The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team hopes its third consecutive trip to the SUNYAC Women's Soccer Tournament will bring them a conference championship and a chance to return to the NCAA DIII tournament after an absence of 12 years.
Yet to accomplish their goal, the Hawks will first need to get past SUNY Oswego on Saturday afternoon on South Turf Field.

Both teams are looking to move once again into the semifinal round; last season the Lakers lost to SUNY Cortland 2-0 in double overtime, while SUNY New Paltz fell to SUNY Geneseo, 3-2. When the Hawks met Oswego in regular season play Oct. 14 in Oswego, the match ended in a 90-minute, 0-0 draw. After that late season matchup, the Lakers defeated Buffalo State before falling to nationally ranked Cortland 3-0 last Saturday. SUNY New Paltz has not fared well in the interim, losing identical 1-0 games to Cortland and Fredonia to close out its regular season after receiving as high as a No. 3 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Region III poll.

Oswego boasts a 6-3-6 overall record and a 3-2-3 SUYAC mark. The Lakers have scored 15 goals for a 1.0 goals-per-game average, while conceding 11 goals for a 0.73 goals-per-game average. They have outshot their opponents 210 to 115, with 115 to 58 in shots on goal. The Lakers as a team have made seven assists, with 102 corner kicks to their foes 52 and have made 41 saves on the year.
Top scorer for Oswego is Katie Delgrosso (JR/F/Pearl River, NY) with five goals, three of which were game winners and one assist. With two goals is Sara Marinaro SR/F/Binghamton, NY). Alora Miller (FY/D/Manlius, NY) and Brianna Winkler (SO/F/West Babylon, NY) each have one goal with two assists — Miller's lone goal in the 88th minute defeated Brockport. Amber McDermott (SO/M/Rock Tavern, NY), a 2022 All-SUNYAC select, contributed one goal and one assist. Five other Lakers have also scored one goal on the year.

Oswego's defense has been tough to break down all season, limiting opponents to 11 goals in 15 games, and recording eight shutouts along the way. Perri Anderson (JR/Cornwall, NY) has been a stalwart in the net, allowing 10 goals in 13 games for a 0.77 goals-against-average with 32 saves and seven shutouts. Assisting her in keeping the sheets clean have been defenders Alora Miller, Emma Rechtorovic (JR/D/Montgomery, NY), Gillian Groth (SR/D/Hamburg, NY), with midfielder Lauren O'Connell (JR/M/Amherst, NY) also in the mix.
SUNY New Paltz posted its third consecutive winning season, the last coming in 2010-2012, with an overall season mark of 8-5-4 and a SUNYAC record of 4-2-3. The Hawks have scored 45 goals in the regular season for a 2.65 goals per game average, with a season high of nine goals against Buffalo State. SUNY New Paltz has given up just 16 goals for a 0.94 goals-per-game average and have outshot opponents 276 to 140 with 144 shots on goal, while allowing 77. The Hawks have 32 assists, with 83 corner kicks, while limiting opponents to 55 on the year, while totaling 59 saves for the season.
SUNY New Paltz has been especially impressive on its home turf. The Hawks are 5-0-1 on South Turf Field, its only blemish was a 2-2 tie against Brockport, while out-scoring their opposition, 24-2 at home — the lone two goals coming in the draw with the Golden Eagles.
Leading the offense for SUNY New Paltz has been 2022 All-SUNYAC pick and co-captain Rachel Eisert (JR/F/M/Bellmore, NY), with 12 goals, seven assists and two game winning goals. She is joined by Gaby Treble (JR/F/Oyster Bay, NY) with 12 goals, one of which was a game winner. The duo set a program record for single-season goals after tallying two in their last home game, a 7-0 rout of Oneonta. Eisert also set a single-season program record in points with 31 thus far.
 
With four goals and seven assists and one game winner is Alexis DeLeo (JR/D/M/Harriman, NY). She and Eisert are both two shy of setting the team's single season assist record. Kelly Licata (So/M/Holbrook, NY) follows offensively with four goals, one a game winner, along with one assist. Laney Schmitz (SO/M/Bohemia, NY) hit the net with four goals, including one game winner in her first season with the Hawks after transferring from Marist College. Brooke Kelleher (SO/F/Smithtown, NY), the reigning SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, added three goals, two assists and one game winner throughout her second season. Ally Donovan (GR/F/Fairport, NY) had one goal with five assists, with Parris Burke (JR/F/Bellport, NY) having one goal with three assists. Mia Baldinger (SO/M/F/Massapequa, NY) and Addison Weiner (SO/F/D/Smithtown, NY) each had a goal and two assists; 2022 All SUNYAC Katie Buquicchio (GR/D.M/Deer Park, NY) scored one goal, a game winner, along with one assist.
 
SUNY New Paltz recorded eight shutouts defensively on the year. Standing tall in the goal was 2022 All-SUNYAC pick Maddie Franklin (JR/Clifton Park, NY). Starting all 17 games, Franklin allowed 16 goals for a 1.00 goals-against-average. Her SUNYAC stats are even more impressive, allowing five goals in nine games for a 0.62 goals-against-average with 25 saves.
 
The defense was led by co-captain Jess Funke (GR/Smithtown, NY), along with backs Hannah Wellinger (SO/D/Smithtown, NY), Addison Weiner (SO/Smithtown, NY) and Buquicchio.

Saturday's crucial conference quarterfinal will be at the South Turf Field on the SUNY New Paltz campus, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.

Regular Season Highlights


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