New Paltz, NY — It was an overdue victory Saturday for the State University of New York New Paltz over regional rival RPI.
 
For five-straight seasons a win over the Engineers alluded the Hawks with the opposition taking a one-goal victory in the last two matchups they had met. Entering Saturday's game, SUNY New Paltz was determined to finally capture its first win over the Engineers for the first time in more than 20 years — and did so with a 2-1 victory.
 
Backed by two second-half goals from senior midfielder Mia Baldinger and freshman midfielder Brooke Rosenberg, the Hawks captured their third-straight win and first over RPI since 2012. Rosenberg highlighted the well-deserved win, as the Smithtown, NY native notched her first career goal which turned as the game-winner.
 
"It was really exciting," Rosenberg said. "I got out there and was ready to have as much energy as I could and that really got me going."
 
The Engineers had the first shot on goal of the match, which also came in their first real sequence in their offensive third as the Hawks had trouble working out of the back. RPI pressed, winning possession and sending a ball into the box which led to a shot 12 yards out that was corralled by SUNY New Paltz sophomore goalie Jess Centeri (six saves).
 
The Hawks took a blow eight minutes into the game, as senior defender Hannah Wellinger went down with an injury. The team rallied around their two-year captain and after the stoppage, the team re-grouped and put the visitors on their heels.
 
Baldinger played a really nice switch to the weak side to freshman Samantha Gemmo, who pulled back her dribble and tried a rip from the edge of the box, but RPI goalie Audrey Montero made the stop, diving to her left to get two hands clasped on the attempt.  
SUNY New Paltz's build-up play was relentless to end the half with five of the team's eight shots in the opening 45 minutes taking place in the final 10 minutes of the period.
 
The momentum carried for the hosts in the second half and in the 63rd minute the Hawks finally broke through. Laney Schmitz won a 50-50 ball off a RPI goal kick and immediately found Baldinger. With space, the Massapequa High alum turned and fired a looping shot 20-yards out that lofted over the hand over Montero for the go-ahead goal.
 
The Engineers nearly answered 10 minutes later after playing in a long free kick from midfield. Miscommunication in the box created a scrum, forcing Centeri off her line with the ball deflecting backward hitting off the post and out of play allowing the Hawks to keep the 1-0 lead.
 
The Engineers started building possession in their offensive third, the most success they'd seen in the game, but SUNY New Paltz managed to weather the storm. The Hawks worked out of the back off a short goal kick, which led to a ball played in the middle to the feet of Kennedy Jones. Jones then slotted a ball toward the weak side for Rosenberg running on. Rosenberg took a perfect first touch toward goal and ripped a bullet high near post for the second goal of the game and first of her collegiate career.
 
"I had a similar opportunity the play before, but I wanted to try something different. I felt like I could get a lot of power that way, so I ripped a shot," Rosenberg said. "To be able to come off the bench with a lot of energy is always my goal, so I'm really excited about it."
 
Jones very nearly made the score 3-0, winning the ball off a throw-in in the Hawks' offensive third. She took a touch, splitting past two defenders and sent a laser that careened off the crossbar with nine minutes to go in the match.
 
RPI continued fighting and sliced the lead in half with two minutes left in the game, stemmed off a miss-clear on a through ball in the box. Giving away a late corner, the Engineers took advantage, sending a ball into the six-yard box with again, the Hawks scrambling to get the ball away of danger and as a result, the visitors knocked a shot out of the crowded box and into the net for the score.
 
SUNY New Paltz buckled in and did enough to keep RPI at bay in the waning minutes, ultimately securing its third consecutive win and keeping its home record spotless.
 
"It's really exciting for us, because now we have the week off going into conference play," Rosenberg added. "To be able to help the team and bring that energy up for the team going into SUNYAC's is really exciting for me."
 
The Hawks out-shot the Engineers 17-8 in the game, but held the slight margin in shots on frame, 8-7. RPI generated more corners (5) with three stemming in the final 15 minutes of the contest.
 
Schmitz and Baldinger were the workhorses in the midfield, both clocking a full 90 minutes while adding a team-leading eight shots, three on frame with Baldinger tallying a score. Gemmo, earning her first career start, followed with three shots, two on target, in 74 minutes played. Centeri and the backline of Sam Wohlmut, Erin Saverse and Grace Lien were the only other Hawks to log a full 90 of play.
 
SUNY New Paltz concludes its non-conference schedule at 4-2-1 before entering its final season in the SUNYAC starting next Saturday against rival SUNY Cortland. The last time the two met, the Hawks defeated the Red Dragons for the conference title at South Turf Field.
 
The re-match is scheduled for Sept. 27 at T. Fred Holloway Field at 2 p.m.

Post-Game Featuring Brooke Rosenberg (video by Xavier Zykoff)


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