New Paltz, NY —Back in August, during its two-week long preseason, the State University of New York at New Paltz talked about taking each opponent as they come to hopefully build on becoming a November team.
 
On Saturday, the Hawks, for the first time in more than 10 years, are officially a November team. After handily defeating No. 6 seed The College at Brockport on South Turf Field, 5-2, the program will move onto the semifinal round Nov. 3 to face top seeded SUNY Geneseo to play in some November playoff soccer for the first time since 2011. 
 
"The win today feels really good," said SUNY New Paltz freshman forward Brooke Kelleher. "We've been working for it all week and the whole season. We've been saying since the preseason that we want to be a November team and today we proved that we can do that."
 
Kelleher was the catalyst in the offensive onslaught against the Golden Eagles, as the Smithtown, NY native, playing in her first SUNYAC postseason action of her career, delivered with the game's two opening goals that triggered a 5-0 run for the Hawks as they rolled to a first-round win.
 
"The feeling after scoring the two goals was insane," Kelleher said. "It was something that I haven't experienced before. It felt like the whole team was just encouraging everyone and it's what we needed today."
 
 
SUNY New Paltz took a quick 3-0 lead to start the game with Kelleher and fellow freshman Kelly Licata stepping up in their first SUNYAC postseason action of their careers. Kelleher got the offense started in the 11th minute. Gaby Treble won her team a free kick just inside the Hawks' offensive half, which was played short to Hannah Wellinger who sent the ball into the box. Brockport cleared the first ball, but the second was played over the top by Emma Voege to Kelleher who recycled her run and beat Golden Eagles keeper Kayla Usborne to the ball, chipping her shot over Usborne for the score.
 
Kelleher put away her second of the day 10 minutes later with SUNY New Paltz transitioning down field quickly following a defensive stop. The ball found Rachel Eisert who laid a well-weighted ball to Kelleher to create a 1-v-1 with Usborne. The Smithtown, NY native once again finished on the chance, slotting her shot over Usborne for the goal.   
"Brockport is a really tough team, and I thought our team did well to battle in 50-50's and make them 60-40's," said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. "The first goal was just the killer instinct that Brooke has to track down a ball and finish in a dangerous 50-50 like that. She's been doing that all season. She has been a real difference maker for us up top."
 
Licata then added an insurance goal before the first half whistle sounded. Mia Baldinger helped win a throw deep in the Hawks' offensive third, which was played short toward the corner flag. Licata got behind a left footed attempt to re-direct a cross near the six-yard box, but instead her attempt bent and found the inside corner of the far post for her first career goal.
 
SUNY New Paltz limited Brockport's first-half chances as the visitors tallied one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes. The Golden Eagles best opportunity for a score came in the 34th minute, as Hawks center back Katie Buquicchio accidently slipped as she was about to clear a ball near the box. Brockport picked up the loose ball and cut into the box, creating a 1-v-1 with goalkeeper Maddie Franklin who read the play perfectly as she came out and smothered the ball before the Golden Eagles got behind for a shot on goal.
 
Taking all of the momentum into the half, the Hawks wasted no time in piling onto their advantage as they began the second half. Eisert scored her team's fourth goal after Brockport had trouble clearing inside their box. Ally Donovan worked inside the six-yard box to put a shot toward frame, which was then rebounded out to Eisert who ripped a shot from close range for her eighth of the year just a minute into the second period. Dana Salinas added one more goal for SUNY New Paltz four minutes later, as Eisert laid off a pass for the senior who one-timed a shot top shelf for her second of the season.
 
The Golden Eagles found the back of the net in the 60th minute, as they played a free kick about 30 yards out short, laying off a pass to Lara Kanbur who struck a ball that went just passed Franklin, trickling over the goal line for their first of the day. Megan Gerber then capped the scoring for Brockport in the 89th to finalize the 5-2 outcome.
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot the Golden Eagles, 23-8 including 14-6 in shots on goal with Brockport slightly garnering more corner kick opportunities, 3-2.
 
The Hawks season continues as they travel to face the No. 2 seeded Knights Wednesday. Geneseo won the first matchup earlier in the year, 1-0. The winner will play the winner of the other semifinal between top seeded Cortland and No. 5 seeded Oswego, which pulled an upset over hosting No. 4 Plattsburgh, winning 1-0 in double overtime Saturday.
 
"Every game is incredibly difficult," Eckberg said. "Geneseo is very organized, and I think we all felt like we left a little bit on the table last time we played them, so I think there's an eagerness and excitement to continue this journey."

Post-Game Interview with Brooke Kelleher


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