New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Patz secured its highest seeding ever in the SUNYAC Tournament after clinching its fourth-straight playoff berth (fourth ever in program history). And for the first time, the Hawks will host a home postseason game as they are pitted against the No. 6 seeded Oneonta Red Dragons for a re-match of Wednesday's regular season finale. 

"I am expecting a dogfight on Saturday," said SUNY New Paltz coach Randy Vite. "Playoffs are completely different than the regular season, and every game is win or go home, but I know we are going to be able to step up to the plate." 

The team's 2024 campaign has shown to be the program's most successful season so far. The Hawks boast a 13-3 overall and 6-3 conference record — all program bests.  

Undefeated in non-conference play, the team continued to be victorious through the first half of SUNYAC action, which included a historic win against Brockport, an opponent SUNY New Paltz had yet to defeat until this season. Despite falling to SUNYAC opponents Cortland, Geneseo and Oswego, the Hawks were still able to secure a third-seeded bid to playoffs with a vicotry over Oneonta Wednesday.  

"They have naturally created an awesome team culture and chemistry that is hard to replicate," Vite said. "But at the end of the day, I think we are more skilled, and the team has grown in player development."  

As of this season, Vite has accumulated more wins than any other women's lacrosse coach at SUNY New Paltz, with 27 total at the end of the 2024 regular season. She has had three successful seasons at the helm of the program, achieving a playoff berth every year so far — the first coach in program history to do so.  

From last season, the team dynamic changed with many players stepping up into new roles. Lexi Atwater and twin sister Morgan Atwater have contributed tremendously to the team's midfield line, as they accumulated 130 points combined in the regular season in only their second season. They also have earned 57 and 54 draw controls, respectively.   
 

"I think the team chemistry is so much better than last year," said Hawks sophomore attacker/midfielder Lexi Atwater. "We all flow nicely with each other and we all get along. It's a family, and it shows on the field." 

Sophomore attacker Mia Baldinger also increased her impact on the field drastically from the 2023 season. She scored 23 goals compared to her four from last season and extended her assist count from 11 to 56, which totaled a whopping 79 points this season alone, which sits second on the team, while her 56 assists is well past the previous single season record and ranks fifth in the country.   

Senior defender Morgan Woolley had a breakout season as well in her second year within the program, the dual-sport athlete (also starring for the Hawks field hockey team) demolished the previous record for caused turnovers, with 52 in the regular season. She currently ranks eighth in the nation in the category. An understatedly drastic improvement from her last season's total of nine caused turnovers, Woolley sparked intensity on the defensive end all season. Alongside her are veteran defenders Francesca Corozzo and Grace Berardi, both with career-high numbers in ground balls and caused turnovers this year with 38 and 23 for the former, and 20 and 15 for the latter thus far, respectively.  

In the cage, sophomore Gabriella Tommaso has been a brick wall for SUNY New Paltz, with an impressive .471 save percentage on 220 shots faced. She also tied a career-high 13 saves this season in a game against Hartwick College, whom the Hawks edged out with a 9-7 score. 

"There are so many different goal scorers and players coming up with caused turnovers, ground balls and draw controls," said SUNY New Paltz senior captain Kaitlyn Shaw. "It energizes us because we are so proud and happy for each other which pushes us to be better for not only ourselves but for our teammates."  

Shaw has not skipped a beat in her senior campaign. She notched 63 goals, 24 assists, and controlled 53 draws off the circle. This season alone, Shaw has broken the all-time program and single-season records for points and goals. 

"My freshman year we saw ourselves as less than the underdogs, but every year I have seen that mentality change," Shaw said. "This season specifically, we came into this knowing we are going to win and have an impact on the conference, and our performances here prove that we are no longer an underdog but one of the top three teams in the conference."  

The road to the program's first semifinal appearance is through a Red Dragons team who finished 5-11 overall, and 3-6 in the SUNYAC after losing to SUNY New Paltz Wednesday on North Turf Field, 13-9. 

The first half of the contest proved difficult offensively for both teams, as the score was tied 4-4 at the half after Oneonta went on a 2-0 unanswered run in the start of the first quarter. SUNY New Paltz found a third quarter push, scoring seven goals within the period. The Hawks ended up taking the game 13-9, but Oneonta will return to SUNY New Paltz for the first round of the SUNYAC tournament undoubtably looking to avenge the mid-week loss. 

"Wednesdays game showed us that we have a lot to work on," Lexi Atwater said. "Luckily, we have had two practices to work on our game and come out even harder on Saturday." 

The Red Dragons have been inconsistent throughout the season, with wins against strong teams like Hartwick and Fredonia, but they also lost games to teams SUNY New Paltz has routed, such as Buffalo State and Utica.  

Oneonta is led by junior midfielder Cassidy Moore, who has 43 goals and 21 assists on the season, while leading the team in points with 64. Moore scored four out of the Red Dragons' nine goals on Wednesday.  

Moore is closely followed in points by senior midfielder Marissa Evans and senior attackman Lauren Mancini, who have 55 and 51 points, respectively. Mancini totaled more than 100 goals over her career, and Evans surpassed 100 career draw controls this season. Evans and Mancini netted a goal each in the contest with the Hawks. Goalkeeper Courtney Gallager is a force in cage for the Red Dragons. She boasts a .431 save percentage and accumulated 13 saves against SUNY New Paltz in their regular season matchup.  

"We are only going to play better Saturday than we did on Wednesday," Shaw said. "Oneonta is not ready for us to come out at our full potential." 

In the Hawks' three playoff runs, they have been halted at the quarterfinals, falling to Brockport each time. This year, SUNY New Paltz looks to check off another box and move forward in the SUNYAC tournament.  

The first round is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. against the Red Dragons on North Turf Field. The winner will face No. 2 seeded Geneseo Wednesday in the semifinals. Game time is to be determined.  

For the SUNYAC quarterfinal digital program with ticketing information, click here. 


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