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SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND – #5 NEW PALTZ HAWKS AT #4 BUFFALO STATE BENGALS
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 12:00 PMCoyer Field – Buffalo, NY
FOLLOW ALONG…
TICKET INFORMATION LIVE STATSVIDEO (OFFICIAL SUNYAC BROADCAST) LAST TIME OUT… In their final matchup of the 2025 regular season, the Bengals fell at home, 1-0, to Plattsburgh State on Senior Day. Kaylee Valentic (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) led Buffalo State with six total shots, including three on goal. In net, Taylor Clisson (Syracuse, NY/Solvay) made five saves between the pipes for the Bengals.
THE MATCHUP… For the first time since 2016, the Buffalo State women’s soccer team will host a SUNYAC playoff game on Coyer Field. Clinching the No. 4 seed in the conference, the Bengals will look to avenge an earlier season draw as they host the No. 5 seed New Paltz Hawks.
Saturday’s matchup will mark the 31st all-time meeting between the two programs, with the Bengals holding a 13-12-6 advantage in the series. The Bengals last defeated the Hawks in 2019, with this year’s draw snapping a four-match losing skid against the Hawks.
After clinching a playoff berth last fall as the No. 5 seed, the Bengals return for their second straight postseason appearance, marking their first back-to-back playoff berths since 2015–16 and the first under interim head coach Victoria Caruso.
For the Hawks, this marks their fifth consecutive SUNYAC postseason appearance. Last season, they defeated the Fredonia Blue Devils in the semifinals before beating the Cortland Red Dragons in the SUNYAC Championship. The Hawks went on to fall in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament to Amherst College.
The winner of Saturday’s matchup will advance to the SUNYAC semifinals to face top-seeded Cortland on November 5th (time TBA).
LAST TIME WE MET… In their most recent meeting, the Bengals and Hawks battled to a 1-1 draw in New Paltz. Emily Maczka (Buffalo, NY/East Aurora) scored the lone goal for Buffalo State, while goalkeeper Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine) recorded nine saves in 70 minutes of play.
The Bengals struck first in the seventh minute before the Hawks responded with sustained offensive pressure. Buffalo State’s backline held firm through halftime, maintaining a 1-0 lead at the break. New Paltz leveled the score in the 54th minute, and the match was ultimately called in the 70th minute due to injury, resulting in a draw.Addison Weiner scored the tying goal for the Hawks, while Jess Centeri made two saves in goal.
THE BENGAL BREAKDOWN… At 7-6-5 overall (4-2-3 SUNYAC), the Bengals enters the tournament seeking its first SUNYAC postseason win since 2016. The Bengals have gone 1-1-2 over their last four contests and aim to secure their first victory since October 15th.
SENIOR FAREWELL… Senior midfielder Emily Maczka (Buffalo, NY/Williamsville North) wrapped up the regular season leading the Bengals with 16 points (four goals, eight assists). Fellow senior midfielder Kaylee Valentic (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) followed closely with 13 points (five goals, three assists).
BREAKING RECORDS… With her 13 points this season, Valentic now ranks fifth all-time in career scoring in program history, surpassing former Bengal standout Melissa Smith.
DEFENSIVE WALL… Goalkeepers Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine), Taylor Clisson (Syracuse, NY/Solvay), Liz Flores (Hurst, TX/Colleyville Heritage) and Kellie Brewer (Marion, NY/Sodus) combined to allow just 28 goals this season, the fewest given up by a Buffalo State team since 2022.
RESEARCHING THE HAWKS… New Paltz will travel for the opening round for the first time since 2012 after finishing 7-3-6 overall (3-1-5 SUNYAC).
The Hawks rank just behind Buffalo State in total goals during conference play (17 to the Bengals’ 19) and trail only Cortland for the fewest goals allowed (five).
Offensively, Brooke Kelleher leads the Hawks with 14 points (five goals, four assists), while Mia Baldinger has chipped in 12 points (four goals, three assists).
The Hawks will look to defend its 2024 SUNYAC Championship title with hopes of another postseason run.
Coaches Corner… Head coach Victoria Caruso shared her thoughts ahead of the postseason matchup: “This weekend starts a brand-new season that the team has been working toward for over a year. We’re excited for a home game in front of our family and friends against a quality opponent. It’s another opportunity for our team to show what they can do in this conference and move on to the next round.”
SCHEDULES/RESULTS…
BUFFALO STATE BENGALS: 7-6-5 (4-2-3 SUNYAC)
NEW PALTZ HAWKS: 7-3-6 (3-1-5 SUNYAC)
