Field Hockey Earns Berth in NYSWCAA Tournament

NEW PALTZ — The SUNY New Paltz women’s field hockey team got its season extended Sunday as they received the eighth and final seed in the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYSWCAA) Tournament.

The Hawks will play Wed., November 6th at 2:30 p.m. at top-seeded Manhattanville College, a team that defeated New Paltz in their opening game of the season 10-0.

A victory for the Hawks would send them to the semifinals this Saturday hosted by the highest remaining seed. The University of Rochester holds the second seed behind the Valiants, while Geneseo (#3) and Elmira (#4) will also host opening round games. Mid-Hudson rival Vassar sits at #5, Ithaca at #6, and Oswego is the #7 seed.

New Paltz enters the game 3-13 overall and an 0-5 record against teams in the tournament. The Hawks are led in scoring by freshmen Patricia Erikson (Massapequa Park, NY) and Musu Jackson-Buckner (Buffalo, NY). Erikson has five goals and two assists in her first year while Buckner has four goals of her own.

Manhattanville enters the match with a 12-6 overall record. The Valiants are led by junior co-captain Kristen Coffey (Pleasantville, NY) who has scored 13 goals this season and assisted on 10 others.