Potsdam, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz extended its winning streak to four while staying unbeaten in SUNYAC play following an 18-5 road victory over Potsdam Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Hawks improved to 7-3 overall and 3-0 in the SUNYAC, while the Bears dropped to 2-7 and 0-3, respectively.
 
SUNY New Paltz broke the game open in the second quarter after Potsdam brought the lead down to 4-2 to end the first. Helena Willis grabbed the opening draw of the second period, which quickly led to a drive and score from Lexi Atwater. Mia Baldinger then started making her mark on the game, first forcing a turnover on the ride before aggressively attacking goal with the shot clock winding. Baldinger worked her way around the crease and beat her man for the score. SUNY New Paltz kept going with the hot-hand of Baldinger, running an iso for the senior who drove and smoked her 1-v-1 matchup for another score leading to an immediate timeout by the hosts with the Hawks leading, 7-2 with about 10 minutes to go.
 
Out of the break, Baldinger fed Nicole Matthews on the cut for another goal with Willis officially giving SUNY New Paltz a running clock with about five minutes remaining in the half. The Binghamton, NY native drove right and fired a laser far pipe for the score to cap an 8-0 run for her side and boost the advantage, 12-2.
 
Potsdam broke up the unanswered stretch with a man-up goal following a green card by Atwater off the ensuing draw. Katie Picarello answered for her team, though, switching hands on the dodge and finishing with her left through traffic to install another running clock on the 10-goal difference. The score stemmed off a Baldinger caused turnover, as the Bears couldn't find an answer for the visitor's pressure on the ride. A lofted, prayer pass was easily picked by the 5'8 Baldinger leading to the Picarello goal.  
A low scoring second half for both sides, SUNY New Paltz maintained control the rest of the way. The Hawks made the Bears pay on another failed clear to start the half with Matthews zipping a pass to Atwater for another score to create a 14-3 lead. Willis added on with a free position goal two minutes later before Potsdam added another with eight minutes left in the game.
 
Senior defender Sam Wohlmut helped win the ball back on a back check in the ride and after Potsdam then earned possession back on a failed clear, the Hawks continued to provide pressure with Matthews picking up the loose ball, which soon led to a Bears green card allowing the Hawks to go man up to start the fourth. Samantha DeLucca capitalized to begin the final 15 minutes finishing on a pass from Samantha Gemmo and after a man-up goal from Potsdam, Jojo Williams added a score in the penalty off a feed from Baldinger following a yellow handed to Potsdam.
 
Amy Whitman capped the offensive night for her team as the junior defender registered her first career goal with about two minutes left to play. Following a nice save around the crease from Izzy Miraglia, the Hawks were quick to get the ball over in transition. Running on, Whitman found herself wide open and cut toward goal with Williams feeding a nice pass to the stick of Whitman who moved the goalie and smoothly placed the ball into the back of the net to solidify the 18-5 outcome.  
Whitman was one of the many highlights for SUNY New Paltz, as she was one of nine Hawks to register a point in a balanced attack. They were led however by their two senior starting attackers Atwater and Baldinger, each totaling six points. Atwater added a game-high five goals and an assist with two ground balls, two caused turnovers and five draw controls, while Baldinger recorded three goals, three assists, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Fellow senior Matthews followed, as she posted a career-high four points to go along with a career-high three ground balls.
 
Defensively, the team was led by Wohlmut with the senior totaling a game-high three caused turnovers, one ground ball and a draw control. Piper Mascaros earned the start in goal and was awarded the win, making one stop in 15 minutes. Gabriella Tommaso played the second quarter and made one stop with Miraglia finishing the second half and notching four saves to aid in the victory.
 
Potsdam truly struggled in the clear as SUNY New Paltz forced 22 Bears turnovers in the game with most coming in the midfield in transition. Potsdam went just 9-for-21 on the clear, while the Hawks were successful on 12-for-15 and won the turnover battle, 22-14 in the game with only five in the first half.
 
SUNY New Paltz returns home for a highly anticipated matchup against fellow SUNYAC undefeated SUNY Cortland Friday at 4 p.m. on North Turf Field.


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