The State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz women’s soccer team achieved their first win of the season last Wednesday with a commanding win over the SUNY Old Westbury Panthers. The Hawks’ 9-0 shutout victory on Wednesday, Sept. 4 tied their personal best for most goals scored in a game, which was set in 2006.
The Hawks began their season 0-2, losing 3-1 to the Dickinson College Red Devils and getting shut out 3-0 by the Widener University Pride.
“The start of this season was not the start we had hoped for, but our last two games have been great building blocks for the rest of our season,” said fourth-year midfielder Alex Wild. “We’ve been working hard in practice and with all of the freshmen that came in this year we’re really starting to connect as a team.”
The Hawks started the game off strong and never relinquished control. First-year forward Siena Diaz-Colon was the first to score for New Paltz at 5:03 in the initial half. At 30:35, third-year forward Sky Pedroza tallied another one for the Hawks. Less than a minute later, at 31:17, first-year midfielder Katie Buquicchio kicked in her first NCAA goal, putting the Hawks up 3-0 at the end of the first half.
The second half proved even more successful for the Hawks. First-year forward Ally Donovan put home her second goal of the season at 48:21. Second-year midfielder Caitlin Ruoti tallied another at 52:14, followed by a goal by Wild at 65:54, putting the Hawks up 6-0 on their opponent. The goal margin grew wider when Pedroza scored again, giving New Paltz a 7-0 advantage. The Hawks closed out the game with two goals by second-year defender Erika McCue and Donovan, respectively, to give New Paltz a 9-0 win.
“Overall as a team, we want to bring positive energy every time we step on the practice field and in games,” Donovan said. “Pushing our teammates and being supportive every play is something we value a lot in the program. We want to improve from last year and be competitive in every game.”
The Hawks shut-down offense put 34 shots on goal and saw five different players getting assists. Pedroza and Donovan both had five shots on goal. New Paltz played extremely well defensively, not giving up a single Panthers shot through the entire game.
“I’m looking forward to us continuing with the strides we’ve made,” said second-year defender Raegan Ehring. “I’m excited to carry over the enthusiasm and excitement we have in practices into each and every one of our games.”
The women’s soccer team is lined up to play the Manhattanville College Valiants in Purchase on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m.