New Paltz, NY — Last season saw the Hawks finish 14-5-1, seemingly a solid year for any number of college field hockey programs. But, for the State University of New York New Paltz, under coach Shanna Szablinski, the only successful season finish is with a SUNYAC trophy in hand.
SUNY New Paltz scored 58 goals in 2023, averaging 3.08 goals per game, while the defense posted a meager 1.18 goals against average limiting opponents to just 8.8 shots per game. Yet those 14 wins and outstanding statistics are bittersweet for the Hawks field hockey team. Without the SUNYAC championship and the automatic NCAA DIII tournament berth that accompanies it, the Hawks could feel that 2023 was not as successful as it should have been.
The Hawks fought valiantly last season, earning a trip to the SUNYAC Championship game for the eighth time, facing longtime rival SUNY Cortland on the Red Dragons turf. However, the theme all season long was the inability to put the ball in the back of the cage, and that trait lingered into the finals where they fell, 2-1. That loss serves as motivation as the team returns all but one starter while bringing back 16 players including mainstays in fifth-year seniors Hannah Ackerman and Morgan Woolley.
"Coming back for a fifth year, knowing that it is the last time that I get to play, stepping onto the field, I think we have a really competitive group and a really fun group that is close," Woolley said. "I think my mindset has definitely shifted a little bit that I am more focused on the younger players and establishing a base for years to come while also trying to bring them along with me. I know coming onto the field this season, I just really want it to be a fun season for us. Obviously also go far, but at the same time having fun, enjoying field hockey because that's when we play best."
The annual goal for Szablinski, now entering her 15th season at the helm of the Hawks has always been to earn that trip to the national tournament. Under Szablinski's tutelage, New Paltz has appeared in 14 consecutive SUNYAC tournaments, which includes nine times in the finals and six SUNYAC titles, six trips to the NCAA DIII tournament, with four second round appearances.
The coming 2024 season could see the Hawks recapture the lightning to win the SUNYAC title and a seventh invitation to the Big Show. New Paltz returns the heart of last season's team, losing only three players in the off season. While they face a smaller SUNYAC schedule with the departure of Geneseo and Brockport to the Empire 8 Conference, there are at least two conference foes that will seriously challenge for the title. Add to that an absolutely challenging non-conference schedule, featuring eight teams that saw postseason action, with three earning conference championships and five entering the NCAA DIII tournament and you have the making of a season to remember.
Midfielder Hannah Ackerman (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East HS) earned All-American, All-Region and All-SUNYAC honors a year ago and in her 1,204 minutes played, scored seven goals and 13 assists. Morgan Woolley (Blue Point, NY/Bayport-Blue Point HS), earned All SUHYAC Second-Team honors while anchoring the stingy Hawks defense in her 1,157 minutes of play, adding three goals, two assists, one game winning goal and one defensive save.
Senior captain Emily McGovern (Yorktown Heights, NY/Lakeland HS) played 463 minutes on the tough New Paltz defense and contributed one defensive save for the Hawks.
Two junior captains bring their experience to the fore. Forward Rachel Tama (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay-East Fishkill HS) saw 1,094 minutes of play, scoring 10 goals and 13 assists with a .721 shots on goal percentage to earn All-Region Second Team and All SUNYAC First Team honors. Goalkeeper Gail Comiskey (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford HS) started all 19 games with 1,094 minutes, with 88 saves on 106 chances for a .753 save percentage, along with six shutouts on the season.
"We're greatly anticipating this freshmen class of hard workers and all throughout preseason constantly asking questions, being total sponges of the game and just taking in as much information as possible, and the returners have really stepped up in holding everyone accountable and preaching good habits," Comiskey said. "It doesn't really even matter who's an underclassmen or upperclassmen, everyone is really stepping up and supporting each other."
The senior class is represented by forward Amanda Quenneville (Centerport, NY/Harborfields HS) whose 1,053 minutes included 10 goals and five assists, with a team leading six game winning goals. Defender Emily Brown (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville, NY) started 12 of 15 games for 678 minutes and led the defense with four defensive saves.
The junior class, in addition to Tama and Comiskey, is well represented. Forward Miranda Britton (Sayville, NY/Sayville HS) contributed 11 goals and two assists with two game winning goals in 824 minutes of play. Midfielder Meghan Gunning (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsweogue HS) and defenders Madeline Meyer (Halfmoon, NY/Shenendehowa HS) and Madelyn Graves (Penfield, NY/Penfield HS) saw the Hawks limit opponents to a measly 8.8 shot on goal per game. Gunning started all 19 games and added to the offense with three goals and two assists and one game winning goal. Meyer also started all 19 games with 1,127 minutes on the field and three defensive saves. Graves saw action in five games earning valuable experience for this season.
As first year players a year ago, five sophom*ores gained valuable experience, learning from last year veteran squad. Goalie Madison Orsini (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac HS) saw action in 10 games a year ago: midfielders Katie Singleton (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West HS) and Maya O'Keefe (Mahopac NY, Mahopac HS) saw playing time in 13 and 10 games, respectively.
Singleton contributed two assists in 2023. Defenders Gabrielle Barth (Commack, NY/Commack HS) and Lil Schaub (Mamaroneck, NHY/ Rye Neck HS) saw action in six and four games, respectively.
"I think if we stay gritty and control what we can in the moment, be where our feet are, we can do anything," said Comiskey.
The future is almost always now for Szablinski and this year's recruiting class is no exception. Five outstanding scholastic players join the ranks of the Hawks, each hoping to make an impact during their first collegiate season.
Forward Ashley McGough (Carmel, NY/Carmel HS) was All-Section One, All-League and a Lohud Section One 2023 Players to Watch pick. Forward/Midfielder Jenna Bidwell (Whitney Point, NY/Whitney Point HS) brings a winning tradition with her, being starter on the Eagles three-time NYS Class C Champions and helping Whitney Point to a 19-0 2023 record and a 58-0 record over three seasons. Midfielder Elizabeth Austin (Bethlehem, NY/Bethlehem Central HS) was All-Suburban Council First Team pick in 2022, 2023 and helped lead the Eagles to the 2022 Section II, Division I, Class A championship and 2023 Sectional II Class A semifinals. Defenders Sophia Bronzi (Hopewell Junction, NY/Arlington HS) earned All Section One and Poughkeepsie Journal First Team honors in 2023 and was listed as one of the Poughkeepsie Journal's Elite 11 field hockey players for 2023. Carina Bennardo (Huntington, NY/Harborfields HS) earned All-Suffolk County honors along with being picked to the NFHCA 2024 National Senior Impact Team.
"I think specifically Soph [Bronzi] and Ellie [Austin] getting thrown into different positions, low center mid and left mid, I think it's a lot to learn as a forward and I think they're doing a great job with coach getting on them and all the upperclassmen getting on them," Woolley said."I think Miranda [Britton] is doing a good job keeping up the intensity. Graves stepping up into different roles and we even have new captains, Gail and Gov [Emily McGovern] are doing a great job of keeping each other accountable and making sure that practice goes smoothly."
The journey to the SUNYAC crown and the reward of an NCAA DIII tournament appearance begin in earnest this Friday and Saturday at the Utica University Invitational, meeting St. Lawrence University on Friday and Utica University on Saturday. The Hawks beat both teams last season with back-to-back shutouts, outscoring the two opponents, 9-0.
SUNY New Paltz is set to start its 2024 campaign in Utica, NY against the Saints Friday at 4 p.m.
"I think this team definitely has the opportunity and the skill level in order to make it to the championship game," Woolley added."We've got to focus on the little things in order to get there, and just take it one practice and one game at a time. I think we definitely have the ability to make it there. It's all going to come with mindset as well as playing."
Season Preview Featuring Gail Comiskey & Morgan Woolley
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