Troy, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team went on the road and produced another commanding performance, coming away with a 3-0 win over hosting RPI Wednesday.
 
From the opening minute, the Hawks continued to press hard to win the ball back in their offensive zone, creating havoc for the Engineers backs trying to clear the ball. SUNY New Paltz earned its first penalty corner opportunity within the opening minutes of the game after forcing a turnover on RPI's defensive half. Jessica Ascencao found space to fire back-to-back shots but couldn't come up with the early goal. Shannon Bernhardt then helped her team to another corner after driving hard to the cage. Hannah Ackerman ripped a shot off the ensuing set play, but again, RPI was able weather the storm and get out of danger to keep the scoreless tie.

SUNY New Paltz finally found the back of the cage with about three minutes left in the quarter off a re-start all the way near its defensive circle. Ascencao saw Natasia Plunkett wide open down field and played a hard-hit pass that sliced through midfield and found the stick of the Holland Patent, NY native who then dribbled down for a 2-v-1 with her, Engineers goalie Jen Richardson and teammate Morgan Woolley who made a run down the middle. As Richardson came out to make a play for the ball, Plunkett centered a pass to Woolley who tapped in the score to put the Hawks up, 1-0.
 
"The two-v-with the goalie with Woolley and Tasia was beautiful," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski. "Jessie hit the long pass perfectly to Woolley and Natasia played with energy to get into the space. Definitely a picture-perfect play."
 
RPI's first real scoring chance didn't come until inside the final minute of the quarter when they earned its first penalty corner of the game. Mackenzie Mortimer came up big with a foot save, but the Engineers were awarded another ensuing corner. Mortimer stood firm, however, making another foot-save and then dove out to get a stick on the rebound to keep the shutout. 
The Hawks narrowly added another at the start of the second quarter, as Alexa Wentz's one-timer ricocheted off a stick and knocked off the cross bar and out of play. SUNY New Paltz continued its strong play on its press, won the ball back and was given another corner, but did not get an attempt on goal after the ball hit the foot of Plunkett in the circle.
 
Plunkett got her opportunity though not long after. Following another RPI turnover, this time in the Hawks' defensive half, SUNY New Paltz quickly moved the ball down field with Ascencao then earning a corner. Julia Cummings played the ensuing corner in toward Ascencao who hit a shot toward goal. Woolley gathered the loose ball out of the scrum in front of the cage and played a ball in front of net with Plunkett there to clean up and knock in her team's second of the day.
 
Woolley put the finishing touches on the 3-0 shutout in the third quarter. Shannon Bernhardt ripped a shot toward goal with Richardson making the initial save, but Woolley, in the right spot, put away the rebound to collect her second of the game.
 
The Hawks dominated throughout and handily held the advantage on shots (23-9), shots on target (8-4) and corners (9-5). Mortimer finished with three saves in 30 minutes of action with Ryan Dowling coming in for the final 30 minutes, recording one stop to aid in the shutout.  
 
"Tonight, we were focused on overall team defense and creating double teams throughout," Szablinski said. "We were extremely persistent, and our footwork helped us find success defensively. Attack did a great job with stretching their defense out and finding the space behind. It led to several scoring opportunities as well as fast breaks. Natasia continuously found a way to break doubles and generate opportunities below our attack 25."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Saturday when it faces its first SUNYAC foe of the year in The College at Brockport. The Hawks and Golden Eagles are set to compete at 11 a.m. in Brockport, NY.
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