The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey senior class came in as freshmen in 2018 and helped the program to its fifth conference title but hasn't duplicate that same success from their first year just yet.
 
Friday, with a win over SUNY Geneseo on their home turf, everything could be brought full circle for the Hawks and their nine seniors who have the chance to once again, for the second time in their careers, clinch the top seed in the SUNYAC playoffs in the hopes of pursuing another conference championship on their home turf.
 
"I think having the potential to be the No. 1 seed going into playoffs is huge, especially for our group because it really brings us full circle in the fact that this senior class, when we were freshmen, we were the No. 1 seed going into playoffs," said SUNY New Paltz senior midfielder Shannon Bernhardt. "We dominated playoffs and we won SUNYAC's, and I see that same thing happening for us this year."
 
SUNY New Paltz (11-2 overall, 4-0 SUNYAC) for the first time this season had a full week to prepare for Saturday's competition with its last game coming in a fairly easy victory over SUNY Morrisville, 8-0 Oct. 22. In response to the lull in action, SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski surprised her team by adding a late scrimmage into the mid-week schedule, playing what Bernhardt said is the "best competition" they could be facing with postseason looming. 
"Monday morning practice, 6:30 we all show up and we're all about to start our warmup lap and coach looks at us and says, 'guys, I picked up a game for Wednesday,'" Bernhardt explained. "And we all we're like, 'oh my god, who is it?' She goes, 'we're playing New Paltz. We have an at-home game, full four quarters [game], scrimmaging each other,' and that's exactly what we did [Wednesday]. We treated the scrimmage as a real game and it was really positive and productive, and helped keep the energy up throughout the whole week.
 
"Scrimmaging against each other moving into playoffs is one of the most beneficial things that we can do at this point, because we are our own best competition," Bernhardt added. "Every single person on the field is pushing each other to give their best, holding everybody accountable and making sure that we're playing exactly how we're going to play on Saturday with intensity and with an attacking mindset, and just really working together."
 
The Hawks, currently ranked fifth in the NFHCA Region III poll, are seeking to extend their five-game winning streak, taking on a Geneseo team with its own seven game winning streak on the line.
The Knights dominated Keuka College Wednesday, allowing no shots on goal for the first 45 minutes of play, cruising to a 4-1 win.
The series between the two teams favors Geneseo, 14-11 since it began in 2000; in 2019 the Knights defeated SUNY New Paltz, 3-2. The last Hawks win was during that fateful 2018 SUNYAC Championship run when they defeated the Knights in the semi-final game, 3-2.
 
Geneseo has been tough on both offense and defense, scoring 38 goals and allowing 14 against to hold a SUNYAC leading 0.90 goals-against-average. Leading the Knights is sophomore Katrina Clare (Barker, NY) — this week's SUNYAC\PrestoSports Offensive Player of the Week. Clare has seven goals, one assist and two game winning scores. With four goals and four assists each are junior Cassidy Sturdevant (Whitney Point, NY) and 2019 All-SUNYAC First-Team selection, junior Maggie Phipps (Fairport, NY). First-year player Emma Fon (Shrub Oak, NY) has three goals, two of which were game winners, while junior Isabella Vinciquerra's (Fishkill, NY) two goals have been game winners. Seven other Knights have scored two goals and four others have a goal each.
 
Between the posts has been junior goalie Sarah Quinlan (Williamsville, NY). In 13 starts she has given up just 10 goals for a 0.84 goals-against-average, with 56 saves. 
 
"Geneseo is a strong team," Bernhardt said. "Coming into preseason, Geneseo and New Paltz were tied for first as the No. 1 ranking in the SUNYAC. I think they will be a strong competitor. However, I'm very confident in our abilities that as long as we take a lot of shots on cage and work as a unit, we'll definitely be able to dominate and win this upcoming game."
 
The Hawks present an equally daunting opponent for Geneseo, as they've netted 47 goals and allowed just 18 against and tally an 1.38 goals-against-average, third best in SUNYAC. Leading the scoring has been sophomore Morgan Woolley (Blue Point, NY) with 11 goals, three assists and four game winners. Joining her has been sophomore Hannah Ackerman (Nesconset, NY) with nine goals, four assists and three game winners. Junior Julia Cummings (Mohegan Lake, NY) has added six goals, six assists and three game winners, while junior forward and 2019 All-SUNYAC selection, Natasia Plunkett (Holland Patent, NY) has seven goals and three assists and one game winning score on the year. Senior midfield/back Jessica Ascencao (Mohegan Lake, NY) — also a 2019 All-SUNYAC selection — leads the team with nine assists and has scored three times, while junior Jamie Wagner (Cicero, NY) and freshman Amanda Quennville (Centerport, NY) have each added three goals and an assist. Six other Hawks have scored at least one goal thus far.
 
SUNY New Paltz is fortunate to have two outstanding senior goalies, Mackenzie Mortimer (Fairport, NY) (1.82 GAA) and Ryan Dowling (East Northport, NY) (1.04 GAA). Dowling earned SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for her two shutouts last week — 3-0 against regionally ranked Ithaca and 8-0 against Morrisville. Both goalies have combined for a 1.38 goals-against-average and have made a total of 74 saves.
The Hawks are set to host the Knights Saturday at 2 p.m. on the North Turf Field. SUNY New Paltz will sport green during its matchup against Geneseo in support of mental health awareness. To read more on how to donate, click here.

Shannon Bernhardt Interivew - Geneseo Game Preview

 
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