New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz continued rolling Wednesday, remaining unbeaten at home after collecting a 3-0 win over visiting FDU-Florham in a non-conference mid-week matchup.
 
The victory pushed the Hawks to 11-1 overall and extended their winning streak to five games.
 
Rachel Tama was the catalyst early, as the junior piled onto her gaudy offensive numbers, as she was a part of SUNY New Paltz's first two goals, both stemming off corners.
 
SUNY New Paltz immediately pressed the ball down the throat of the Devils, playing the majority of the first quarter in its offensive 25. It earned three corners within the first five minutes before Tama finally put her team on the board in the sixth minute. Amanda Quenneville helped earn the set play for the Hawks with Miranda Britton inserting to Hannah Ackerman. Ackerman slipped a pass to Tama who ripped a laser for her team-leading 20th goal of the season.
 
The advantage doubled before quarter's end as Tama found the foot of a FDU-Florham defender, leading to another penalty corner. Britton inserted once again, this time directly to Tama who put another shot on target, aiming toward the near post where Britton was waiting, low, to get a tip on the attempt and guiding the ball into the cage for her 14th of the season.
 
"Big thing this season compared to last season where we weren't scoring on corners, we've been really hammering it down of just being prepared. Miranda was really prepared on that post today and it showed," Tama said. "Everybody was low and ready in the circle, and Hannah and I as shooters, we've been really working on placement and calling near or far and it's paying off."
 
The Hawks defense stepped in to limit the Devils chances in the circle, allowing just one shot at goalie Gail Comiskey. FDU-Florham generated some possession in its offensive half, but SUNY New Paltz managed its side well and steered away any dangerous opportunities.
 
 
"That was huge," Tama said. "We've been working all season especially on defense when we're up, working on that possession and causing those turnovers and that really showed today with a big team win."
 
Meghan Gunning added one last insurance goal for the Hawks, which came with less than five minutes left in the third quarter. Ashley McGough started the scoring opportunity, laying an initial shot toward cage that was deflected away by a Devils defender. Gunning was in the perfect spot to collect the loose ball, having space to muscle a shot of her own to the near pipe. Her attempt ricocheted off a defenders stick near the post and soared over the goalie's shoulder for the score.

SUNY New Paltz out-shot FDU-Florham, 21-1 in the game including, 17-1 in shots on target. Tama led the way with six shots, three on target. Britton followed with four, while Quenneville added three.
 
The Hawks have another home contest Saturday, hosting Oswego on Senior Day before the team goes on the road for a three-game stretch with a highly anticipated matchup against No. 5 nationally ranked Christopher Newport on the horizon Oct. 19.
 
"Coming up we have Oswego big Senior Day, but that we have Christopher Newport," Tama said. "It's going to be two big wins I think in our books and we're just going to keep going from there. We're just taking it day by day, being where our feet are, and we're not satisfied until we have a trophy in our hand."

Post-Game Featuring Rachel Tama (video by Ethan Scully

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