Plattsburgh, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz went on the road and collected three more points in the SUNYAC as it came away with a 2-0 win over hosting SUNY Plattsburgh Wednesday.
 
The Hawks (6-3-1 overall, 2-0 SUNYAC) controlled the game from the start, out-shooting the Cardinals, 14-5 in the first 45 minutes of action and ultimately putting 22 attempts at frame to just eight for Plattsburgh.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of the commitment to details tonight, and their ability to work together as a unit," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg. "We had some big minutes from so many different players tonight starting, coming off the bench and that's what it takes to get three points on the road a very tough place to play." Kelly Licata broke the 0-0 score with less than five minutes left in the half, as she ran onto a pass played through by teammate Parris Burke, beat her defender and ripped a left-footed shot just outside the box that found the lower right corner for her fourth goal of the season and give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
 
SUNY New Paltz continued the pressure in the second half and held onto its one-goal advantage until Rachel Eisert created breathing room in the 88th minute, scoring her team-leading eighth goal of the season to cement the victory.
 
"We did a great job managing the last five minutes of the game in our attacking half and getting a critical second goal to relieve the pressure," Eckberg said.
 
The Hawks back line of Katie Buquicchio, Jess Funke and Hannah Wellinger played the full 90 minutes, along with midfielder Mia Baldinger and goalie Maddie Franklin who finished with two saves in the shutout. Eisert led the team offensively with nine shots, six of which were on goal in 72 minutes, followed by Alexis DeLeo with five in 80 minutes played.   "I thought we were a little one dimensional in our attack in the first half. We created opportunities, but none were very threatening," Eckberg added. "I thought we did a very good job in the second half limiting their set pieces that they were dangerous on in the first half."
 
The win placed SUNY New Paltz with six points in the SUNYAC, tied atop the league standings with SUNY Cortland through two matches played in conference. The Hawks return to action Saturday, going on the road to face reining SUNYAC champions SUNY Geneseo at 12 p.m.

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