SUNY New Paltz Field Hockey Game Preview: St. John Fisher College

Coming off a promising weekend where the State University of New York at New Paltz came away with two wins, both in dominating performances, the team moves forward hoping to stay undefeated when they face St. John Fisher College for their first home game in nearly two years.

 
"After our opening weekend, we played two

great teams in St. Lawrence and Utica. They had a lot of fast forwards and we were able to stay composed," said Hawks senior back Kyra D'Amico. "So, we're happy about our two wins but we're not complacent and we're looking forward to our new competition on Saturday."

 
SUNY New Paltz (2-0) go into the weekend confident in their squad, which out-shot Utica and St. Lawrence, 32-12 with a 25-10 advantage in corners. Although the result against the hosting Saints was only 1-0, the Hawks possessed in the hosts offensive third most of the game and created 17 corner opportunities, which in turn was where their lone goal came from. 

"I think we had a quick second to just take in that while we're a strong team, we play to each other's strengths," D'Amico said. "We play well together, and just holding onto that, staying composed in every situation that we don't have control over to just really just controlling the controlables and pulling out two wins."

 
Both wins came without former All-Region selection in senior Jessica Ascencao and starting senior midfielder Shannon Bernhardt who are both expected back for the team's bout with the Cardinals. Stepping up in larger roles was a stout sophomore trio of Morgan Woolley, Hannah Ackerman and Sam Moran. The three missed out on a freshman season due to COVID-19, but the three opened up their collegiate careers like veterans — all three played big in both victories for SUNY New Paltz

 
"Hannah, Sam and Morgan really stepped-up big time," D'Amico said. "They haven't had a full regular season with us, but you couldn't even tell on the field. They took their positions on the field, they were confident, they moved the ball well, they communicated well, so we're going to bring that into the rest of the season and we're really happy to have those three solid players on our team."

 
St. John Fisher will be a tough early-season test for the Hawks. The Cardinals () opened up the season against Williams Smith College and went into a four-overtime thriller, ultimately falling, 5-4. They bounced back three days later with a 1-0 victory over Ithaca College, out shooting the Bombers, 10-8. On Wednesday, they paid a visit to SUNY Geneseo for a night game against the Knights and were shutout in a 2-0 loss.

 
Through three games, St. John Fisher is averaging less than two goals per game, while conceding just more than two a contest. Their leading scorer heading into the weekend is freshman Molly Fisher, who's netted four of the team's five goals thus far. Fifth year forward Bre Stocker follows offensively, recording a goal and two assists. Sophomore Sophia Trozzi has played every minute in goal for the Cardinals, averaging 3.3 goals against per game with 16 saves on 33 shots faced.

 
"St. John Fisher is a really good team. They have a lot of fast forwards. They're pretty intense every time we play them," D'Amico said. "It has been a while since we played them, so we don't know what we're going in to, but we're going to come out as a strong front and we're going to be confident in our preparation and our ability to pull out a win."

 
For the Hawks, Ackerman and junior Jamie Wagner lead the team with four points apiece. Wagner added two goals, while Ackerman registered a goal and two assists. Junior back Julia Cummings with three points, registering a goal and an assist thus far, while Moran, Woolley, junior Natasia Plunkett and Amanda Quennville have all tallied one goal through two games. Cummings, Moran and seniors Kyra D'Amico and Kayla Ahern are the only four Hawks to play every minute of their last two wins, while Mackenzie Mortimer has gotten the last two starts in goal. The senior totaled four saves on five shots faced.

 
The last time SUNY New Paltz faced St. John Fisher was in 2019 with the Hawks falling on the road to the Cardinals, 5-2.
 
SUNY New Paltz, who are honoring last year's graduating senior class prior to the game, are hoping to return the favor in their home opener Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
"I mean, we're pumped," added D'Amico. "We know how it feels to lose something we love, so we're playing like that and we're excited to be home."