Syracuse, NY — The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) released its weekly awards Monday with the Hawks sweeping the field hockey awards, as sophomore Hannah Ackerman and senior Jessica Ascencao were named as the offensive and defensive SUNYAC/PrestoSports Athlete of the Week, respectively.
 
Ackerman and Ascencao were catalysts in a 2-0 week for SUNY New Paltz, which defeated FDU-Florham Oct. 5 before capturing an impressive, 4-2 victory over previously undefeated and No. 16 ranked SUNY Cortland to stay undefeated in conference play. 
Ackerman led the Hawks with two goals in a 4-0 win over the Devils, while pacing her team in shots (7) and shots on goal (4). Against the Red Dragons, the Nesconset, NY native totaled two more points for her team, assisting on what essentially was the game-winning goal off a penalty corner before putting the final touches on the win by scoring her sixth goal of the season to solidify the 4-2 outcome, while once again leading her team in both shots (7) and shots on target (4).
 
Ascencao, meanwhile, led the Hawks in all aspects over the course of their two wins this past week. She played exceptional defensively, totaling two defensive saves against FDU-Florham to preserve the shutout and two more against the Red Dragons to aid in their lowest scoring output of the season. Along with her work on the defensive end, Ascencao controlled the pace of the play up top as well and added a goal and an assist against Cortland.
 
The weekly honor is the first of the season for both Ackerman and Ascencao, while the latter collected her third of her career after being named to the accolade twice as a freshman in 2019.
 
The Hawks are back in action Tuesday when they take on another top-25 opponent in Ithaca College on the road at 4 p.m.
 
To read the official SUNYAC press release, click here.

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