New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz secured yet another SUNYAC win, as it defeated the Plattsburgh Cardinals 4-0 Wednesday.
"This game we knew we had to give it our all," said Hawks junior midfielder
Mia Baldinger. "We knew this game was going to be hard competition, and in the last week, we have been pushing ourselves and each other to new levels in practice."
SUNY New Paltz (9-2-2 overall, 4-0-1 SUNYAC) shut the Cardinals (3-11 overall, 2-4 SUNYAC) out defensively while having a ferocious offensive campaign throughout the match. The hosts outshot Plattsburgh, 18-1, and netted four of the nine attempts on net.
The win continues the Hawks' SUNYAC win streak, as they are now victorious in five straight conference games.
"Going into SUNYAC play, we were going to try to keep getting better," said SUNY New Paltz junior forward
Brooke Kelleher. "Each game is a new opportunity to improve our craft. It doesn't matter who we are playing; it matters what we're doing in practice to play well in the games."
The Hawks got on the board within the first ten minutes of play.
Rachel Eisert got free at the top right corner of the Cardinals box and buried a shot into the opposite corner of the net to give her team the early upper hand.
The senior didn't stop there, however, as she easily scored again in the 22nd minute. At the top of the box, Eisert shipped another pearler into the back of the net for SUNY New Paltz's second. As per usual, Eisert was the offensive catalyst for the Hawks, as she extended her goal streak to five.
In the 26th,
Kennedy Jones attempted to add onto the 2-0 lead, and shot a close-range ball into Plattsburgh's net. Unfortunately, the goal was revoked as Jones was called offsides. However, Jones came through not long after.
Gallery: (10-16-2024) Women's Soccer vs Plattsburgh 10/16/24
Two minutes later, she sent a ball into the box, and the cross was mistakenly touched by a Plattsburgh defender, leading to a handball call. SUNY New Paltz earned a penalty opportunity off the foul, which
Gaby Treble lined up to take. The senior buried the ball low to pad the Hawks' lead further.
Despite having two more shots in the remainder of the first, SUNY New Paltz could not net another before the half ended, and the Hawks headed into halftime up 3-0.
At the start of the second , SUNY New Paltz tried numerous service attempts, coming up just short on all of them. After four shot opportunities fell flat, but one was finished in the back of cage.
In the 62nd minute, Kelleher struck the ball towards the net, which deflected off the Plattsburgh keeper. Baldinger, however, was in the perfect position, and as the shot ricocheted into the center of the six-yard box the junior tapped the ball in the frame for the Hawks' fourth of the match.
Baldinger ended her time on the field on a high note, as SUNY New Paltz substituted Baldinger and numerous starters out of the game.
"When they come on the field they bring a new level and the level doesn't drop when they step on the field," said Baldinger, regarding the Hawks second line against the Cardinals. "It is amazing to see that we have a lot of depth on this team."
SUNY New Paltz coasted through the remaining time with ease, and kept Plattsburgh from having another shot on net. The Hawks tried to net another one before the final buzzer sounded, but could not finish on the opportunities, and the match ended with SUNY New Paltz victorious 4-0.
Eisert led the charge with two goals, followed by Treble and Baldinger, who each netted one.
Maddie Franklin stood strong the entire 90-minutes and recorded her seventh shutout of the year.
"For our next three games we [will have] the same attitude," Kelleher said. "Keep getting better and keep pushing each other."
The Hawks will enter their final leg of SUNYAC play on Saturday when they face the Buffalo State Bengals away. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
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