A year removed from its SUNYAC finals appearance, the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey team has a brand new look, bringing in 16 newcomers combined with its nine returning members.
 
Although the Hawks lost the program's point-leader in Justine O'Reilly — who also paced all of the SUNYAC in goals and points last season — and the program's third all-time leader in saves in Megan Gangewere, along with the program's third all-time leader in assists in Hayley Kim, coach Shanna Szablinski returns seven starters, including Second-Team All-SUNYAC selection Maggie Cottrell (senior, back), along with 2016 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Sophia Urrutia, coupled with a talented group of transfers and first-year players.
 
"I think it is about bringing the newer players along and just making sure we are all teaching the same thing and doing the things we can control from the start. If we come in with a training mentality of we're working hard, we're getting better each day, and we're actually applying that and adjusting when we make errors throughout our training, than we are getting better with our progression," said SUNY New Paltz coach Shanna Szablinksi, who enters her 10th season with the team. "I think this group is very receptive to feedback.They are quick at making adjustments and I think the upperclassmen are doing a really great job of mentoring them and teaching them how to play through mistakes and how to adjust and correct errors on the field. That is something with a young team can be critical for your success throughout time. We have to work quickly and work together to do so."
 
With the plethora of young first-year athletes featured in the starting lineup the Hawks started slow in their first exhibition game Aug. 24 against Union College, giving up two early goals. But after adjustments were made, the Hawks showed their potential and trounced the Dutchmen, 7-2, showing a glimpse of the potential they have heading into the year.
 
"I was a little intimidated that we were going to be out-numbered with so many younger people, but overall I have been super impressed with everyone's effort, energy and overall bringing the heat to practice," said senior back Samantha Ackerman. "I feel challenged every day by my underclassmen and we're super excited, because we're definitely ready to defend the title and have another SUNYAC championship under our belt this year."
 
The Hawks, who are two years removed from their fourth-straight conference championship, goes into the season tied for second with SUNY Geneseo in the SUNYAC coach's poll, behind defending champions SUNY Cortland, which is ranked No. 16 in the country by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
 
"Unfortunately the last two years we left off on a note that we weren't happy with and that is what is great about this program we're never complacent, so I am super excited," Ackerman added. "I think we can take the past two years as a really huge learning experience and apply everything we learned, really hustle out there and get that SUNYAC championship title again."
 
SUNY New Paltz has a tough non-conference schedule, playing against four teams who enter the season ranked top-25 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division III preseason coach's poll, including No. 10 Montclair State University (Sept. 6), No. 12 University of Rochester (Sept. 23), No. 14 Kean University (Oct. 23) and No. 22 Skidmore College (Sept. 19).
 
The Hawks opens up its tough schedule at home in a four-team tournament against Utica College and St. Lawrence University Sept. 1 and Sept. 2. SUNY New Paltz defeated the Saints, 4-2, in their season-opener last year, while falling to the Pioneers, 3-2, in overtime in 2017.
 
"I am so excited," Ackerman said. "It will be my first time while I've been in this program hosting this tournament and there is no better way to start off opening weekend with two home games, so I am ready to defend our home field."
 
SUNY New Paltz is set to face Utica College and St. Lawrence University at 11 a.m. Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, respectively, at the North Turf Field.

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