With the preseason fully underway and its season-opener looming, The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team is primed to build off a solid 2017 season where it finished a modest, 5-9 overall. Although the Hawks contend in a tough conference, touting school's annually ranked in the nation's top-25 polls, they are confident about making a run for a spot in the postseason for the first time since in program history.

"Our conference is always a tough one," said SUNY New Paltz junior midfielder Rachael Purtell. "I think last year we definitely underachieved a little bit in the SUNYAC. I think we were capable of more and I think we're still capable of more. Last year we took some positive steps forward that I think will lead us to meeting more of our goals this year."

The Hawks go into 2018 in their second year under the tutelage of head coach Keith Detelj, who in his first year at the helm helped the team achieve the most wins in a single season since the team won seven games in 2012. And, despite tallying only one victory in the SUNYAC last season, the Hawks were in tight contests against Oswego and Buffalo State. SUNY New Paltz believe it can contend for a playoff spot among its conference rivals, as the Hawks bring back a solid core from last season's team, including six starters, which will help bridge the gap as the season gets underway March 3.

"I think them being around me and knowing he type of style play that we want to play, also the environment we want to keep on our team and the type of character we want to have," Detelj said. "The longer they are around that the more they are going to succeed with that. The biggest thing is buying into a culture that pushes them and challenges them and also unifies them."

The biggest strength going into the season for SUNY New Paltz is its versatility along its roster. The Hawks tout a small roster size of just 20 players, but Detelj expects all 20 to contribute in some way in order to be successful.

"I'm expecting everyone to step up and I think that's why they are excited is that they all can do that in some sort of way," Detelj said. "I think with the type of players we have right now, I don't think it would make a difference whether we were a group of 30 or 14. They do a pretty good job of pushing each other and everyone is keeping a standard that is necessary to be successful."

Last year, SUNY New Paltz averaged about eight goals per game, but played well defensively and allowed seven goals or less six times. The Hawks bring back all of their defensive unit from last season and add DI transfer from UMass Lowell Nicole Sheintul in goal.

"Our defense did very, very well last year," Detelj said. "So we are looking to make sure that defending core who were freshmen last year and a couple sophomores, are now stepping up into more of an experienced role. So we are looking to continue that unified defensive success."

On offense, the Hawks graduated their top two goal scorers, but return senior midfielder Caitlyn Morris, who started all 14 games last season. She ranked second on the team in points, totaling 14 goals and eight assists, while midfielder Kayla Messena, who is back for her senior season, wasn't far behind, totaling 19 points after earning 13 starts in 2017.

"We're a team that is pretty athletic, so we are really looking to continue to high pressure in our defensive view and keep our tempo as high as we can on offense to move the defenders around and get the options we want," Detelj said. "I think all around we are just going to be a hard working team that's never going to give up. We're going to hold our own against everyone we face and not back down."

First up for the Hawks is Elmira College on the road Saturday, which they defeated on the North Turf field last year, 13-7. SUNY New Paltz is heading in hoping to earn another win over the Soaring Eagles and start off the season on a high note.

"I feel really confident going into Saturday," Hawks junior midfielder Ashley Seiter. "Hopefully everything we've been working on shows in the game and we keep up the level that we have set for ourselves."

Although it has only been a few weeks of preseason, the team has already since improvements from the fall and even last season and they are excited to get the season underway.

"We have definitely improved from last year," said junior attacker Taylor Russell. "Ever since my freshman year I have since improvements from the fall to every spring. One of the things we've been doing in practices is filming. We just go down in the conference room and break down the film and look at what we're doing. It is good to be able to see the mistakes we are making so we can fix them the next day at practice."

"I think they are definitely very excited for us to embark on this journey this year," added Detelj. "I think it's something where we are going to have some smooth roads, some steep grated roads and some roads not traveled, but if we are consistent in our character and persistent in our efforts to push each other every day I think that that is the excitement they are having and it's going to pay off hopefully."

SUNY New Paltz is set to face Elmira College at 6 p.m. Saturday. However, with the impending weather is probable to change. Be sure to follow @nphawks on Twitter and @newpaltzhawks on Instagram and Facebook for updates, highlights, videos, photos and more.