State University of New York at New Paltz head field hockey coach Shanna Szablinski has been recognized by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) for her outstanding coaching during the 2018 season, being named SUNYAC Field Hockey Coach of the Year.

In Szablinski's 10th season at the helm of the Hawks, she coached them to one of their most successful seasons in team history. SUNY New Paltz completed a 10-7 regular season that saw them achieve a 5-1 record in SUNYAC play. As the top overall seed in the SUNYAC tournament, the Hawks won both the semifinal and the championship games by just one goal. On Nov. 3, SUNY New Paltz topped SUNY Cortland 2-1 in a thriller that went down to wire. After falling down 1-0 in the first four minutes, Kaitlyn Gunter drilled home her seventh goal of the year at 19:40, to knot the game up at one. The score did not change until 15 minutes into the second half when Jackie Kanapes scored her first goal of the year to give the Hawks their first lead of the game. SUNY New Paltz's defense, backed by Ryan Dowling in goal, held strong in the final 10 minutes to cement the Hawks the 2018 SUNYAC Championship title.

Since taking over the program in 2009, Szablinski has turned the Hawks into a power house in the conference, taking home five conference championships in 10 years. Her Coach of the Year selection is the fourth she has won during her tenure. In 2018, Szablinski coached five players to All-SUNYAC nods, including Rookie of the Year.

To view the full SUNYAC field hockey All-Conference list, click here.

The women's field hockey team earned five spots on the SUNYAC All-Conference List, which include:
 

Rookie of the Year/First-Team All-SUNYAC: Jessica Ascencao

Jessica Ascencao made her first season of collegiate field hockey one to remember, where she landed herself the title of Rookie of the Year, as well as First-Team All-SUNYAC. She leads the Hawks in goals (12) and points (27), while starting every game during her freshman campaign. The Lakeland High grad also ranks in the top categories among the SUNYAC, finishing fourth in goals and fourth in points, while is also one of the best players in the conference defensively, helping a Hawks defense yield less than two goals per game. 

 

First-Team All-SUNYAC: Maggie Cottrell

Senior Maggie Cottrell had a stout final season as a Hawk. After being named Second-Team All-SUNYAC during her junior season, Cottrell surpassed herself and earned a well-deserved First-Team All-SUNYAC nod. Cottrell for the second consecutive season started every single game for the Hawks, providing leadership and tenacity in the back for a SUNY New Paltz defense that held opponents to less than two goals per game.



 

Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Samantha Ackerman

Samantha Ackerman had her best season as a Hawk in 2018. The senior captain led the team with eight assists, which tied for third in the SUNYAC, while also adding two goals on the year for 12 points leading to a Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection. Ackerman, starting every game this season, provided leadership in the back and aided in SUNY New Paltz's set plays, taking virtually every offensive corner. Her two goals came in clutch situations, in a 2-1 regular season win against SUNY Cortland and a 3-2 victory over SUNY Geneseo in the conference semifinals.

 

Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Carly Croteau

Carly Croteau was a force to be reckoned with this season. There hasn't yet been a defender that can compete with Croteau's speed and strength on the field, resulting in match up nightmares for the opposing team. The Bayport, NY native started in 17 games, contributing nine goals — second most on the team — with five assists and 23 points, which ranked sixth in the SUNYAC, resulting in a Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection for the sophomore forward.



 

Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Kaitlyn Gunter

Junior Kaitlyn Gunter has had an impressive season. Starting in 17 games this season, the Schuylerville, NY native has contributed six goals and five assists for 17 points on the year leading to a Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection. Arguably her most dominating performance came in the Hawks' SUNYAC Championship game against rival SUNY Cortland, scoring the game-tying goal and providing the game-winning assist to lead her team to the program's fifth conference title.