Shaking off a tough loss with a dramatic extra time win Wednesday, the State University of New York at New Paltz is ready to move forward, head back out to the North Turf Field and steal a win from No. 16 nationally ranked University of Rochester Saturday.

The Hawks (4-3 overall, 0-0 conference) overcame a late comeback from Skidmore College Wednesday on the North Turf Field. A few questionable calls and a resilient Thoroughbred team forced double overtime, but SUNY New Paltz rallied through all those obstacles to claim a 4-3 win. 
"Wednesday we were really excited that we could come out with a win, but we really need to take away that we were moving forward towards the ball every time and our passing was really [good]," said Hawks sophomore midfielder Jessica Ascencao. "So we need to keep that up as we move into our next game."

The next game is Saturday at home against the 3-3 Yellowjackets, who have earned losses against perennial programs, Christopher Newport, SUNY Cortland and Tufts University. The Hawks have never beaten Rochester in six matchups. Last season, the two teams met halfway on a neutral site at Hamilton College where the Yellowjackets earned a 4-1 victory. At the time, Rochester was ranked No. 10 in the country and played as such, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead with goals in the 14th and 18th minute. A penalty stroke by Ascencao cut the deficit just before halftime, but the offense stalled from there for SUNY New Paltz, as the Yellowjackets put away two more in the second period to come away with the comfortable win.

The Hawks hope to return the favor Saturday and earn their first win over the program. All season they've worked continuously on possession and finishing their opportunities in the circle. If they do both Saturday, they are confident they will walk away with their second-straight victory.

"On Saturday, we just really need to work on keeping our possession," Ascencao said. "They have a very aggressive high press, so we just need to make sure that we're working the ball out, staying composed and just holding possession the whole time."

"I think possession is a big reason why we weren't able to win some of our games," she added. "We have a bunch of turnovers, especially on our 16's and we're really working on that moving forward. That as well as finishing in the circle."

Senior Catherine Hauser leads Rochester with 11 points on the year, while also pacing the team with five goals. Sophomore Amanda Strenk follows with three goals and three assists. In net, senior Kate Kujawa has played every minute and totaled 31 saves on 67 shots faced for a .775 save percentage through six games.

The Yellowjackets average just less than three goals per game, while the Hawks have scored about the same with their offense picking up in the last few outings.

Ascencao, freshman Jamie Wagner, sophomore Morgan Gunter and junior Carly Croteau all total a team-high three goals apiece, while Wagner and Croteau lead the group with eight points each on the year. Mackenzie Mortimer will earn her second start in goal with Ryan Dowling sidelined due to injury. The sophomore from Fairport, NY came up with 10 saves in her starting debut Wednesday.

After Saturday's contest, SUNY New Paltz will have faced three top-25 ranked opponents, and although the Hawks are a promising group that returned the bulk of their roster from last year's NCAA run, they are still searching for a statement win to prove they are one of the best teams in the country. They are hoping Saturday will be that game.

"We think that we are very capable of beating some of the top teams that we have played and haven't gotten the outcome we wanted, and teams like Rochester that we'll play this Saturday," Ascencao said. "We just think we need to work on finishing in the circle and just really being aggressive and just putting the ball in the net."

SUNY New Paltz is set to host Rochester Saturday on the North Turf Field at 1 p.m.

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