New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz officially claimed the most wins in program history Wednesday after improving to a perfect, 10-0 in a dominant effort over hosting Plattsburgh State.
 
The Hawks surpassed the previous record of nine wins, which they set last season, after claiming an 18-1 victory over the Cardinals in another weather plagued contest, while also staying atop the conference standings as they bumped their SUNYAC record to 3-0.
 
"Not that this record doesn't mean anything to them, but I think because we have really come together and found success so far this season it has almost lost its novelty," said SUNY New Paltz coach Randy Vite.  "It's an expectation now to come out and play this well and just because no one's ever done it before, doesn't really phase them. They're not overwhelmed by the moment. They just come out and play and are focused on accomplishing our ultimate goal, which is hosting a playoff game and making a run in the playoffs.
 
"I think it goes back to our season theme this year. We want more and we want to do more, and we're achieving that by handling the hard. It goes back to everything we've talked about this year, and we've really found success in sticking to that so far this season."
 
The Hawks commanded the game from the start and ultimately out-shot Plattsburgh, 43-10 and held the advantage in ground balls (30-20), turnovers (17-30) and caused turnovers (15-6) with Mia Baldinger and Morgan Atwater leading the way.  
Baldinger became the program's new single season record holder in assists after she dished out five to go along with three goals for eight points in the outing. Atwater had a career-high seven goals while adding an assist for a game-high eight points, while adding seven ground balls, five caused turnovers and five draw controls.
 
Baldinger has currently totaled a team-most 41 assists, which also leads the SUNYAC, surpassing the previous single season program record of 38 which was held by 2012 alumna Samantha DelGaudio.
 
"I think I really threw Mia for a loop the first week of the season in changing her role in our offense, but she has really embraced it and embraced her feeding role," Vite said. "She's just so dynamic. She can dodge and finish too, can beat you with just one step and get to cage, but she's also just a great passer. She's just a dynamic, coachable kid who has been outstanding this year."
 
The Hawks got out to a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter following goals by Morgan and Lexi Atwater. After a draw control win by the Cardinals, they answered with their only score of the day to cut into the difference. Lexi and Morgan Atwater scored goals in the final 20 seconds to push the lead to 5-1 by quarter's end.
 
After scoring five to take a 10-1 lead at the half, SUNY New Paltz had a running clock midway through the third quarter following a goal by Morgan Atwater off a feed from Baldinger to create a 10-goal cushion. 
 
Shaw had a quiet day to start with Plattsburgh honing in on the Hawks season scoring leader for most of the afternoon. But, with Morgan Atwater going off for seven goals, the Cardinals switched their attention to the sophomore, allowing Shaw to break through as she tallied three of her four points in the fourth quarter to help solidify the 18-1 victory.  
Shaw followed Morgan Atwater and Baldinger offensively with four points on three goals and an assist, while adding three ground balls and a caused turnover. Lexi Atwater finished with three goals and four draws, while Kira Tucker had two points on a goal and an assist, while adding a ground ball.
 
"Their goalie was really good today, but we really executed our game plan," Vite said. "If you watched every goal today, we made her either bite hard with a head fake or we finished off-stick hip and that was the game plan. We really executed the scout today."
 
Morgan Woolley followed Morgan Atwater defensively, as she finished with four caused turnovers and four ground balls. Gabriella Tomasso earned the start and the win, making three stops while Piper Mascaros closed out with a shutout in the last 30 minutes, recording two saves.
 
SUNY New Paltz looks to extend its winning streak Saturday when it goes back on the road to take SUNY Fredonia at 1 p.m.

 
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