Saturday, the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team is looking to cement a statement victory Wednesday when it hosts Skidmore College.
The Thoroughbreds are 2-3 thus far, but are coming off a 3-2 win over Castleton University on Sunday. They fell to SUNY Geneseo, 4-1 earlier in the year, while their other victory came against Hamilton College Sept. 10.

Skidmore beat the Hawks last season, 2-1 in overtime. SUNY New Paltz had a slow start to the game and fell behind a goal early. It picked up its play in the second half, however, and Rachel Beam put away the equalizer, which ultimately forced extra time. The Thoroughbreds netted the game-winner four minutes into overtime on the first and only shot of the period.

Heading into their 2019 matchup, the Hawks have lost three of their last four games. Most recently they dropped a 5-2 contest on the road against St. John Fisher College with both goals coming in the last five minutes after the Cardinals already established a 5-0 cushion.

"This week we have been working a lot on possession, which is something we struggled with this past Saturday," said SUNY New Paltz senior back Sarah Swift. "I think all the focus we have been putting on it these last few practices will definitely help us going into our game Wednesday."

Despite the 1-3 record in their last four outings, SUNY New Paltz has out-shot the opposition, 80-54, including 57-38 on goal with 35 corners. On the season, Morgan Gunter leads the team with three goals, followed by Carly Croteau, Jamie Wagner, Shannon Bernhardt, Natasia Plunkett and Jessica Ascencao with two apiece. Ascencao and Bernhardt each had a goal Saturday against the Cardinals.
Skidmore has averaged just less than two goals per game, but has been out-shot 59-82 this season. Sarah Winters paces the Thoroughbred offense with two goals and three assists, followed by Carrie Hughes, who has totaled a goal and four assists. Gabrielle Vaccaro is the only other player besides Winters with two goals on the year. 

"Skidmore has a lot of speed on their attacking line and look to get the ball up the field quickly, so we plan to have a really strong press, denying them the paces they want," Swift said. "Our first line of defense is our forward line, so we look shut Skidmore down from the very top."

Jess Gaetgens has started every game for the Thoroughbreds in goal. The sophomore has faced 59 shots, making 34 saves for a solid .829 save percentage. She is 1-3 on the season, while Maddy Carre is 1-0 after seeing action in two games thus far.

"The loss this past weekend was unfortunate, but I think that game was a good learning experience we can take advantage of," Swift said. "Realizing what we had to fix in Saturday's game will only help us improve as a team. I feel confident we will keep learning and growing, and will make the changes we need to make to perform both Wednesday against Skidmore and Saturday against Rochester at the high level I know we can play at."

The Hawks are set to face the Thoroughbreds Wednesday at 4 p.m. out on the North Turf Field.

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