Plattsburgh, NY — Kaitlyn Shaw etched another career milestone Wednesday after leading the State University of New York New Paltz to a 16-4 road win over Plattsburgh.
 
The grad student from Rye Brook, NY produced a game-high six points to officially push her past the 300-career point threshold, becoming just the 13th player in SUNYAC history to do so. Her 301 points places her just seven points shy of top 10 all-time in SUNYAC history as she already holds all-time program records in goals and points, along with single season records in both categories.
 
"I am so proud of Kaitlyn and can't think of a more deserving person to reach this milestone," said SUNY New Paltz coach Randy Vite. "Since my arrival here, Kaitlyn has been one of the best athletes and people I've had the opportunity to coach. I can't thank her enough for her buy-in, leadership and unmatched work ethic. She is so much more to me and this team than her statistics. She has an ability to connect with teammates, hold a high standard to our team values, while enjoying the ride and ensuring everyone else is along with her."
 
Shaw scored her first of four goals on the day with less than six minutes left in the first period, upping her team's lead to 2-1 after Plattsburgh answered Lexi Atwater's game opening goal in the 13th minute. Mia Baldinger then fed Katie Picarello for a score two minutes later, but the Cardinals answered with back-to-back goals to end the quarter, tying the score at 3-all.
 
The Hawks anchored down in the second and allowed only six shots in the final 45 minutes with only one going on frame. Kira Tucker took advantage of a man-up opportunity to start the second quarter, finishing on a feed inside by Ava Padilla to regain SUNY New Paltz's lead. Tucker scored again, this time on a dish by Picarello with just more than eight minutes left in the half. Plattsburgh countered off the ensuing draw to get back within one, but the Hawks answered with 11-straight unanswered goals to roll the Cardinals in the final 37-plus minutes.
 
Shaw found Shannon Lewis for a man-up goal with just more than five minutes left in the half to start the run. Lewis then became the beneficiary on the Hawks' next goal, feeding Tucker for her third of the day. Following a free position save by Piper Mascaros on the defensive end, Shaw forced a turnover which led to a goal by Atwater in the final minute before the break to take an 8-4 advantage.
 
Padilla found the back of the net to start the third quarter with Lewis picking up an assist on the play before both teams went scoreless for the next 10 minutes of action. Shaw broke the draught, taking over to fatten her team's cushion. Working the ball around, Shaw found some space to dodge through the middle for her second of the day and after picking up the ensuing draw control scored again to push SUNY New Paltz up, 11-4 going into the fourth.
 
The Cardinals won the opening draw to start the fourth, but Sam Wohlmut quickly won the ball back for the Hawks, picking up the ground ball and clearing the other way to allow SUNY New Paltz to settle on offense, which led to Tucker's fourth of the day off an assist by Baldinger.
 
Morgan Woolley then forced a turnover after Plattsburgh won another draw, leading to a green card that Morgan Atwater took advantage of, scoring on a free position following a shooting space call. The Cardinals started getting more physical as the difference widened and was hit with a yellow that led to a man-up goal by Lexi Atwater from Baldinger.
 
Baldinger picked up the ensuing draw control but the Hawks nearly lost possession on a loose ball that was heading toward the restraining line. However, the Cardinals were too aggressive on the play shoving Wohlmut from the back resulting in another green card with the foul happening between the restraining lines. Shaw capitalized on the power play, notching her fourth goal and fifth point, officially cementing her place in SUNYAC history.
 
Shaw tacked on another point to her stat line with two minutes left in the game, finding Allison Beattie for the goal to solidify the 16-4 outcome.
 
Shaw led all players with six points on a game-high four goals and two assists, while adding a ground ball, two caused turnovers and a team-high four draw controls. She currently leads the team with 63 points on the year.
 
"Again, I'm just so proud. I don't think it is a coincidence that this program has found unparalleled success during her time here," Vite added. "I think it's a testament to her as a player and a person. She is one of the most humble and hardest working players, and is incredibly coachable. I know she is leaving a lasting legacy on this team and program. I am so grateful to have coached her for as long as I have."
 
Tucker followed Shaw with four points on a career-high four goal performance. Lexi Atwater, Mia Baldinger and Shannon Lewis each added three points apiece. Baldinger also contributed three ground balls and one draw, while Lexi Atwater totaled three ground balls, one caused turnover and one draw control.
 
Defensively, Woolley, Aiylin Rutnik, Shaw, Morgan Atwater and Francesca Corozzo each had two caused turnovers with Woolley tying Lexi Atwater and Baldinger for a game-high three ground balls. Mascaros and Gabriella Tommaso split time in goal and combined for five saves in the win.
 
SUNY New Paltz improved to 11-3 overall and 6-1 in the SUNYAC, while Plattsburgh dropped to 3-9 and 1-5, respectively. The Hawks are back in action Friday for a huge SUNYAC matchup that has potential playoff seeding implications in SUNY Oswego, the only remaining SUNYAC undefeated.
 
The Hawks are set to face the Lakers Friday on Laker Turf Stadium at 4 p.m.


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