New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz won its opening SUNYAC game of the season Saturday after defeating visiting Oswego State, 4-1.
 
The Hawks were dominant throughout the 60 minutes and rarely allowed the Lakers into their defensive half, while continuing to regain possession in their offensive 25. They ultimately out-shot Oswego, 31-4, including 22-2 on goal with three of the Lakers' four shots coming in the fourth quarter.
 
"I think there was definitely urgency inside our attacking 50," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinski. "We were taking the ball at angles and at speed, we are getting some nice shots off. I think the next step is just a little bit more balanced inside the circle so we can come up with the rebounds versus running into the congestion. Four goals is a lot in a field hockey game, so I'm happy we were able to capitalize on our opportunities and we kept the pressure up."
 
Shannon Bernhardt quickly got the scoring started for the Hawks in the sixth minute of the game. Hannah Ackerman doubled SUNY New Paltz's total in the second quarter, finishing in front of net as Miranda Britton centered a pass into the circle. Bernhardt got on the board again, as SUNY New Paltz was awarded a penalty stroke late in the third quarter with Bernhardt burying the attempt top corner for her third of the year.

Britton then closed out the scoring for the Hawks, as the freshman put away a pass from Amanda Quenneville who beat her defender down the sideline, got endline and played a dangerous ball into the circle with Britton on the other end to knock the game's fourth goal in a man-up situation for SUNY New Paltz following a five-minute yellow for the Lakers.
  Oswego's lone goal came in the 54th minute of the game after being awarded a stroke of its own. Kaitlyn Mastracco stepped up and whipped a shot just underneath the crossbar, no chance for Hawks goalie Gail Comiskey to get to, which closed the gap to 4-1.
 
SUNY New Paltz had great contributions off the bench throughout the game, including from sophomore Emily Brown who earned her first career start at back. Britton in 33 minutes off the bench fired four shots, two on goal, while Kenzie Stack, Angelina Regels, Meghan Gunning and Ayden Fleming combined for seven shots off the bench. Ackerman led the game with six shots, four on target.
 
Comiskey finished with one stop for the Hawks, while Oswego goalie Erica Scheblein played strong and finished with 18 saves.
 
"It's good when you are able to sub in a lot of players and there's not a shift of the game," Szablinksi said. "I thought Meghan Gunning did a really good job coming in and Kenzie Stack as well, and Emily Brown, so it was good to see."

SUNY New Paltz improved to 5-1 overall with the win as it enters a big game against Kean University Tuesday which entered the weekend ranked eighth in the country in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll. The Hawks are set to face the Cougars at 4 p.m. at North Turf Field.

Game Highlights (play-by-play by Jozef Harvan)

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