The State University of New York at Paltz men's lacrosse program begins its first full season since the start of the program in 2019. After two partially played seasons with a total of 11 games and a combined record of 2-9, the Hawks open up their first full schedule Wednesday against SUNY Maritime. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SUNY New Paltz's inaugural season resulted in a 2-2 record without playing any conference games. In 2021 the Hawks played one non conference and six conference games only facing Utica, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Potsdam, and SUNY Oneonta. 

This season the Hawks are set to play a schedule of 15 games and a full SUNYAC schedule with playoffs looming at the end of the season. Their season opener takes place Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the Privateers home turf. Maritime ended its 2021 season 8-1 and won the Skyline Conference Championship versus Farmingdale State, 13-12 before losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament against St. John Fisher College. 

"We have a thing that we're saying now that they have to be obsessed with the game and everything that goes into it, and they've been buying in," said SUNY New Paltz coach Dwayne Stewart who enters his third season at the helm.  "Getting extra lifts in on their own, watching film with me, watching film as a team, with their housemates, with their roommates. They're falling in love with it, and that's half the battle. So, I believe that they're as prepared as they can be as a third year program, but really a second year program."

SUNY New Paltz returns all but two from their 2021 starting lineup, which includes junior captains Thomas Armetta, Aidan Gregory and Zach Schmidt and senior captain Joseph Bradbury. After two short seasons the new program has had time to build some leadership, culture and experience on the field. The Hawks also bring back their top face off guy in Matthew Brignati after his 2021 season unfortunately ended early due to injury. New addition to the team is freshman Ethan Scully who is another strong faceoff candidate for the season. 

"The freshmen are absolutely coming in ready to go," said SUNY New Paltz junior midfielder Aiden Jones. "And the returning guys have been living in the weight room and really getting after it, playing ball and putting in the work." 

The Hawks look to establish themselves this coming season with their first full SUNYAC schedule and first full season schedule in program history. 

"This year is all about setting the coaches straight. This year is all about working our system and understanding the game," Stewart said. "We've had consistent moments. We had inconsistent moments of what the brand of lacrosse that we're trying to play [is] and because of this roller coaster of a ride from first year to this year." 

After the 2021 season coaching himself, along with head swim coach Mathew Distler stepping in to assistant, SUNY New Paltz returns with a full coaching staff for 2022. Assistants include Michael Ciavolino and two returning coaches from past seasons Distler and Jeff Struzzieri. With a full coaching staff, full roster, full schedule and full conference schedule, New Paltz men's lacrosse is ready to show up this season.

"​​I'm nothing but excited and extremely proud of my guys for all the adversity that they've been through and I can't wait until we play on Wednesday," Stewart said. "It doesn't matter who would be in front of us. I'm just happy and I can't wait to play."

SUNY New Paltz opens up its 2022 season Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Maritime. To follow along with live stats and live stream, click here.

Season Preview Featuring Aiden Jones & Aidan Gregory


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