Buffalo, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz 2025 season came to an end Saturday following a 3-1 loss against No. 4 seeded Buffalo State in the quarterfinal round of the SUNYAC Tournament.
 
Two early first-half goals proved as the difference, as the Bengals capitalized on Hawks miscues early. Olivia Kilmer scored her first of three goals two minutes into the match as she was on the scoring end of a stripped ball in the back that resulted in a 1-v-1 between her and SUNY New Paltz goalie Jess Centeri. Centeri came off her line and dove for the attempt, but Kilmer was clinical with the finish going high over the out-stretched hand of Centeri to put her team up.
 
She took advantage of a high line from SUNY New Paltz less than 10 minutes later, as she ran past the visitors back four on a ball lofted over the top, catching the Hawks unorganized in the back. Kilmer again slotted a shot past Centeri to push the lead to 2-0.
 
Mia Baldinger trimmed the difference in half in the 68th minute, scoring her fifth of the year. Laney Schmitz was the catalyst on the play, relentlessly winning 50-50 balls, first off an initial throw near midfield and then pressing hard to win the ball back near the top of the box, before finding space to rip a shot 15-yards out that careened off the cross bar. Baldinger was there to clean up as she one-timed the rebound into the goal for the score.  
However, Buffalo State re-established the two-goal cushion just three minutes later. The Bengals booted a ball up from their defensive half that bounced over the back line of SUNY New Paltz into its defensive third. Kilmer turned on the next gear and beat the opposition to the loose ball before ripping a bullet into the far netting to solidify the hat-trick and all but sealing the win for her side.
 
SUNY New Paltz held the advantage in shots, 15-7, including 10-2 in the first half alone with seven shots on goal to the Bengals' three. The Hawks also garnered five corners, while holding the hosts without a corner in the game.
 
Kennedy Jones led the offense with four shots, two on goal, in 82 minutes of action followed by Baldinger and Abby Macleod who each had two.
 
SUNY New Paltz SUNYAC Title defense comes to an end with the defeat as it finishes its 2025 campaign at 7-4-6 overall and 3-1-5 in SUNYAC play with the program transitioning into the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) next season.

The Hawks graduate a large and coveted senior class, which helped the team achieve their longest postseason streak in program history at five-straight.
 
Buffalo State meanwhile, moves on to face No. 1 seed Cortland in the semifinals Wednesday.


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