New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz closed out regular season conference play Thursday at home against Catskill Cup rival SUNY Oneonta. The end result was a 4-0 victory for the Hawks, who for the first time in program history, finished a perfect 6-0 in SUNYAC.
 
"In the program we made history," said SUNY New Paltz senior midfielder Morgan Gunter. "We've never gone undefeated in the SUNYACs before. As a senior it's just an amazing feeling, because this is how I really want to go out. This is how I want to finish my last year in field hockey. I want to go really far in the NCAA Tournament and win SUNYACs."
 
Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski has had talented groups in the past, including a stretch winning four-straight SUNYAC titles, totaling a 61-27 record in that span, but never in her tenure or anyone prior, has the program rolled through the conference undefeated. They did so Thursday in impressive fashion, capturing their seventh shutout of the year while also seeing a variety of players step in to keep the level of play high to close out the team's 13th win of the season.
 
"What's good is that when our younger players are getting on the field, there isn't a significant drop, but I think it's because when you train at a level throughout your practices the entire season those expectations are high," Szablinski said. "The understanding of what we're trying to do is crystal clear at this point and you're competing against the very best every day, and it's obvious when we do get onto the field."
 
 
SUNY New Paltz (13-2 overall, 6-0 SUNYAC) dominated throughout the contest and took an early 1-0 lead at the half but didn't come alive offensively until the second half of play when they put on 10 shots in the final 30 minutes.
 
"We talked about taking the space and shooting faster," Gunter said. "They weren't really pressuring us and we were passing when we really didn't need to, so we talked about driving to cage when we had the opportunity and just opening up the field and creating options off the ball."
 
The Hawks took the opening lead just before the end of the first quarter. Hannah Ackerman nearly scored on a rising shot off a corner, but the Red Dragons' Carly Waszcak got her stick up to make the defensive save but the play resulted in another corner opportunity just 22 seconds remaining in the period. Ackerman made sure to find the back of the cage on the second try, as Julia Cummings played in the corner to Jessica Ascencao who laid off a pass to Ackerman for the rip and her team-leading 11th goal of the year.
 

HALFTIME: @NewPaltz_FH leading Oneonta 1-0 #NPHawks #NPFH

— New Paltz Hawks (@nphawks) October 28, 2021

 
Although SUNY New Paltz did a good job on its press, not allowing Oneonta out of its defensive half for most of the opening 30 minutes, it couldn't equate the advantage in time of possession with dangerous chances on net. Szablinski talked to her group about being more aggressive in their offensive end and taking more chances on goal, and the result was a staggering third quarter, which saw the Hawks score three of their four goals with seven shots and four penalty corners. 
 
"We just talked about making better decisions with being more deceptive with the ball and making sure to recognize when we have the space to utilize it, but also giving more direct leads off the ball and continuing to add momentum onto the play," Szablinski said. "I think that was a significant change in the second half to take things at speed, but then make our leads not so linear to move more in a 45-degree angle and that made a huge difference — and to go. They were falling back defensively and that gave us room to carry. So, taking more chances in our attacking 30." 
SUNY New Paltz took just four minutes into the third quarter before scoring its second goal. Courtney Kruzikas got the play started, intercepting a pass in the midfield then taking her space and dribbling through to the circle. She fired a shot at Red Dragons goalie Kristy Campana who made the save but then was called for a dangerous play resulting in a corner for the Hawks. Ascencao scored off the ensuing set play with Cummings picking up the assist.
 
Jamie Wagner scored two minutes later to add to the SUNY New Paltz lead. Relentless attacking the cage, Wagner found her own rebound off a shot at Campana and placed in her fourth of the year to boost the lead to 3-0.
 
"Once we started realizing how we can be more affective with our carries, I think they continued to do that and the confidence was there," Szablinski added.
 
Gunter was the catalyst on the Hawks' final score of the game. The senior hustled down the sideline trying to catch up to a long ball played into space toward Oneonta's end line, and dove to keep the ball in play before quickly getting back to her feet and earning a corner for her team. Jenna Dangler made the defensive save off the ensuing corner, but off the deflection, Alexa Wentz found the loose ball and fired a shot that was deflected by Amanda Quenneville for the goal. 

"I think that says all the way down the bench we have fantastic players with amazing abilities. Everybody brings something special to the team," Gunter said. "There's no one here that doesn't deserve to be here. Everyone is amazing."
 
Oneonta was hit with back-to-back 10-minute penalties that bled into the fourth quarter and played the majority of the final 15 minutes down. The Hawks kept possession and maintained the comfortable cushion to solidify the victory.
 
SUNY New Paltz ultimately out-shot the Red Dragons, 23-1, including 15-1 on goal. The Hawks also had the advantage on penalty corners, 9-1. Ryan Dowling earned the start in goal and played through three quarters, making one save, while Mackenzie Mortimer closed out the win in the final 15 minutes.
 
With one game left in the regular season, SUNY New Paltz has sights set of making more history. The Hawks host Vassar Saturday in what could be a pivotal regional matchup with the team focused on securing the victory before going on in pursuit of the program's sixth SUNYAC title and a deep run into the NCAA Tournament. 

"Coach has said that she thinks we have what it takes to go really, really far and I think as a team we're realizing that as well," Gunter said. "The more we play together, the more we get that synergy going and the better we've been playing. I feel like we're peaking at a very perfect time, so I think we're recognizing our potential now."
 
The Hawks are set to host the Brewers on the North Turf Field Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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