New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team announced its incoming class for the 2019 season Wednesday. The Hawks plan to bring in nine student-athletes for the upcoming season, hoping to reach the conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament after seeing its historic 2018 season come to an end against eventual conference champion The College at Brockport in the semifinals last season.

"I am very excited at the talent level of this class and the balance we have coming in," said SUNY New Paltz coach Kyle Clancy. "We have addressed each area of need from this past offseason and have brought in student-athletes that will create a high level of competition at each position. This is a class of student-athletes that have played on high level teams with lots of big-game experience that will only help our team be even more prepared for the difficult SUNYAC games and help to reach our goal of making the National Tournament. It will be exciting to see them on the field this fall and working hard to continue to help our team improve."

Scroll down to read more about each incoming Hawk.

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Andrea Bentoglio
Mercersburg Academy
Bronx, NY
Goalkeeper
South Bronx United SC
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Bentoglio was a four-year member of his high school men's soccer program where he was awarded for his leadership on and off the field before playing a year a Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. During his one season for the Blue Storm, Bentoglio helped his team to a first-place finish in the IPSL League and second in the MAPL League, ending up as a state semi-finalist. Following a successful year, Bentoglio was named a MAPL First-Team All-Star.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "Everything about New Paltz I find fascinating," said Bentoglio. "Even if I haven't been on campus yet or met anyone from New Paltz, I can just feel the positive energy from everyone and everything. I'm excited to play for the men's soccer team and show coach Clancy and my future teammates what I'm capable of at a collegiate level. Academically I'm ready for future obstacles and learning new things that I probably don't know about. GO HAWKS!!!"



Gabriel Cruz
Sachem North High School
Nesconset, NY
Forward
Lake Grove Newfield SC United 2001
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A two-year starter for Sachem North High School, Cruz was named captain his senior year and collected the team's Offensive Most Valuable Player hours. Cruz also starred on the Lake Grove United club team, helping his squad to two ENY State Cups and making nationals both years he was with the team. Lake Grove was ranked as a top-10 program in the nation while Cruz starred on the team and currently they rank No. 7 nationally. One of Cruz's most impressive performances came in the 2019 State Cup final where he scored two goals and added two assists in the win.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "I chose New Paltz because I really like the feel of the school and the academics, as well as the soccer program," Cruz said. "The way the team puts academics first while still having a serious and good team was greatly appealing to me, as well as the dedication and drive of the players to both the team and their academics. I feel that New Paltz itself is a great fit and a place where I can grow as a player, a student, and a person on the whole."


Brandon Davenport
John A. Coleman High School
Kingston, NY
Midfielder
Nirvana 360 FC
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Davenport played three seasons of varsity high school soccer, starring at Saugerties for a season after two years at John A. Coleman High School. As a sophomore and junior at Coleman, Davenport was a Section 9 Class C/D All-Star and then earned All-Section honors as a junior. During his senior campaign at Saugerties, he earned Class A All-Star and All-Section honors, while also being named captain both junior and senior year.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "I chose New Paltz because I really like the feel of the school and the academics, as well as the soccer program," Davenport said. "The way the team puts academics first, while still having a serious and good team was greatly appealing to me, as well as the dedication and drive of the players to both the team and their academics. I feel that New Paltz itself is a great fit and a place where I can grow as a player, a student, and a person on the whole."




Zackery Decker
Red Hook High School
Red Hook, NY
Goalkeeper
SUNY Albany
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Before suiting up for SUNY Albany for a season, Decker played club for Soccer Plus Academy and was a part of the NPL National Finalist team in 2015, along with a State Cup Championship in 2016. He also starred on the Red Hook High School boy's varsity soccer program.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "I chose SUNY New Paltz because it provided me with a new challenge academically and athletically," Decker said. "Head Coach Kyle Clancy believed in my abilities on and off the field, inspiring me to take on this next chapter in my life."










Ryan Hilliard
St. Joseph Regional High School
Congers, NY
Midfielder
Cedar Stars Academy Bergen West 2000 Green
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Hilliard starred on the St. Joseph's Regional High School varsity program for three years, receiving All-League and All-County accolades during his senior seasons. During his last year, Hilliard led the Big North Conference with 10 assists and was also nominated as one of the top dual-threat offenses in the state, as well as a top player in the New Jersey state tournament. Hilliard also played club soccer for Cedar Stars Academy Bergen West 2000 Green, helping his team qualify for regionals while playing up in the U19 Division.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "I chose SUNY New Paltz because of the standards held academically and athletically," Hilliard said. "I think I will fit in perfectly with both the school and the style of soccer the team plays with. I chose a program that I know will have huge success in the future."






Michael Horner
Minisink Valley High School
Slate Hill, NY
Defense
Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley 00's
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A four-year varsity member of the Minisink Valley High School team, Horner earned Varsity 845 Second-Team All-Star honors, was a member of the Secion IX Coaches Association Class All-Section Team and the team's Most Valuable Player. He also won the Citizen Athlete Award, one of the highest honors for Minisink Valley Athletics. Horner starred on the Cedar Stars Academy Hudson Valley for three years before playing for Soccer Plus Academy for three years.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "New Paltz is a good fit for me because the faculty, coaches and students I met have all been welcoming and assuring about the potential at NP," Horner said. "Meeting Dean Backhaus, coach Clancy and current students helped make my decision. When I went for an overnight visit with the soccer team, I felt like it was the right place. NP has an impressive business school with many opportunities to participate in clubs and organizations. Down the road, I see myself being academically successful and winning the SUNYAC with the soccer team."



Tommy Jelstrom
Shaker High School
Loundonville, NY
Defense
SUNY Binghamton
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Jelstrom saw success on the pitch at a young age, as he made the ID2 National Camp as just an eighth grader before being named captain of PDA's (NJ) U14 team as a freshman. He played club soccer for Black Watch Premier in Albany, NY and also starred on the Shaker varsity boy's soccer program. He was named team captain for the Raiders junior and senior year, and was a First-Team All-Section selection as a junior. Jelstrom then went on to suit up for SUNY Binghamton, playing in 10 games for the Bearcats and starting three as a freshman.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "New Paltz has an outstanding business program and the 4+1 program they offer in order for me to obtain my MBA works greatly with soccer," Jelstrom said. "I also previously knew coach Clancy and thought it would be great to play for him. I wanted to join a program that is competitive and looking to win a championship and I found that in New Paltz."




Ken Roby
Harriton High School
Narberth, NY
Midfield
Continental FC USSDA
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With his club team Continental FC USSDA, Roby helped the team to the USSDA playoffs during his U15 season. Although he played just a season for Harriton High School's varsity team, Roby starred on this club program every season.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "I chose New Paltz because during both my unofficial and official visit, I really liked the environment, the people and the overall feel of the University," Roby said.









Philip Varner Jr.
Eastern Regional High School
Berlin, NJ
Midfield
SJEB Rush
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Varner was a three-year member of the Eastern Regional High School varsity boy's soccer team and was a two-year captain. While starring for the Vikings, Varner was named Second-Team All-Conference during his sophomore season and First-Team All-Conference and Team MVP during both his junior and senior campaigns. As a senior, Varner was named a Second-Team All-South Jersey All-Star and made Third-Team All-State. He starred on the SJEB Rush club team, which won the New Jersey State Cup and the 2018 US Club National Championship.
 
Why SUNY New Paltz: "One thing I really liked a New Paltz was the Business Program and how prestigious it is," Varner said. "I also really liked the travel abroad program as that is something I've always wanted to do as a college student."