New Paltz Sports Information Department
Middlebury, VT — The State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team ended a historic season Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Tufts University, 5-2.
The Hawks season comes to an end at 17-3 overall, but finish the year as one of the most successful teams in program history, setting the record for most wins, making the second round of the NCAA Tournament for just the fourth time in program history and were led by a decorated senior class, which finish their careers as two-time SUNYAC Champions, playing in three NCAA Tournament games in their three seasons in the program.
"What was really important to them was that we were connected as a program," said Hawks coach Shanna Szablinski. "That we were one of the best teams in our conference and in our region and we were working hard and growing and that was something they displayed throughout the entire season, throughout the entire pandemic and it really made a tremendous impact on our overall program and on the season. Our leaders, who are four seniors, Jess [Ascencao], Ryan [Dowling], Courtney [Kruzikas] and Shannon [Bernhardt] did a great job of stepping up and keeping everybody focused on our goals and keeping momentum going into the playoffs."
The Jumbos (15-4) got out to the early lead five minutes into the first quarter. Gillian Roeca worked her way in front of goal and beat Hawks goalie Ryan Dowling far corner for the score. Roeca doubled up on the lead, countering on SUNY New Paltz's first scoring opportunity of the game. Shannon Bernhardt fired a shot from the top of the circle that went just wide, but then was hit with a green card with Tufts immediately capitalizing with Roeca scoring an unassisted goal in transition.
Tufts narrowly added on in the final seconds of the quarter, but Kyra D'Amico came up big with a tackle and Dowling stepped up for the stop to preserve the 2-0 game. The Jumbos scored their third on a penalty corner midway through the second quarter, as Roeca picked up her third goal of the game to extend her team's advantage.
Claire Foley scored Tufts fourth goal two minutes into the second half, ripping a shot that Dowling got a piece of but still found the top corner netting for the score. The Jumbos continued putting pressure on and with the slick conditions due to heavy rain, footing was hard to find. Kayla Ahern came across to defend on the play but slipped on the turf allowing Roeca to find Beth Krikorian in front of goal for the score.
SUNY New Paltz held Tufts offense from there though and continued to fight. Morgan Gunter helped the Hawks to their first goal, intercepting a pass down the sideline then working her way into the circle and earning a penalty corner for her team. Julia Cummings played in the pass to Jessica Ascencao who ripped a shot from the top of the circle. A Tufts defender got her stick on the attempt, but Cummings followed up to knock in the rebound in front of goal.
"The NESCAC is a whole other level. Walking into Middlebury alone and just seeing the resources that they have and the facilities and then having that ability to play on astroturf, recruiting internationally — their just faster, stronger and more detailed program," Szablinski said. "They have a rich tradition of being successful and winning a couple national championships, so we knew it was going to be very challenging, but we also knew we had nothing to lose to go out there and give everything we had."
The Hawks added on another in the final seconds of the game. Earning a corner with 14.6 seconds remaining, Jamie Wagner, with less than two seconds to go, found the rebound on the initial save off a shot by Ascencao, and scored her eighth of the season and finalized the 5-2 outcome.
"No matter what was happening we didn't quit. We didn't give up and I think that speaks to who we are as a program," Szablinski said. "I know 5-2 is not the result we wanted, but we never stopped fighting when we were behind by a pretty large lead. I think it's just a true testament of how we conduct ourselves. That's how we do things. We were all hoping for a much better outcome, but I also know that we all fought really hard throughout the entire duration. That's really important."
The Jumbos out-shot SUNY New Paltz, 24-8 in the contest, including 16-5 on shots on goal, while earning five penalty corners to the Hawks' three. Wagner led her team with three shots off the bench, followed by Ascencao with two. Dowling recorded five saves with Mackenzie Mortimer playing the final 22 minutes and finished with six stops.
"Having a large senior class that has had experience their freshmen year and missing their junior year due to COVID, it just really has built a sense of urgency of taking every opportunity that we have," Szablinski said. "The senior class really took the underclassmen under their wings and taught them what it really means to be a part of New Paltz Field Hockey. I think they did a really great job of making sure that the growth they had through their four years that we continue to figure out how to gain a competitive advantage no matter what the circumstances were."
