Box Score New Paltz, NY — With about 10 minutes left in the first half Friday, Gabriela Cabello received a pass inside the six, took a slight touch around Fredonia State goalkeeper Marissa Quimbly and placed her shot in the back of the net. Her goal not only knotted the score at one for the State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team, but also shifted momentum completely toward the Hawks. What followed were two more unanswered goals to lift SUNY New Paltz to its first SUNYAC victory in nearly two years.
 
"It honestly feels amazing, and regardless when it happened in the season we really deserved it as a group of girls to just come out strong and win, and really lift ourselves up toward the end of the season," said Cabello following the 3-1 victory. "I think the moment we stepped on there was just an energy and we were just ready to come out and play… We knew that it was just time for us to win. We really deserved it and we played well collectively as a group really, really well and I am very proud of us."
 
It was a collective effort from the Hawks (5-11-1 overall, 1-6-1 SUNYAC), who were determined to bounce back from a tough 8-0 loss against SUNY Oneonta, and finally put an end to their five-game losing skid.
 
"It meant a lot," Cabello said. "We're a team full of heart and for us to come back from a loss like that it just shows that we truly, truly care about this program and we're ready to still fight no matter what."
 
Possession seamed split evenly between SUNY New Paltz and the Blue Devils (6-10-1 overall, 2-5-1 SUNYAC), with Fredonia State getting some pressure from their forward Aleeya Clemnons, while the Hawks built up play in their final third to earn three set pieces around the box within the first 10 minutes.
 
However, the Blue Devils struck first on just their second shot on frame. Clemnons ran onto a through ball, dribbled past a defender and sliced her attempt past Hawks goalkeeper Angela Ratka to put her team up, 1-0.
 
But, SUNY New Paltz tightened its defense from there and allowed just six more shots.
 
"Give a lot of credit to New Paltz. I thought they played hard," said Fredonia coach Chris Chase. "I think we could have played better, but I think part of that is due to New Paltz doing some things to us that forced us to make some bad decisions. It is kind of disappointing for us for sure."
 
The Hawks continued putting dangerous crosses and passes inside the six-yard box and ultimately capitalized with their first goal in the 36^th minute.
 
SUNY New Paltz's Alicia Fanni held possession just outside the box. She took a few touches before finding Cabello who made a run inside the six. Cabello then calmly took a touch around a Blue Devil defender and goalkeeper Marissa Quimbly, before placing her shot in the back of the empty net.
 
"It is the first time this year we responded from being down and after being scored on first. So I think that says a lot about the character, individually and collectively," said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. "Fredonia was dangerous and behind early, and I feel like our back line adjusted as the game went on, which is what we asked them to do. Is to adjust as necessary on both sides on the ball."
 
SUNY New Paltz doubled its goal total and took the lead just seconds later. Danielle Grossi put in a dangerous ball inside the box, which deflected off a Fredonia defender and went in the back of the net for what turned out as the game-winning goal.
 
Grossi was the catalyst on the Hawks' third and final goal in the 62^nd minute. She created some space toward the left half of the Blue Devils box, took a touch and set a low cross slicing through the six, where it found Julia Friedman who tapped in her second goal of the season.
 
"I think today was a good example of a lot of our attack was generated from sustained pressure, and regaining possession, getting crosses, getting to the end line," Eckberg said. "Great third goal from [Grossi] across over to Julia, but needless to say, I think they did well to attack their back three and dribble at them. To make them commit and then be tactically sound and making the right choices."
 
SUNY New Paltz out-shot Fredonia, 17-10 in the game including 9-6 on target. The Hawks also held the advantage on corners, 5-2.
 
Ratka and Katelyn Cordero split time in net for SUNY New Paltz, totaling two and three saves, respectively.
 
"I think New Palz probably knows, it is hard to go on the road and win no matter the place in the standings," Chase said. "There are a lot of good teams in this conference and it is a competitive situation. We just have to play better when we arrive for a game that's all. We need to play 90 minutes, instead of playing 40."
 
The Hawks are back home Saturday against Buffalo State at 1 p.m., while the Blue Devils will face SUNY Oneonta, also at 1 p.m.
 
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