NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team earned two New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Field Hockey All-Conference Selections, with Ashley McGough and Caydence Parker earning first team and honorable mention honors, respectively.
Despite a slow start in their non-conference campaign, the Hawks rallied for conference play in their first NJAC season, finishing the regular season 7-11 overall and 2-4 in conference. In its final regular-season contest, a 2-0 win over the Montclair State Red Hawks propelled SUNY New Paltz into its first NJAC post-season tournament.
The No. 6-seeded Hawks upset the No. 4 Kean Cougars with a 2-0 shutout in the first round of the playoffs, highlighted by goals from McGough and Parker, with the latter tapping in a second-chance corner opportunity from senior Maya O'Keefe, who assisted both goals.
Although the Hawks fell to No. 1 seeded Rowan in the semifinal round, SUNY New Paltz still garnered two all-conference picks to conclude its inaugural year.
Ashley McGough made waves as one of the NJAC's most threatening forwards in an illustrious third-year campaign. Starting 17 of 17 games played, McGough led the Hawks with 11 goals scored and is sixth in the NJAC in the category. The Carmel, NY native also dished out three assists for a total 25 points over the course of the season in 956 total minutes played.
McGough was honored with NJAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 21 following two stellar performances against No. 9 nationally ranked Stevens and No. 23 Ithaca. Against Stevens, McGough tallied an assist on the Hawks' lone goals, and her two goal showing against Ithaca elevated SUNY New Paltz over the Bombers, 2-1.
The junior had numerous multiple point showings, including a season high seven point game against NJAC opponent Ramapo on Oct. 7, where McGough netted three goals with one assist in the 5-0 shutout over the Roadrunners.
Caydence Parker concluded her freshman year as one of the most impactful first-year players SUNY New Paltz has seen in recent years.
One of five players to start and play in 19 of 19 games this season, Parker was second on the Hawks in minutes played with 1129, just 11 minutes shy of junior captain Sophia Bronzi. Parker was tied for first in assists with three and listed second on the team in goals (10), game-winning goals (2), points (23) and minutes (1129). The Suffolk, VA native ended the regular season seventh in the NJAC in goals and 10th in points.
Parker had two season highs performances on the year, garnering three points against RPI on Sept. 23 and Oneonta on Oct. 27 with a goal and an assist in each contest. Her most important showing, however, came against Kean in the quarterfinals, as her late game goal pushed the Hawks through to the semifinals and was Parker's lone game winning foal of the year.
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