NEW PALTZ, NY — The last time the State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team faced Skidmore College was in 2019, when the Hawks tied the Thoroughbreads 2-2 in a game that went into double overtime. This Saturday, the two squads meet again in Saratoga Springs, NY for a 7 p.m. start. 

Though the history between the two teams has been brief (they have met each other just five times since 2010), they have played, for the most part, close contests. Outside of Skidmore wins of 4-1 in 2010 and 3-0 in 2018, just two goals have separated the two clubs. In 2014, the Hawks got a 1-0 win, while the Thoroughbreds returned the favor a year later winning by the same score. 

This season, Skidmore (1-1 overall) lost its first game of the season, 1-0 against Mount St. Mary on Sept. 3, but heads into its showdown with the Hawks off of a 7-0 drubbing of Mount Holyoke College on Sept. 4. SUNY New Paltz tied Sage 1-1 in two overtimes on Sept. 4 and lost 2-0 to RPI on Sept. 5, despite out-shooting the Engineers, 22-8 in the contest.

Hawks coach Mike Eckberg said the team honed in this week on weak points from the first two games, what he referred to as teachable moments. 

"The three goals against us in our first two games were all poor defensive breakdowns on our part," he said. "We've been focused on our defensive shape in the back line, having a sense of urgency in our defensive third." 

Rachel Eisert has scored the team's only goal of the season and has six shots on net. Although the team is creating dangerous opportunities in their offensive half, they haven't capitalized.With an 0-1-1 record heading into Saturday, the Hawks recognize they need to take better advantage of their scoring opportunities.

"Out-shooting RPI is great, but it didn't create the outcome we were looking for," Eckberg said, "We're developing the mindset of taking advantage of half chances and second chances."

On the defensive side of things, sophomore goalkeeper Kyra Russo said that communication is key going into Saturday's contest. "Our defense is very strong," she said. "It's important for us to work on the details of our shape and have good communication so we don't have a defensive breach like we did against RPI." 

The team, said Russo, has high energy and is hungry for a win, and feels that the team has strong points that can propel them to victory on Saturday. "We are very good at controlling the ball, making good runs, and we play solid defense," she said. All in all, the sophomore envisions a strong game. 

"I'm excited for a result that matches both our talent and our dominance," she said. 

The Engineers of RPI last Sunday provided a very tough matchup for SUNY New Paltz as an athletic and tough group. The Thoroughbreds provide a similar challenge according to Eckberg. The challenge, he said, is rooted in an athletic group that will battle the Hawks for possession. 

"It will be challenging," he admits. "It is important to understand how we rebound and continue to compound good sequences in our attack, and how we identify different attacking sequences, and try to be as unpredictable as we can going forward." 

Last week, the crowd in Troy provided the home team with a strong advantage and created a loud atmosphere. On Saturday, a 7 p.m. kickoff, both SUNY New Paltz and Skidmore will be under the lights. Eckberg relishes that opportunity. 

"It creates an equilibrium between both teams," he said. "Players thrive in environments like that." 

Junior centerback Katie Buquicchio, who has two shots on goal and came very close to a goal last Saturday, was excited to try and get the Hawks its first win of the season. She believes that shutting down Skidmore's forwards is key, and has kept the team focused on the task at hand all week. 

"Positive energy," she said about the vibe around the team going into the weekend's contest. "We've been practicing really hard. I feel like we're just getting better. We're ready."

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