The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team did not get off to the start it wanted. The Hawks traveled to Pennsylvania last weekend to take on Dickinson College and Widener University. Falling to Dickinson 3-1 and Widener 3-0, SUNY New Paltz came home winless. 

After the loss to Widener, Hawk's coach Mike Eckberg said, "It's an unacceptable opening weekend overall."

Now the focus turns to SUNY Old Westbury. SUNY New Paltz will take on the Panthers in a non-conference matchup Wednesday at 4:30. The game marks the first time the Hawks will play at home in 2019. 

"After our two away games and not getting the results we wanted, I think everyone is excited to be playing on our home turf for the first time this season," said Hawks senior midfielder Alex Wild. "It's crucial that we bring the positive energy we've had in training the past two days."

The Panthers will enter Wednesday's game with a record of 1-0. They defeated SUNY Cobleskill 4-2 on Saturday. SUNY Old Westbury finished the 2018 season 4-13-1 and missed the Skyline Conference Playoffs. The Panthers went 0-10 on the road in 2018, and they graduated seven seniors.

"It is extremely vital that we come back with a win after a disappointing opening weekend," said Hawks junior midfielder Tayor Filippone. "We are determined to keep reaching new levels, and getting a win on Wednesday is the first stepping stone to doing so."

After Saturday's loss to Widener, Eckberg stressed the importance of building on different attacking patterns to be more fluid in the attack. In order to create opportunities for the attack, the Hawks must complete line-breaking passes and communicate more effectively.

Wild said, "If we break lines between our defense and midfield all the way up through our attack, I think we will have the opportunity to be very successful in Wednesday's game."

Filippone added, "We have been stressing communication during practice. In order to succeed we must raise the level of communication between our back line and our midfield. It is imperative that we regroup and get after it."

The Hawks and the Panthers last faced off in October 2012. SUNY New Paltz won in dominating fashion, piling on seven goals and shutting out SUNY Old Westbury. Filippone, Wild and the rest of the Hawks will look to have a similar performance on Wednesday.

SUNY New Paltz is scheduled to take on the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. on the South Turf Field. 

To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.