New Paltz, NY — Returning home after two weeks on the road, the State University of New York at New Paltz continued its dominance on South Turf Field Wednesday as the Hawks captured a 5-0 shutout win over visiting Potsdam.
 
SUNY New Paltz improved to 7-3-2 overall and 3-0-1 in the SUNYAC and with its 10 points remain tied for first atop the conference standings. The Hawks performance against the Bears marked their fourth shutout on their home turf as they improved to 4-0 on South Turf Field, while outscoring their opposition, 17-0 in those four matchups.
 
The game opened in unfortunate events for Potsdam, as SUNY New Paltz played a ball through leading to a hard collision between the Bears' starting goalkeeper and center back. The two were unable to return, allowing the Hawks to take advantage almost immediately.
 
Rachel Eisert put the Hawks up in the third minute on an impressive individual effort, as she shook two defenders and sent a laser about 30 yards out into the top corner of the goal for her ninth of the season.
 
 
Gaby Treble doubled the lead in 17th minute. Brooke Kelleher sent a ball across with Eisert running on, bringing two defenders with her. She let the ball go, allowing Treble to run on, creating a 1-v-1 opportunity which she buried.
Treble scored in similar fashion five minutes into the second half with Mia Baldinger this time playing a beautiful ball lofted to Treble who sliced through two defenders, cutting back then scoring easily inside the box to tie Eisert for a team-leading ninth goal on the year. The two are both two goals from tying the single season mark of 11 held by Alesha Peimer from 1999.
 
"It feels good to be a part of the front line and a part of the offense as a whole," Treble said. "We have a lot of great offensive players on our team and we do a lot of finishing in practice like I said before, so it just feels good to be a part of such a positive offense."
 
Eisert helped create the team's third goal of the game, as she worked hard to win the ball back in her offensive third toe-poking a ball away from a Potsdam defender to Erin Savarese who pushed forward, beat her defender down the flank and sent a ball near post to Ally Donovan. Donovan took a controlled first touch and placed her shot far post for her first goal of the season.
 
Laney Schmitz then put the final exclamation point on the win, as she buried her shot in the 66th minute off an assist from Parris Burke just outside the 18-yard box to solidify the 5-0 victory.
 
"I think it was a great team win," Treble said. "Obviously, we're capitalizing on all our opportunities which is good. We spend a lot of time on that in practice. Something else we were looking to do today was build out of the back, which I think we did really well, particularly in the second half. Overall, our midfield won first and second balls for the most part and we just capitalized on all of our opportunities."
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot the Bears, 24-9, including 11-5 in shots on target, while garnering six corner kicks to none for Potsdam. Eisert led the team with four shots, two on target with one goal in 36 minutes, followed by Treble with three shots, two on frame with two goals in 53 minutes. Maddie Franklin earned the win after playing 68-plus minutes in net, making two saves. Madelyn Jachimiak finished the game and helped in the shutout, recording three stops.
 
"It gives us good momentum. We knew Potsdam was going to come out and put up a fight and we just had to find that fight within ourselves as well," Treble said. "We came off a big three points against Plattsburgh and then a tie against Geneseo really lit a fire under us. So, it feels good to get three points and just gives us that much more momentum and we're looking forward to Saturday back at home."
 
The Hawks are back home Saturday, hosting SUNY Brockport at 2 p.m.

Post-Game Featuring Gaby Treble


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