New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz men's lacrosse team announced its incoming recruiting class for the 2022 season Thursday. The seven incoming Hawks will provide a boost to a program that enters its third season of its inception.

"The incoming class is a very dynamic and passionate group of young men. I believe they are going to push the returners to play even harder and compete for a spot," said SUNY New Paltz coach Dwayne Stewart.

The Hawks got their first taste of SUNYAC action this past spring in a modified conference schedule and although they showed improvement from their first year, they will head into year three searching for the program's first SUNYAC victory. The addition of their 2022 incoming class, which boasts two defensemen in Pine Bush High School's Josiah Cruz and Cornwall High's Lars Fosstveit, Onondaga Community College attack transfer Deacon Hill and midfielders James Flanagan (Clarkstown North HS), Sebastian Rhodes (Smithtown West HS), Anthony Senecal (Patchogue-Medford HS) and FOGO/midfielder Ethan Scully (Bayshore HS), will add a wealth of talent to boost a young nucleolus. 
 
"Every single year as we develop the program and see success, or just our brand and our name gets out there, the recruiting classes are going to get better because we're a great academic school and we're close to Long Island," Stewart added. "When I was recruiting this class and was closing in on some of these athletes, they stood out to me like a sore thumb because of the level of talent I was able to put together. They are very talented group of young players, so I'm very excited and I'm sure they're very excited to test these returners and see what we have."

Read more about each incoming Hawk below:
 

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Josiah Cruz '25 (defense)
Pine Bush High School
Montgomery, NY

Cruz was a team captain and a three-year varsity starter at Pine Bush High School, while also a playing club for Swarm Lacrosse Club.

The 6-foot Cruz played as a long-stick midfielder and defender for the Bushmen. He collected numerous accolades throughout his time at Pine Bush, including NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete honors and was the recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award of Excellence and Science.

Additionally, he was a member of the Aviation Academy, Air Force Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, and Cadet Chief Master Sargent. He is due for a promotion to Cadet Officer 2^nd Lieutenant. He volunteers with his family at "Take Them A Meal."
 





James Flanagan '25 (midfield)
Clarkstown North High School
New City, NY

The 6-foot midfielder, in addition to being part of the lacrosse team at Clarkstown North, was also a member of the New York Reign Lacrosse Club and the Swarm Lacrosse Club.
 













Lars Fosstveit '25 (defense)
Cornwall Central High School
Mountainville, NY

The 6-foot, 3-inch defenseman starred for Cornwall Central High varsity boy's lacrosse team and was a member of the New York Reign Lacrosse Club. He helped his club lacrosse team to a championship during the 2019-20 season.

The Mountainville, NY native was named team captain for both Cornwall Central's varsity boy's lacrosse and football team's in 2021 and played in 30 games during his career for the varsity lacrosse program. During his senior season in 2021, the team went 14-3, ranking No. 1 in Section IX Division III, third in Section IX and 40th in New York State.

As a two-sport athlete for the Bushmen, Fosstveit helped his team to a New York State football championship in 2019 and was later named as a 2021 varsity football All-Section 9 Class A All-Star. He earned the 2021 Cornwall Central High School Coaches Award as a senior in 2021 and was named as his varsity football team's Most Improved Player.


Deacon Hill '23 (attack)
Jordan-Elbridge High School
Skaneateles, NY

Hill comes in after playing two seasons at Onondaga Community College. The 5-foot, 11-inch attacker previously attended Jordan-Elbridge High School where he was named First-Team All-Area and was an Auburn Citizen All-Star in 2018.

He was named captain of the Eagles' basketball, soccer and lacrosse programs. While at OCC, he earned a spot on the Provost's List. He previously played club for Lionheart Lacrosse.
 









Sebastian Rhodes '25 (midfield)
Smithtown West HS
Smithtown, NY

Rhodes joins the Hawks as a 6-foot-1, 185-pound midfielder from Smithtown West High School. Along with lacrosse, Rhodes starred on the boy's volleyball team and helped the program to a 2021 Men's Volleyball Suffolk County title.

The Smithtown, NY native also earned National and Spanish Honor Society honors and will enter SUNY New Paltz as an Adolescence Social Studies Education major. 










Ethan Scully '25 (FOGO/midfield)
Bay Shore High School
Bay Shore, NY

Despite his slight frame at 5-foot, 3-inches, Scully established himself as one of the best face-off specialists in the area while at Bay Shore High School. He was named the Suffolk County Division 1 Rookie of the Year in 2019, along with being named as the Most Valuable Player of the Bob Hoppy High School Lacrosse Classic.

He leaves the Marauders program as the leading face-off winner in Bay Shore history to go along with a season where he collected 77 ground balls. He currently holds three out of four face-off records at his alma mater.

Scully will join his brother, Ryan, on the Hawks men's lacrosse team this upcoming season.
 




Anthony Senecal '25 (midfield)
Patchogue-Medford High School
Patchogue, NY

A 5-foot, 7-inch short-stick midfielder, Senecal was a three-year varsity starter at Patchogue-Medford High School and was named team MVP, while garnering All-League and All-County honors as a senior in 2021.

Additionally, he was the recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award and earned a spot on the Honor-Roll and High Honor-Roll. He also played football for the Raiders and in 2019, scored 25 goals for his club lacrosse team, the Long Island Ambush.
 

 
 






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