Utica, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz went on the road and earned a 17-7 win over hosting Utica Saturday in its season opener.
 
Lexi Atwater carried the team offensively, matching a career-high seven goals, which she set the last time the Hawks played the Pioneers last season — with SUNY New Paltz keeping the hosts within arms-length throughout the contest.
 
Morgan Atwater won the opening draw and the Hawks quickly capitalized on their first possession, as Ava Padilla fed Lexi Atwater for the first goal of the game less than 30 seconds in. Utica tied the game with a man-up goal after Padilla was handed a yellow in the open field, but SUNY New Paltz countered with back-to-back scores following draw control wins from Morgan and Lexi Atwater. Katie Picarello re-upped the Hawks' lead before Padilla found Lexi Atwater once again 20 seconds later.
 
SUNY New Paltz never trailed the rest of the game and was boosted by a 6-0 run started in the first quarter that bled into the second with Morgan Atwater capping the stretch on an unassisted score to bring the lead to 9-2 with 11 minutes to go in the period. Another man-up goal ended the unanswered stretch for the Pioneers, but the Hawks answered two minutes later started on the defensive end on a save from Piper Mascaros. Sam Wohlmut helped clear the other way with a ground ball pickup, leading to a free position attempt for Morgan Atwater who buried her attempt to boost the lead to 10-3, which stood until the end of the half.  
The Pioneers added back-to-back goals to start the second half to get within five before Helena Willis took advantage of a man-up situation for the Hawks, scoring an unassisted goal on the penalty play. Padilla and Mia Baldinger added on within 30 seconds of each other with Utica scoring on another man-up opportunity following a green card by the visitors.
 
The Pioneers got within six with its seventh and final goal of the game five minutes into the fourth, but SUNY New Paltz rolled from there scoring four unanswered, capped by Padilla finding old friend Samantha DeLucca in the final minute of the match to solidify the 17-7 outcome.
 
Lexi Atwater led the way with eight points on the afternoon, her seven goals were tied for third most in single-game history, while her eight points were tied for fifth most. She also added two ground balls and four draw controls. Padilla followed with five points on a goal and a game-high four assists with three ground balls. Morgan Atwater totaled three goals and an assist with two ground balls and a game-high and a single-game program record 12 draw controls. Baldinger chipped in with a score on three attempts with three ground balls and a caused turnover. Aiylin Rutnik also tied for a game-high three ground balls on the defensively end.
 
SUNY New Paltz is back in action next weekend for its home opener against Skidmore College at 11 a.m. on North Turf Field.


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