The State University of New York at New Paltz went into 2022 coming off a breakout season where it collected its best overall record in nearly two decades and the best ever SUNYAC finish. Even with the graduation of its All-SUNYAC goalkeeper, the Hawks returned three other All-SUNYAC selections along with the nucleus of last season's winning combination. Graduate student and co-captain Spencer Ryczek put it succinctly, "We're trying to win the SUNYAC this year. Anything short of that is a failure for us."
 
The Hawks had a strong 9-5-3 campaign and garnering a No. 6 regional ranking along the way, but after earning the third seed in the conference tournament following a 5-2-2 mark in the SUNYAC their pursuit of a SUNYAC title came up short in the quarterfinal round.
 
The season began away at Union College, outplaying the Dutchmen and showing the stout defense that highlighted a season ago, resulting in a 0-0 tie. Away next at the Drew University Tournament, the Hawks fell to host drew 2-1, with Gacriel Cruz meeting the Hawks only marker. A day later, SUNY New Paltz cracked the win column with a 2-0 victory over FDU-Florham with Gabriel Cruz and Philip Varner providing the firepower offensively.

Away once more, the Hawks faced the United States Merchant Marine Academy with Papis Konate getting the game-winner in a 1-0 victory. The final road trip took the Hawks to New York City where they defeated the regionally ranked NYU Violets 2-1 with Tim Kane's brace being the difference in a statement victory.
 
SUNY New Paltz then hosted rival Vassar College in its season opener. The Brewers struck quickly, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime. Only Joseph DiPreta's 77th minute penalty kick broke up Vassar's shutout bid. Skidmore College was next up for the Hawks at home and Luca Giammarino's first career goal in the77th minute gave the Hawks a 1-1 tie.
 
The road seemed a welcome spot for the Hawks as they won their next two matches, both important SUNYAC contests. At Plattsburgh, Varner's first half stood up for a 1-0 win. At Fredonia three days later, SUNY New Paltz dropped the Blue Devils 3-2 with DiPreta's second goal of the season just 43 seconds after Fredonia had tied the game at 2-all, sealing the Hawk win.
 
The following Wednesday the Hawks faced Oneonta at home and the Red Dragons proved why they were nationally ranked, scoring three first half goals. Kane's goal in an evenly played second half made the final score 3-1. Buffalo State visited the Hawks that Saturday and Kane gave his team what seemed to be a solid 1-0 victory. Yet with just 48 seconds left to play, the Bengals broke through with the equalizer to come away with the 1-1 tie.
 
Hitting the road again, this time at Geneseo, the Hawks and the Knights battled down to the wire. Sean O'Neill's first goal of the season with 16 minutes left to play gave SUNY New Paltz the tough 1-0 road win. Four days later, at Cortland, the Hawks gave the other nationally ranked Red Dragons a run, taking a 1-0 lead into the half on Ryan Hilliard's first goal of the year, but Cortland scored two second half goals to clinch a 2-1 victory.
 
Concluding their 2022 home season in fine fashion, the Hawks edged the Golden Eagles of Brockport, winning Senior Day on Varner's first half goal. SUNY New Paltz produced its best offensive output in their final home contest against Potsdam, winning 4-1 on goals by DiPreta, Varner and a brace by Cruz.
 
The regular season concluded on the road at Oswego with the Hawks defeating the Lakers 3-1 on a brace of goals by Kane and a goal by DiPreta. SUNY New Paltz's defense limited the Lakers to just two shots in the second half and for its efforts earned the third seed and home advantage in the opening round of the SUNYAC Tournament.
 
The Hawks faced sixth seeded SUNY Plattsburgh, hosting a first-round conference tournament game for the third time for four years. They had a rough start to the match going down 3-0 but showed much tenacity in the second half and came back strong. DiPreta's brace in the final 45 minutes helped bring SUNY New Paltz within one but the Cardinals held on for the 3-2 win.
 
Despite falling short of a SUNYAC Championship, the Hawks still claimed their fourth straight non-losing season in coach Kyle Clancy's six-year tenure. Their second consecutive appearance in the SUNYAC tournament has never been accomplished before and their final seventh place rank in the United Soccer Coaches Region III poll established the program as one of the best of the Northeast.
 
SUNY New Paltz once again showed its defensive prowess on the pitch, posting six shutouts and allowing just 19 goals for a 1.12 goals-against-average on just nine shots per game. In the SUNYAC, the Hawks were tied for second in goals scored (16), fourth in goals against average and tied fourth in conference shutouts (4).
 
Kane, DiPreta and Varner were in the top 15 of conference goal scorers. In his first year of collegiate competition, goalie Christian Micheli proved why he was one of Long Island's best scholastic keepers. Micheli played all 1,530 minutes of all 17 games. His six shutouts landed him third in the single season record book and tied for seventh in the career record book. His 1.12 goals-against-average is seventh in the single season record book. Within SUNYAC, Micheli was fifth overall with a 1.11 goals-against-average and in the top three in saves per game, wins, and shutouts.