New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse team announced its incoming class for the 2023 season Thursday.
The Hawks are looking to return to the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament after earning a spot in the quarterfinal round in 2022. With the addition of its 2023 recruiting class, SUNY New Paltz is seeking to improve and build on its success in its previous season and work toward a chance at the program's first ever conference championship title.
"We are so excited for these seven to join our Hawk family this fall," said Hawks coach Randy Vite who enters her second season at the helm. "They are a very skilled and talented group that will make an immediate impact as we continue to make a name for ourselves in the SUNYAC. The depth of our team and level of play is going to be taken to the next level. I can't wait to see them in action in a couple months."
Read more about each incoming Hawks recruit and why they chose SUNY New Paltz, below:
*updated as of Dec. 19, 2022
Lexi Atwater '26
Brighton High School
Rochester, NY
Midfield
Atwater led Brighton High School to the 2022 Section V, Class B quarterfinals. Running midfield for Brighton, Atwater scored 66 goals in three-year varsity career, including 40 in 2022.
The Rochester, NY native played club for Monster Elite.
Mia Baldinger '26
Massapequa High School
Massapequa, NY
Midfield
Baldinger was a member of the 2021 Nassau County Class A championship and Long Island Class A Championship finalist teams, while playing club lacrosse for Elevate.
The Massapequa, NY native will also star on the Hawks' women's soccer team this fall.
Julia Longo '26
Bellport Senior High School
Yaphank, NY
Attack
Longo was a four-year varsity player and was named All-Conference in 2021. She was a member of the High Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Math & Science Honor Society, Ambassadors Club, and Athletes Helping Others. Longo also participated in cross country and track while at Bellport Senior High School.
The Yaphank, NY native will join the Hawks attack, which was left slightly depleted with the graduation of starters Maddy Carullo and Katie Zito.
Nicole Matthews '26
Ward Melville High School
Setauket, NY
Attack
Matthews was a member of the 2022 Ward Melville High School girl's lacrosse team. The Setauket, NY native played club lacrosse for Lax on Elite and will also add depth for the Hawks attack entering 2023.
Lauren Rigo '26
East Islip High School
East Islip, NY
Attack
Rigo, an East Islip, NY native and another incoming attacker for SUNY New Paltz, was a member of the 2022 East Islip High School girl's lacrosse team and played club lacrosse for Legacy Lacrosse.
Gabriella Tommaso '26
Comsewogue High School
Port Jefferson Station, NY
Goalie
Tommaso starred as Comsewogue High School's starting goalie for three years and in 2021 was named as the Unsung Hero Award for her school. She will fight for playing time against incumbent Hailey Aber next spring for the Hawks.
The Port Jefferson Station, NY native played club for the Long Island Yellowjackets. She also participated in competitive cheerleading and is a Civil Air Patrol Cadet.
Ava Cronin '26
New Paltz High School
New Paltz, NY
Attack
Cronin, from New Paltz, NY, will boost the depth on a young attack line for the Hawks as she transferred midyear after spending the fall at Hartwick College.
Morgan Atwater '26
Brighton High School
Rochester, NY
Midfield
Atwater joins her twin sister Lexi on the Hawks' midfield line. She previously attended Division I Gardner-Web University before transferring to SUNY New Paltz spring semester. She played club for Monster Elite.
Morgan Woolley '24
Bayport-Blue Point High School
Blue Point, NY
Midfield
Woolley joins the Hawks as a dual-sport athlete, starring for SUNY New Paltz's field hockey team the last three seasons. She will provide depth along the team's midfield line this spring.
Sam Wohlmut '26
Center Moriches High School
Center Moriches, NY
Defense
Another dual-sport athlete for the Hawks, Wohlumut enters her first season for NPWLAX after spending the fall helping SUNY New Paltz women's soccer to SUNYAC Semifinal berth. The Center Moriches, NY native will add another athlete to coach Randy Vite's defensive unit.
Emily Monroe '24
Bishop Ludden High School
Syracuse, NY
Attack
Monore, who previously attended Onondaga Community College the last two years, transferred to SUNY New Paltz this fall and will join a young attack.
The Syracuse, NY native played for CNY Lacrosse.
Mollie Harris '26
Pine Bush High School
Pine Bush, NY
Goalie
Harris adds depth to the Hawks at the goalie position after playing four years at Pine Bush High School.
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