New Paltz, NY — Entering its program's 39th season, the State University of New York at New Paltz Women's Soccer team is looking to set a new tone for the season ahead and chase an eluding SUNYAC championship title.
Transitioning from preseason play, the Hawks enter the regular season with two scrimmages, over a week of practices, and a lot to look forward to
"Preseason was grueling," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg. "There was a sense of adversity that a lot of players, both newcomers and the returners experienced more physical challenge than they are used to."
"We are also dealing with several injuries, none that are long-standing, but just a product of our environment," said Eckberg "All around, the attitude and energy working through those challenges is exciting to see."
Last season, Eckberg led the team to an 8-5-5 overall finish, and 4-2-3 in SUNYAC, before falling in the conference tournament's quarterfinal round to the Oswego Lakers.
Despite the untimely finish in 2023, SUNY New Paltz heads into its 2024 campaign with a strong roster, which includes 19 returning players. Leading the team is the 2023 SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year senior captain Rachel Eisert (Bellmore, NY/Wellington C. Mepham High School). Eisert was an offensive catalyst last year for the Hawks, totaling 12 goals and seven assists, breaking the single-season points record with 31. Forward Gaby Treble (Oyster Bay, NY/Oyster Bay HS) comes off a tremendous season as well. The senior earned herself an All-SUNYAC first-team selection, netted 12 goals total, and broke the long-standing single-game goal record (4) and single-game points record (8).
"This preseason has been a true testament to how committed we are to chasing a SUNYAC championship this fall — we are relentless, hungry, and resilient this year," said Treble. "Our expectation for this season is to do whatever it takes to achieve our goal and everyone on the team has bought into our process to get there."
"Gaby had arguably the best preseason I've ever seen a player have since I have been here," said Eckberg. "Her commitment to her craft and the grit she has shown in training has shown in gameplay.
Anchoring the team in net is senior captain Maddie Franklin (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa HS). Franklin clocked the most minutes of any player (1,547) and ended the season with a 0.771 save percentage, with 54 shots saved and five shutouts. Joining Franklin is sophom*ore goalie Madelyn Jachimiak (Wallkill, NY/Wallkill HS), who appeared in four games last season and saved six of her seven shots faces. Freshman keeper Jessica Centeri (Selden, NY/Newfield HS) also joins the keeper selection. Centeri, alongside fellow recruit Kara Jahrsdoefer, helped lead their club NY Surf 06 team to the NYS Cup Championship and USYS Championship.
This year Eckberg brought in, along with Centeri and Jahrsdoefer, four other recruits to the team — totaling five freshmen and two transfers, which includes sophom*oremidfielder Abby Dolge (Marist) and graduate student forward Kennedy Jones (Sage).Three Hawks will also look to return to the field this season from previous season-ending injuries.
"Our freshman are fitting into their roles well," Treble said. "[And] our returners also have brought a new level of competition in with them this year."
Dolge(Valarie, NY/Ichabod Crane HS), whowas a first-team All-NYS selection, should see time in the Hawks' midfield line, alongside fellow Marist transfer and midfielder Laney Schmitz (Bohemia/Connetquot HS). Two freshmen, Abby Macleod (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon High School) and All-Division II recipient Alyssa Deutsch (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip High School), will also be vying for time in the midfield lineup next to the incumbent starters of All-SUNYAC First-Team pick Alexis DeLeo (Harriman, NY/Monroe-Woodbury HS) and junior Mia Baldinger (Massapequa/Massapequa HS)
Other notable players in the lineup include All-SUNYAC Third-Team forward Brooke Kelleher(Smithtown, NY/School Smithtown West HS) who netted three goals and dished out two assists for eight points last season after coming off a SUNYAC Rookie of the Year campaign in 2022. Junior captain Hannah Wellinger (Massapequa/Massapequa NY) is another truly vital player on the field for SUNY New Paltz, as she started 17 of 18 games played last season and tallied 1,493 minutes played, the second most on the squad. She will man one of the starting center back spots alongside senior Emma Voege (East Northport, NY/John Glenn HS). Another freshmen duo of NYS Class AA champion Jahrsdoefer (Massapequa/Massapequa HS) and All-League II pick Grace Lien (Centereach, NY/Centereach HS) will look to get time on the back line as well and add depth to the defensive end.
Losing only three players from last year's lineup, the Hawks return a veteran team who can not only use experiences from previous seasons, but the lessons learned from two preseason scrimmages against Hartwick College and Vassar College.
"We walk away with many red flags from our two preseason scrimmages [with] vastly different outcomes from both matches," said Eckberg. "They were great opportunities for us to play two opponents who each offered something different.
After a preseason of intense work and competition, SUNY New Paltz also head into this season with a new sense of grit and perseverance.
The Hawks kick off their regular season Fridaywhen they face Russell Sage College, whom SUNY New Paltz has not lost to since 2016, on the road at 7 p.m. The following week, they face three challenging opponents including Montclair State University on Sep. 4, Stockton University on Sep. 7, and Drew University on Sep. 8 to begin the slew of the Hawks' non-conference matches.
"It is very much about taking what we can and what is in our control in making our process better," said Eckberg. "All around there is a lot for us to address, but it is a collective understanding that what we expect in game number one is not what we expect in game number 20."
"Above all else, we are all just happy to be back playing with each other every day," added Treble.
Seaon Preview Featuring Rachel Eisert & Maddie Franklin
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