New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz rolled to an 11-0 win over Morrisville State Saturday in the team's final home game of the regular season.
 
The team celebrated its three graduating seniors, back Julia Cummings, midfielder Shannon Bernhardt and forward Natasia Plunkett, prior to the game with all three contributing in the convincing SUNYAC victory.
 
"Earning any win is the best feeling ever, but having it be on Senior Day and on a beautiful day, our entire team being able to get on the field makes it that much sweeter," Bernhardt said.
 
The Mustangs played with just eight players due to their small roster and they didn't have a chance against a deep Hawks team. SUNY New Paltz led 5-0 after the first quarter alone with Amanda Quenneville getting the scoring started two minutes into the game. She finished with two goals on the day with Bernhardt assisting on both scores.
 
Plunkett was the catalyst offensively, finishing with a career-high four goals, which tied for second most in single-game Hawks history, while her eight points on the day tied her for third most in a single-game, while elevating herself to sixth all-time in career goals.
 
 
"It feels really great to have everyone on the field, especially for [a SUNYAC game] and especially for Senior Day," Plunkett said. "Having everyone out there on the field, working the ball and playing good field hockey it's great to see. We talked about the sideline, and that is the future of NPFH so it's great to see them doing great things right away."
 
SUNY New Paltz had contributions from everyone on the bench with freshman Ayden Fleming scoring her first collegiate goal in the first quarter and freshman Meghan Gunning getting in on the action with her first assist of the season.
 
Hannah Ackerman registered two assists, while Quenneville finished with two goals and an assist. Angelina Regels also totaled two assists, while Miranda Britton added two goals, Rachel Tama recorded one goal, one assist, Bernhardt finished with one goal and three assists, while Madeline Meyer also added an assist.
 
"Today's game made it super evident that even though the three of us will be leaving after this season, we're leaving the New Paltz Field Hockey program in really great hands and the team will continue to thrive and be a competitive, strong program," Bernhardt added.
 
The Hawks out-shot Morrisville, 72-0 with 51 shots on goal and had 23 penalty corners to the Mustangs zero. Gail Comiskey earned her first start and win but was not tested in the game. Morrisville goalie Morgan Dueber registered 30 saves.
 
"I just hope we can continue our intensity for the whole 60 minutes of every game," Cummings said. "We do have a tough schedule coming up and I think it's really important that we focus on that throughout training and then bringing that into future games."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action Tuesday when it hits the road to face Hartwick at 7 p.m.


Post-Game interview with Seniors Shannon Bernhardt, Julia Cummings and Natasia Plunkett

***********************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.