Canton, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team waited 668 days to finally take the field once again Saturday.
 
Despite the wait, the team looked in mid-season form, opening up the 2021 season with an impressive 7-2 rout of Utica College at the St. Lawrence Invitational in Canton, NY.
 
"Having the opportunity to play today was amazing," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski. It's been 668 days since we last competed and we were locked in. Our team played well, executed on set plays and made good decision off the ball, which allowed us to transition successfully from defense to attack. I am really happy with the way we played — the energy and excitement throughout the entire duration."
 
SUNY New Paltz didn't take long to take a 1-0 lead. Junior back Julia Cummings registered her first career goal with freshman Hannah Ackerman tallying the assist on the play. The Hawks added another three minutes later when sophomore Sam Moran, playing in her first career collegiate game, registered her first goal as a Hawk to push the lead, 2-0.
 
Before the quarter ended, Natasia Plunkett took advantage off a SUNY New Paltz corner, played in by Cummings. Alexa Wentz sent a pass to Plunkett in the circle for the score that pushed the Hawks lead 3-0 going into the following 15 minutes. 
Midway through the second quarter, Wagner  netted her first goal of the season with the help of Ackerman who registered an assist on the play, to push SUNY New Paltz ahead, 4-0.  Sophomore Morgan Woolley added her first career goal nine minutes into the second half to give the Hawks a comfortable, 5-0 advantage.
 
The Pioneers broke up the scoreless run at the 40-minute mark, but SUNY New Paltz responded a minute later with a goal from freshman Amanda Quennville — also her first as a Hawk. Wagner put the finishing touches on a dominant day for the orange and blue, scoring off a pass from Emily McGovern. Utica's final goal came with two minutes left in the game, with the win already in hand for SUNY New Paltz.
 
The Hawks out-shot the Pioneers, 18-10 in the game and also held the advantage on corners, 8-5. Woolley led the way with four shots, while Ackerman finished with a goal and an assist in the win. Mackenzie Mortimer and Ryan Dowling split time in goal for SUNY New Paltz. Mortimer got the start and made two saves, while Dowling finished the second half and also recorded two saves.
 
The Hawks concluded the St. Lawrence Invitational Sunday against the hosting Saints at 11:30 a.m.
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