Buffalo, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz won its fourth-straight game in a dominating performance on the road over Buffalo State, 15-3.
The Hawks improved to 8-3 overall, matching the best start and the most wins in program history, which was previously set in 2019. One more win would make history for the most in the inception of the program, while a consecutive victory would tie for the longest winning streak in program history.
Along with the bevvy of team milestones, the day was capped with a career milestone for junior midfielder
Kaitlyn Shaw who surpassed the 100-goal threshold with a team-leading four-goal performance. Following Friday's performance, she sits seventh all-time in program history with 101 career goals, joining just seven other Hawks to reach the triple-digit goal mark.
The Bengals took the opening lead with SUNY New Paltz held scoreless until 6:23 to play in the first quarter before
Maddie Gillis tied the game at ones following a free position goal. The Hawks ended the period strong, as
Alyssa Indelicato gave her team the lead off a feed by Gillis. Indelicato found the back of the net in the final seconds of the quarter, scoring on an assist from
Shannon Brosnan to give the Hawks a 3-1 advantage entering the second.
SUNY New Paltz's defense held Buffalo State scoreless with just one shot and seven turnovers in the last 15 minutes, allowing its offense to build on its cushion.
Morgan Atwater scored off a feed by Gillis in a man-up situation following a yellow card for Buffalo State with 12 minutes left. Shaw then scored off a free position six minutes later before ending the half with another score at around the three-minute mark to boost the advantage to 6-1 at the break.
Shaw won the opening second-half draw with the offensive possession eventually leading to a free position goal by Atwater. Shaw added her third of the day after another defensive stand by the Hawks before
Camryn Ryder extended the lead to 9-1 on a feed by
Julia Longo with about six minutes left in the quarter. Shaw won the ensuing draw control and pushed in transition, leading to another quick score with Longo finding Atwater for the goal.
The Bengals added back-to-back goals to end the third, but the Hawks made sure to stomp on any momentum Buffalo State may have built as soon as the final quarter started. They held the hosts without a single attempt on cage in the last 15 minutes with Atwater, Gillis and
Emily Monroe combining for five more scores to solidify the 15-3 outcome.
The stat sheet reflected SUNY New Paltz's dominance on the day. The Hawks out-shot the Bengals, 42-10 and won on the draw, 15-6.
Atwater (five goals), Shaw (four goals, one assist) and Gillis (two goals, three assists) each totaled five points to lead the way offensively. Atwater set new career-highs in both goals and points, while adding two ground balls, two caused turnovers and a draw control. Shaw totaled two ground balls and tied for a game-high six draw controls with Ryder.
Ella Malanga led the way defensively, as she had a game-high five ground balls with two caused turnovers.
Gabriella Tommaso, meanwhile, finished with five saves in the win for the Hawks.
SUNY New Paltz has a full week to prepare for its toughest slate of the season with games against the top teams in the conference starting with SUNY Geneseo April 15, followed by SUNY Cortland (April 19), SUNY Brockport (April 22) and what could turn into a pivotal regular season finale at Oneonta on April 26.
**********************
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.