New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz, coming off a season opening win a day prior, was happy to walk away with a win but entered the second day of their tournament looking to capitalize on more opportunities offensively.
 
After totaling 39 shots and just two goals Friday, the Hawks piled on Saturday, scoring seven times off 49 attempts on cage, which propelled a 7-0 rout of visiting Utica College on North Turf Field.
 
"I definitely think we did a better job today. Coming into today we were focused on having positive outcomes in the circle," said Hawks sophomore forward Ayden Fleming. "That's something that we really emphasized. I think as a team we did a really good job just working with one another and being selfless with the ball and able to put the ball in the back of the net."
 
Fleming had a career day, as the sophomore forward led the way with three goals for a game-high and owned the first hat-trick since Natasia Plunkett did so in October of last season.
 
 
"Today we were mourning the loss of Jimmy Buffet, but I'm definitely really, really happy with the outcome of today and we all just had really good energy coming into today, but honestly every day we've been putting the work in, working together as a team and really focusing on getting to know each other and how we play," Fleming said. "We have five new incoming freshmen, so we're just starting to get into the groove of things, and I just feel really happy to have my role on the team."
SUNY New Paltz proved superior from the start over the Pioneers, quickly gathering a 4-0 lead after the first quarter with goals from Amanda Quenneville, Miranda Britton and Fleming before the Hawks added one more in each quarter. They ultimately out-shot Utica, 49-8, including 33-4 on target, while totaling 13 corners to the Pioneers three.
 
Gail Comiskey got the start and the win for SUNY New Paltz but went untested through her 28-plus minutes of action before getting relieved by freshman Madison Orisini who made four stops, including on a one-v-one on a breakaway in the third quarter by Utica.
 
Rachel Tama finished with a game-high 14 shots, 11 of which were on goal with one goal and two assists. Fleming and Quenneville followed with six and five shots, respectively, with the latter putting in a goal and adding an assist. Britton finished with her lone goal on three shots, while Hannah Ackerman totaled six shots and registered an assist.
 
Through a dominant 60 minutes, Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski used her full bench in the win, including her five freshmen who earned critical minutes.
 
"They're all just amazing people," Fleming added. "They bust their [butt] every single day so for them to come onto the field and just show everything they've been working on, I was really happy to see them on the field."
 
SUNY New Paltz is back home Saturday, hosting St. John Fisher on North Turf Field at 1:30 p.m. for the team's Green Out for Mental Health Awareness game.

Post-Game Interview Featuring Ayden Fleming


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