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ONEONTA, N.Y. — The Oneonta field hockey team is set to travel to face the No. 21 nationally ranked New Paltz Hawks for a crucial SUNYAC tournament semifinal matchup on Wednesday, November 6, at 2 pm, taking place on the North Turf Field. The Red Dragons earned a spot in the tournament as the three seed after concluding their regular season with an overall record of 9-8 and a conference record of 2-2. In contrast, the Hawks, securing the two seed, finished the season with an impressive 13-5 overall record and a 3-1 mark in conference play.
Ticket Information: General admission tickets are priced at $5, with cash payment preferred. Children ages 5-12 can enter for just $3, while those four and under, as well as students from other SUNYAC institutions holding a valid ID, will enjoy free admission.
When these two teams last met on October 5 in Oneonta, New Paltz dominated the match with a 5-1 victory. Junior Molly Miller (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) scored the sole goal for the Red Dragons, while Rachel Tama stood out for the Hawks with an impressive performance, netting three goals and providing one assist. Junior goalkeeper Maura Leib (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) had a standout game as well, achieving a season-high 16 saves.
Sophomore Alexandra Howell (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) has emerged as the offensive leader for Oneonta this season, boasting an impressive 13 goals and five assists for a total of 31 points, placing her fifth in the conference for both goals and points. Contributing significantly to the Red Dragons’ offensive efforts are graduate student Erin Clark (Somers, N.Y./Somers), junior Molly Miller, and freshman Skyler Van Wormer (Guilderland, N.Y./Guilderland). Clark, in particular, showcased her playmaking abilities with 10 assists, ranking her third in the SUNYAC, while also contributing seven goals for a total of 24 points, the ninth most in the conference. Miller’s nine goals earned her the 11th spot for goals in the league and brought her overall tally to 21 points. Van Wormer also made her mark by contributing six goals and five assists, accumulating 17 points to rank 17th in SUNYAC scoring.
On the defensive front, Leib has been a formidable presence, guarding the net for the Red Dragons throughout the season. She has amassed an impressive 142 saves and four shutouts, ranking second in the conference for both metrics. Her .763 save percentage during the season is noteworthy, positioning her as the third-best goalkeeper in the SUNYAC. Additionally, the Oneonta defense has displayed resilience, achieving a total of 12 defensive saves — the highest in the conference — with contributions from six different players. Senior Caitlyn Caulfield (Albany, N.Y./Guilderland) is leading the league with five defensive saves, while junior Gabby Alfinito (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) follows closely with three, tied for second place.
Graduate student Michaela Maniscalco (Northport, N.Y./Northport), senior Emilia Montgomery (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury), and sophomore Abigail Draper (Remsen, NY/Holland Patent) have played a pivotal role for the Red Dragons, starting in every game this season as midfielders or defenders. Maniscalco has not only anchored the defense but also contributed offensively with three goals and two assists for a total of eight points. Draper added depth to the lineup with four assists and a defensive save, while Montgomery provided an assist.
The winner of this significant semifinal clash will earn a place in the SUNYAC Championship, where they will face the winner of the match between No. 1 seed Cortland and No. 4 seed Oswego on Saturday, November 9, at 1 pm, at the home field of the higher seed team still competing.
**Interview with Oneonta Field Hockey Head Coach, Sarah Johnson**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Johnson. Your team has worked hard to earn a spot in the SUNYAC tournament semifinals. What does it mean for you and your players to be competing against a strong team like New Paltz?
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you for having me! It’s incredibly exciting for our team. Competing against a ranked team like New Paltz is a great opportunity for us to showcase our skills and determination. We know it will be a tough match, but we’re ready to bring our best.
**Interviewer:** In your last encounter with New Paltz, the team suffered a significant loss. How do you plan to approach this game differently?
**Coach Johnson:** We’ve had the opportunity to analyze that game closely. While it was a challenging loss, we learned a lot. We’re focusing on improving our defense and creating more scoring opportunities. I believe that our players have grown since that match, and we’ll be coming in with a different mindset and strategy.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of your players, Alexandra Howell has had a fantastic season. Can you tell us about her impact on the team and what she brings to the field?
**Coach Johnson:** Absolutely! Alexandra has been our offensive powerhouse this season. Her ability to score and her vision on the field really elevate our game. She’s not only putting points on the board, but she’s also been inspiring her teammates. I believe her leadership on and off the field has been key to our success this year.
**Interviewer:** The match is set for November 6. What do you think will be the key factors in determining the outcome?
**Coach Johnson:** Preparation and execution will be crucial. We need to play our game, stay disciplined, and capitalize on our chances. We also have to maintain strong communication on the field and support each other defensively. If we can do those things, I’m confident we’ll have a good shot at success.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Johnson. Good luck in the semifinals!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
