New Paltz, NY – After a questionable yellow card left the State University of New York at New Paltz a man-down, leading to a game-equalizing goal by visiting Skidmore College, all Mackenzie Mortimer could do was keep her head up and make the next play.

The Hawks sophomore goalie did just that in her first career start Wednesday. Mortimer was the difference in the double-overtime victory, coming up with 10 saves, including on a one-v-one situation with less than a minute to play in overtime, pushing the game into another extra time period where SUNY New Paltz finally capitalized thanks to Christina Pedone's game-winning goal to cement the, 4-3 win. 

"I knew this was a time to pull through," said Mortimer following her first career victory. "I had made previous mistakes through the game, and I had to make up for it, so I tried to keep myself composed and my energy really high back there. I didn't want to go down with a bad attitude." 

Mortimer earned the starting nod due to an injury from incumbent Ryan Dowling and she made the most of her opportunity, coming up with three big saves in overtime. 

"It's really exciting," she said. "Although Ryan is going through a tough injury right now this is a great opportunity for me to grow as an individual and as a player. I'm happy that we won today and I think it's the beginning for me."
 

The Hawks gave Mortimer an early 2-0 lead less than six minutes into the first quarter. Carly Croteau got the offense going, taking advantage of a long hit near the top of the circle. Jessica Ascencao then doubled the cushion about three minutes later on an unassisted goal.

After SUNY New Paltz dominated possession in the first 15 minutes, the Thoroughbreds earned their first corner of the game about a minute into the second quarter, which helped propel their first goal of the evening.

SUNY New Paltz re-established its two-goal advantage in the third quarter off a corner of its own. Jamie Wagner played a ball into Bernhardt who lifted an attempt toward goal, which landed in front of Skidmore goalie Jess Gaetgen (17 saves). Wagner was there to clean up the play, finding the rebound and slamming it in the back of the goal to push the Hawks ahead, 3-1.
 

GOAAALL! Great goal by Jamie Wagner assisted by @shannbernhardt
to extend the lead to 3-1 #NPHawks #npsocial pic.twitter.com/sI4G0yJ4t3

— New Paltz Hawks (@nphawks) September 18, 2019

However, a slow end to the period allowed the Thoroughbreds to crawl back in late. Gabrielle Vaccaro from outside the circle played a ball back in front of goal, which took a slight deflection off a SUNY New Paltz defender and rolled just out of the reach of Mortimer to get Skidmore within one leading into the final 15 minutes of regulation. 
Both teams had chances in the fourth, but the Hawks came the closest with four consecutive corners midway through the period. One of which seemed all but in from a distance, as Bernhardt received a pass from Ascencao off a corner. She fired a shot destined for goal, but ricocheted out with the crowd and even a few players on the field celebrating the score. The referee called no goal, however, and let play resume.  

Arguably, the biggest call though, came with four minutes left in regulation on a yellow card handed to freshman Natasia Plunkett, which forced the Hawks to play down the rest of the period. Skidmore took advantage of the situation and with about two minutes left scored the equalizer to force overtime. Despite seeing its lead erased and frustrated with the calls, SUNY New Paltz never lost confidence in its ability and walking away with anything less than a win. Mortimer stood tall and played like a veteran for 10-plus minutes and the Hawks made sure to close out in the second overtime period.

"It comes down to confidence that we have in each other," Mortimer said. "We have to hold each other accountable and at the same time, we are a very resilient team. As soon as something bad happens we try to bounce back immediately."

Bernhardt earned a corner less than a minute into double overtime, which instigated the game-winning score. Pedone played a good service to Ascencao waiting atop the circle. She laid off a pass back to Bernhardt who fired a shot toward goal where Pedone was there to get a touch and re-direct the ball into the goal to solidify the victory.
 

And that's GAME!! @ChristinaPedone puts away the 2OT #gamewinner to push @NewPaltz_FH past Skidmore 4-3!! @newpaltz @SUNYACsports #NPHawks #NPHawksFH #npsocial #d3fh 🦅🔷🔶 pic.twitter.com/6nEyWC1M5x

— New Paltz Hawks (@nphawks) September 18, 2019

"This win was very important for us today, because we had previous losses in the past week and we really need to grow as a team and the only way that we're going to grow is if we make up for the mistakes that were made," Mortimer said. "Today I really saw that from each and every one of us. We stayed very positive and our press was nice, everyone was re-defending, we kept composed during bad calls and we followed our rebounds really well. I think today was just a really good day for us."

SUNY New Paltz held the advantage on shots, 25-16, with 21 on target, and totaled 15 corners in the game to the Thoroughbreds' nine. Croteau led the Hawks with nine shots, eight on goal, followed by Bernhardt with six and Ascencao with four.

Next up for SUNY New Paltz is No. 16 nationally ranked University of Rochester, a team the Hawks have never beat. That matchup is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. on the North Turf Field.

"The game against Rochester, it is going to be tough, but after the win today I have full faith in every single one of us that we can bounce back," Mortimer added. "Even if it doesn't go our way, I think we are going to uphold a positive attitude and get the job done."

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