The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team is anxiously awaiting the start of its 2018 campaign. The Hawks are coming off a strong spring season and a successful trip abroad to England, and are ready to carry over their success into the fall and bounce back from a disappointing 2017.
 
"Obviously last year was a little disappointing, just not being able to win for the seniors that we were so close with was definitely tough, but going to London and having a great spring season definitely helped a lot," said SUNY New Paltz junior defender James Hennessy. "The freshmen coming in have done a great job, really bonding with the team we have and I am really excited for the year."
 
The Hawks return eight starters from a season ago, including their starting goalie John Guzzo (48 saves, 1.44 goals against average in 2017) and top two point-leaders Kevin Doorley (four goals, five assists) and Ryan Martinez (three goals, five assists) who are both entering their second seasons.
 
"We have a very deep squad," Hennessy said. "A lot of guys have been going down with injuries unfortunately, which is definitely tough but the freshmen, everyone that's been getting on the field, has really stepped up, so I am very excited."
 
Along with Guzzo, the Hawks defense will feature returning center back Sebastian Gordon-Somers-Archer with junior Luke Dole converted from forward to defensive back. The Hawks hope to get back to its stout defensive play from two years ago, which led the team to a No. 8 rank in the region.
 
"Defensively we definitely changed it up," Gordon-Somers-Archer said. "I'm looking forward to having a strong year. We have a couple new guys stepping up in the back, but we're looking very strong coming in. The system isn't much different than last year, but the heart is still here, the desire is still here and I'm very excited to see what we have."
 
Seemingly, SUNY New Paltz carried over their strong play into the fall as it had a solid outing against Suffolk Community College at home Aug. 25, creating multiple chances in front of net and limiting the Sharks to limited looks on goal.
 
"It was a good game. It was very open, back and forth, but we were able to burry a lot of the chances that we've had and not giving up too many goals," Gordon-Somers-Archer said. "They didn't have many shots. The shots they had were lucky and found a way in, but other than that we were very attacking and had most of the possession and we looked very strong defensively compact. That's something I am looking very forward to this season."  
 
The Hawks begin their season with three-straight games on the road, as they take on Skidmore College, Union College and Albertus Magnus, Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 3, respectively, before hosting New York University and Lehman College in a three-team tournament on the South Turf Field Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.
 
SUNY New Paltz opens up conference play at home against Fredonia State Sept. 21. The two toughest opponents the Hawks will see this season is in their own conference in SUNY Cortland and defending SUNYAC champions, SUNY Oneonta.
 
The Hawks host SUNY Cortland (2016 SUNYAC champions) Sept. 29 on the South Turf Field at 1 p.m. and then conclude their regular season against Catskill Cup rival SUNY Oneonta Oct. 20 at 1 p.m., which also serves as the program's annual Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. game. SUNY Cortland and SUNY Oneonta head into the 2018 ranked No. 23 and No. 18, respectively, in the NCAA DIII national poll.

To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.