The Women’s Soccer team is headed for SUNYAC play with a record of 6-3 after losing three of their last four games.
On Friday, Sept. 12, the Hawks played host to Bard College and were defeated 2-1. First-year forward Gabriela Cabello scored her first career goal in the 44th minute. The goal was assisted by fourth-year Captain Eleni Anselmi. Bard scored two second-half goals in the 51st and 58th minute to secure the victory. New Paltz outshot Bard College 15-8.
New Paltz next took to the road to begin a five-game road trip beginning Saturday, Sept. 13 as they shutout Mount Saint Mary College in a final score of 3-0. Second-year midfielder Skye Kaler, Anselmi and fourth-year midfielder Sarah Painter each tallied a goal for the Hawks in the victory. First-year goalkeeper Katelyn Cordero made six saves to earn her third shutout of the season.
The Hawks next played Union College on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Union scored a goal in the eighth minute to put New Paltz behind. Painter scored a goal in the 26th minute assisted by first-year forward Julia Friedman. However, Union tacked on the go-ahead goal in the 75th minute to seal the 2-1 victory.
On Saturday, Sept. 20 the Lady Hawks were shutout 2-0 by Wheaton College of Massachusetts in the third game of a five-game road trip. The match was scoreless until the second half when Wheaton scored two goals in a span of less than two minutes.
Head Coach Colleen Bruley said that despite the losing-skid in the last four games, the team is prepared for SUNYAC play.
“In the end, we still feel that we’re ready to go,” she said. “Conference play starts this weekend and we’re 0-0-0 again. That’s how everyone looks at it. Conference is really what matters. All of these games are just to prepare us to see what we have and get things organized for conference.”
Anselmi said the team is working hard this week and focusing on how they can improve for the upcoming weekend.
“There’s always room for us to get better, so we’re going to push each other harder than ever this week so we’re prepared for conference play,” she said. “The team’s goals for SUNYAC play are to make it to the tournament this year. We’re more than capable of doing this. We just need to keep playing the way we are and put the ball in the back of the net.”
Bruley said the team’s motto going into SUNYAC play is to play one game at a time.
“We always say that ‘the next game is our most important game, whatever game it is. It’s the most important game of the year,’” she said. “That’s absolutely the case against Cortland. We’re just focusing on Cortland right now.”
The Hawks will close out their five-game road trip as they open up the SUNYAC portion of the schedule, taking on SUNY Cortland Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. and then SUNY Oswego Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.
