On Saturday, Nov. 9, the SUNY New Paltz women’s soccer team triumphed in a thrilling showdown against Cortland to clinch the SUNYAC Championship at South Turf Field, showcasing their talent and determination this season. Their win against the reigning SUNYAC champions secured them a spot in the NCAA tournament which will be only their second time in over 10 years.
The first half of the match had a 0-0 result but then 20 minutes after the second half, fourth-year forward, Parris Burke scored with an assist from third-year midfielder Mia Baldinger. 10 minutes later, a penalty kick goal from third-year forward Brooke Kelleher. “My favorite highlight from that match was when Parris scored the game-winning goal, the energy everyone felt after that was something I cannot describe in words,” said Kelleher. “Scoring the penalty was such a liberating feeling because it put us up two-nothing. All this happened because of the way we trained in which it all came down to the entire team. When we won the game, I was filled with so much joy and gratitude for all my teammates. We had been working so hard for that moment since Aug. 16, and it feels great to finally call ourselves SUNYAC champs.”
SUNY New Paltz reaped the rewards with a program-best total of nine selections for the All-SUNYAC awards. On Thursday, the Hawks were awarded with accolades such as SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coaching Staff of the Year.
Rachel Eisert, fourth-year forward and Senior captain, received the SUNYAC Women’s Soccer Tournament MVP. “Winning the SUNYAC Tournament MVP was very cool. We had never been in that position before and to be recognized for such a high honor like that in a spot that our team has never seen before was cool and I am grateful for that experience,” Eisert said. “We had been talking about coming up on top of the SUNYAC tournament since my freshman year. Especially the senior class, this is a special moment for us because we knew that if we stuck to the process that thing would work out the way it was supposed to.”
The Hawks had an amazing season, putting up a 10-game win streak and securing the postseason No. 1 seed for the first time in program history. Last year the Hawks managed to get a No. 4 seed, but this time it was a goal for them to come up on top. Third-year defender and co-captain Hannah Wellinger discussed how crucial it was for them to remain No. 1 seed. “This was our first time getting the first seed and before the season started, we talked about not setting the goal for SUNYAC but setting the goal and mindset that we needed to win our matches,” said Wellinger. “We went into this season with so much confidence and we were led by a really good class of seniors who wanted to go in giving everything they got, considering it’s their last year.”
Wellinger added that everyone on the team contributed to the outcome of their win and season. “We have such a diverse group that everyone is a key player, we commend ourselves about game changers: people coming off the bench, changing the game. The one highlight that stands out to me is our goalkeeper, Maddie Franklin. She got Defensive Player of the Year this year. She saved two penalty kicks during our season, which is unheard of, and goes to show how much of a talented performer she is.”
Mike Eckberg, head coach at New Paltz since 2017, highlighted the senior class’s leadership and the high-performance feedback that created a competitive training environment. “The players didn’t panic and they didn’t lose sight of what they were trying to do. I think we defended very well and we had some brilliant attacking moments that we took advantage of,” Eckberg said. “After the game, I think it was just pure elation for our student-athletes to see just what they put forth since Aug. 16, and even well before that. We went through a lot of trials and tribulations, and for it to culminate in winning the final.”
During the spring, the team went through some acknowledgment that they needed to reconvene and rebuild the team. Second-year defender Erin Savarese noted the transformation the team has made since then. “The spring is when our real transformation definitely started. I think we emphasized more in the spring, not that we didn’t emphasize the physical part of soccer, but the mental component and our emotional strength,” said Savarese. “[We were] dealing with hardships, taking accountability, and we had meetings once a week where we talked about different things we needed to work on. So going into this season, we were emotionally stronger and could endure anything, [but] still come out on top.”
Looking ahead to the NCAA tournament, Eckberg expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to face top-tier competition, particularly Amherst. “Anticipation is now brewing, and now they’re in a spot that they haven’t been before. But I don’t think that’s created a level of discomfort for them. Their process is still the same, and that’s what’s carried them to this point thus far,” said Eckberg. “They’ve done a phenomenal job in training that just really has created, you know, the outcomes that they ultimately desired. So going to Rochester this weekend for the NCAA tournament, we play Amherst in the first round game who is a top team in the country. I believe are well equipped to be able to meet the challenge that’s going to present itself on Saturday.”
Their participation at the NCAA Division III tournament came to an end on Nov. 11 when they fell against Amherst. The Hawks put up a good fight defensively, including nine saves from Franklin. At the half, the Hawks and Mammoths were tied, but SUNY New Paltz could not net a goal before Amherst put in two consecutive shots. The contest ended 2-0 and was the conclusion of the Hawks’ historic season.