Syracuse, NY — The Hawks dominance continues.

After a record-setting campaign as regular and postseason SUNYAC Champions, the State University of New York New Paltz rightfully cleaned up All-SUNYAC awards with a program record nine total selections, including Offensive, Defensive and Coaching Staff of the Year honors announced by the conference office Thursday.

"This group is one of a kind," said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. "Words cannot describe the nine players that were selected. This group of 27 student-athletes have all reached the best versions of themselves at some point throughout this campaign. A switch in their minds flipped. It may have been in the spring season during our time in Costa Rica, it might have been during preseason or early on in our fall, but they fully bought in, and they wanted to be led."

The record-setting campaign led to a myriad of postseason accolades, as Rachel Eisert received her second-straight SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year nod and was joined by Maddie Franklin who earned SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, becoming the first duo in program history to sweep both major awards, while Eckberg and assistants Samantha Trimblett and Jess Funke were named Coaching Staff of the Year. Joining them on the All-SUNYAC team was first-team selections Gaby Treble, Alexis DeLeo, Emma Voege and Hannah Wellinger, while Laney Schmitz earned second-team honors and juniors Brooke Kelleher and Mia Baldinger landed on the third team.

"I remember saying to the team throughout this campaign at training that I didn't want this to end," Eckberg continued. "It wasn't because of what any coach would want to see in any team they work with — you see their potential come to life and that's when magic can happen."

Click here to view the complete All-SUNYAC Women's Soccer Team List.

Read more on each selection below:

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SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year/First Team All-SUNYAC

Rachel Eisert (senior, forward)
Bellmore, NY/Wellington C. Mepham HS

Eisert earns her second consecutive SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year, the first Hawk to achieve the feat and the second in conference history, joining Buffalo State's Melissa Smith as the only two-time SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year selection.

Meanwhile, the All-SUNYAC First-Team nod marks her fourth pick on the all-conference squad, becoming just the second in program history to earn All-SUNYAC honors during her four-year career, joining Jennifer Anslemi (2005-2008) in this achievement. Coupled with holding virtually every single and career offensive record for the Hawks, the Bellmore, NY native solidified her place as the best ever to suit up for the program.
"Rachel gives a life to every single player on our team," Eckberg said. "Rachel is the best player to ever come through our program. It's not just because she's broken every single record but the way she has done it throughout her career. Every year she's focused on getting better at some element in her craft. Finishing set pieces, being savvier tactically at incorporating others in transition. Knowing when and how to pass the torch when needed."

Eisert started all 17 regular season games, playing 1,144 minutes and led SUNY New Paltz with 14 regular season goals, breaking her own single-season goals record set in 2023. She added three assists and with another goal scored in the SUNYAC Semifinal win over Fredonia brought her point total to 34 well surpassing the single season mark she had set last season, while her 41 career goals are tops in Hawks history.

"I vividly remember every year during the season and the offseason, Rachel would insist on wanting more for herself and her team," Eckberg said. "Her grit, her distinct competitive nature, and willingness to do whatever it takes has stapled her trademark at New Paltz women's soccer forever."

During the regular season, Eisert notched a .623 shots-on-goals percentage and scored five game-winners, which came against Stockton University, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Oswego. She didn't miss a start, including all nine SUNYAC games, with 531 minutes on the field, scoring 13 goals on a .643 shots-on-goal percentage and four game winners in regular season SUNYAC play. Eisert was additionally named SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 15 and Oct. 23 and earned her second SUNYAC All-Tournament team pick to go along with SUNYAC Tournament MVP honors after leading SUNY New Paltz to a SUNYAC Championship title following a 2-0 win over reigning champions, SUNY Cortland.
 
"I think many players might look at Rachel as a superhuman, but when you spend a day or a session with her you realize how genuine, sincere and humble she is," Eckberg said. "How many people do you really meet in your life that are so insanely good at their sport and then you realize that they are an even better person. The confidence she has in herself has translated and elevated the confidence of our program to insurmountable levels."


SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year/First-Team All-SUNYAC
 
Maddie Franklin (senior/goalkeeper)
Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa HS

Franklin, like Eisert solidified her spot in the Hawks history books becoming the team's first ever SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year selection.

Additionally landing on the All-SUNYAC First Team, she joins SUNY New Paltz alumna Stephanie Vega (2011 & 2012) as the only two-time All-SUNYAC goalie selection.

"It's a testament to Rachel and Maddie and our program but also our conference as a whole recognizing that they were distinctly different than other programs and student athletes," Eckberg said. "They put themselves in this position and they deserve this level of recognition. It's an absolute honor and privilege"

Franklin cemented herself as one of the best goalkeepers to ever suit up for the orange and blue, as she anchored SUNY New Paltz to its best season to date. Since transferring in at the very start of the 2022 campaign, the program raised to a higher level, elevating the goalkeeping position as a whole and setting an example for underclassmen Madelyn Jachimiak and Jess Centeri.

"Honestly it's our goalkeeping core this year," Eckberg said. "Must give a shout out to Jess and MJ. All three of them have done an unbelievable job of elevating each and everyone's craft. You don't see it in the box scores. Their training regimen has been world class. They have made better saves in training than games. Just when you think one of our forwards is going to score a legit goal off of a service, in the run of play, or on a set piece, Maddie, Jess or MJ come to save the day."

Franklin saw 1,291 minutes of action through regular season play, starting 16 regular season games. She allowed seven goals for a 0.47 goals-against-average, along with 47 saves for a .870 saves percentage, while recording nine shutouts along with contributing to three others.
 
Franklin proved clutch throughout the year, making pivotal saves to help the program earn regional recognition through the regular season. She stopped two penalties through regulation time, first in a 2-0 road win over Mount Saint Vincent early in the season and another Oct. 5 in a 2-0 victory over Fredonia. She added two more shutouts in postseason play, bringing her total to 11 which sits second-most in single-season program history, while her 19 career shutouts moved her into third place in the SUNY New Paltz record books in the category.

"I think every single player on our team would consider Maddie to be their most trusted ally on and off the field," Eckberg said. "She truly cultivates belief in others because you know she cares. She is by far the most humble student athlete I've ever had the privilege of working with."

In 2024 SUNYAC play, Franklin started 16 games with 1,329.8 minutes between the posts. She allowed one goal for a 0.14 goals-against-average with 11 saves for a .917 save percentage. She was undefeated in SUNYAC completion at 7-0-1 with five shutouts, contributing to two others. Franklin was the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 16 and was named as a SUNYAC All-Tournament team pick.

"Maddie has stepped up every time all year without anyone in our program saying anything to her. She has been pivotal when needed," Eckberg said. "Saving two penalty kicks, posting 11 shutouts, she has consistently put herself in the position she needs to when make game changing saves."
 

First Team All-SUNYAC:

Gaby Treble (senior, forward)
Oyster Bay, NY/Oyster Bay HS

Coming off a season-best year in 2023, Treble got even better in her final stint with the Hawks entering 2024. She put up career-best numbers, totaling 14 goals on the year including 13 during the regular season to earn her way to her second-straight All-SUNYAC First Team nod.

"Gaby has been special this year," Eckberg said. "She has a relentless, riveting, unforgiving attacking mentality. Her failure rate is through the roof but on top of that is her willingness to succeed. She doesn't get hung up and caught on not finishing, missed touches, bad officiating. She has been hungry all year. She just wants to score goals which is the best thing you want in your forwards. Her self-belief is sky high; she has proven her ability to be lethal on either flank.  She committed herself this summer to earning her defensive stripes."

Playing 982 minutes and starting all 17 regular season games, Treble finished second on the team in goals and points, only behind Eisert's record-setting totals, while her career total of 31 goals now lands her second on the all-time goals scored list. She had a .525 shots-on-goals percentage and totaled four game winners in 2024, coming against Russell Sage, SUNY Canton, Buffalo State and Oneonta.                                                                                                                                                          
Starting all nine SUNYAC games, she was on the field for 485 minutes, scoring nine goals on .487 shooting, with three game winners.

What doesn't show up on the stat sheet was the impact Treble made as a leader on and off the field, forcing the best out of her teammates and setting a high bar for the program in pursuit of a championship title.
"She has such a great perspective. Focuses on the big picture and wants to celebrate the successes of others in our program," said Eckberg's of Treble's ability as a leader. "Her humility combined with her commitment has truly made the difference individually and collectively. Plain and simple, Gaby empowers others to be better every day with her work rate, high performing feedback and willingness for herself to be led and coached."
 


Alexis DeLeo (senior, midfield)
Harriman, NY/Monroe-Woodbury HS

DeLeo earned her third consecutive All-SUNYAC selection after helping lead the Hawks to its best season to date which was capped with a coveted SUNYAC title. She became just the third Hawk to score three all-conference picks and the first since former Katie Buquicchio reached the feat last season (2021, 2022, 2023).

A stalworth the moment she stepped foot in the program, DeLeo brought consistency and veteran leadership in the midfield and helped will her teammates to a championship season in 2024.

"Lexi believed in winning the SUNYAC title the first day she got here as a freshman and told our Athletic Director at practice," Eckberg said. "She dedicated herself to raising her level throughout her entire career. She does such a great job of finding weak side pockets to get into, breaks pressure on the dribble and combining, and recognizes when it's not on the go forward."

DeLeo started all 17 regular season games, garnering 1,243 minutes. She scored four goals on .607 shooting, with one assist. She also started all nine SUNYAC contests, tallying 610 minutes and adding two goals and an assist. And like Treble, provided veteran leadership that helped boost the program to new heights this season.

"Leadership wise, she is a self-appointed captain," Eckberg said. "Once you've been in our program long enough and you make a mistake you know Lexi is going to be the first person in your ear calling you out. Her willingness to share critical feedback made her peers and our program better every day. The ultimate capstone with her leadership is twofold: one,  her ability to cultivate genuine relationships with her peers and two, she wouldn't call you out unless she was willing to do the same.

"Plain and simple, Lexi empowers others to be better every day with her work rate, high performing feedback and willingness for herself to be led and coached."
 
 
 
Emma Voege (senior, defense)
East Northport, NY/Elwood-John H. Glenn HS

Voege came back from an injury plagued junior year to cement a Hawks backline that allowed just 122 shots against all season, while conceding just more than six shots per game.

A true midfielder, Voege was slotted in at the starting center back position seamlessly and enjoyed her first All-SUNYAC selection of her career.

"Emma's poise on the ball, and confidence to brake lines on the dribble, play balls over top, link up with our forwards feet, we're all significant elements why she fit in so well in the back," Eckberg said.

One of the keys to a stingy Hawks defense which allowed only seven goals with a .41 goals-against-average over 17 games, Voege started all 17 regular season games, with 1,411 minutes on the pitch. She joined in the offense with four assists thanks to her precision on set pieces and saw 725 minutes in SUNYAC play, starting all nine games and adding three assists.

"Emma has certainly elevated her role," Eckberg said. "She had a very unfortunate junior year with a long-standing concussion. I have to commend her, every spring season throughout her entire career, she always impressed the coaching staff. Seeing her ability to compete in our nontraditional spring game, she was a different player and a different level that exceeded our expectations every year."
 


Hannah Wellinger (junior, defense)
Smithtown, NY/Smithtown East HS

Developing into one of, if not the best defender in the conference, Wellinger rightfully earned her first All-SUNYAC nod of her career with a first-team selection.

"Hannah is an unbelievable defender," Eckberg said. "Patient, strong, relentless in her individual battles. She times her tackles extremely well. Managing the backline, she can insert herself anywhere on the outside or central."

The junior captain was the anchor to the Hawks' backline, having the ability to play anywhere in the back four. A true center back, she was moved outside due to an early season-ending injury to starting left back Maggie Cameron. Wellinger filled in seamlessly and showed consistent play on that side with the timing and speed to matchup with any outside midfielder or forward.

"Hannah is very technically sound and plays a critical role in supporting our attack when getting forward. She reads pockets well, has the confidence to take players on, recognizes when and how to get critical services into the box," Eckberg said. "Defensively she is lethal, just stone cold, rock solid in the back. She is one of the cornerstones that makes our attack fly, she makes our forwards better every day because of her commitment defensively."

Wellinger started all 17 regular season games, playing 1,291 minutes, keeping opponents at bay all season long. She added one assist to her season's total while in regular season SUNYAC play started all nine games with 621 minutes played and was an integral part in SUNY New Paltz allowing only a single goal in SUNYAC action.

She continued her stellar play in the postseason, logging 172 minutes aiding in back-to-back shutouts in the semifinal and championship rounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team.


Second Team All-SUNYAC:

Laney Schmitz (junior, midfield)
Bohemia, NY/Connetquot HS

Schmitz was a key piece in solidifying the Hawks' starting 11 after moving into the No. 6 role. Tough in the air, having the ability to win back balls in the team's defensive half, the Marist transfer found her spot in the team's midfield line to allow them to control possession in the majority of their games in the latter part of the season.

"Positionally she is incredibly savvy when managing her pockets," Eckberg said. "As we build in possession, she does a great job being goal-side, in our attack she provides such a steady, poised mentality on the ball and deciphers when to be simple and when to be special. Defensively, she is an absolute rock in transition, beast in the air and does extremely well reading where to be for second balls."

Schmitz saw action in the first seven games of the 2024 season, then became a solid started for the final 10 games of the regular season, clocking in with 839 minutes. She aided a potent SUNY New Paltz offense with one goal and one assist. She started all nine SUNYAC games, with 629 minutes on the field, where she scored her goal and assist in 2024.


Third Team All-SUNYAC:

Brooke Kelleher (junior, forward)
Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West HS

The former SUNYAC Rookie of the Year joins DeLeo, former teammate Buquicchio and alumna Jessica Nadolny (1997-99), as the only three-time All-SUNYAC selections in program history.

Elevating her play from her sophomore season, Kelleher looked in prime form and was a crucial addition up top alongside Eisert and Treble. She started all 17 regular season games, totaling 916 minutes and added four goals and seven assists — with the latter just one shy of the single-season program record with the ability to still surpass the mark with SUNY New Paltz entering the NCAA Tournament Saturday.

Additionally, the Smithtown, NY native tallied two game-winners during the regular season, coming against Mount Saint Vincent and SUNY Farmingdale and held a .519 shots-on-goal percentage through 17 games. Against SUNYAC competition, she started six of nine games played, adding one goal and six assists to her credit. She added another goal in the SUNYAC Final to solidify a 2-0 win over rival SUNY Cortland to help her team hoist a SUNYAC trophy.

"Brooke did such a fantastic job elevating her craft throughout the year. She is and always has been a pure blue-collar player," Eckberg said. "Her self-belief, attacking mentality, and confidence going forward truly shined throughout this campaign. Her resilience, grit, and desire to win fueled an ultra-competitive training environment for her and our program."


Mia Baldinger (junior, midfield)
Massapequa, NY/Massapequa HS

Like Schmitz, once Baldinger was solidified in the starting lineup at the No. 10 role the Hawks started hitting their stride.

A tall, athletic, skilled player, Baldinger can play at any position up the spine of SUNY New Paltz's 11, but fit perfectly in the 10-role, creating and opening space for her teammates, especially complimenting the forward line of Eisert, Treble and Kelleher.

"Mia has a unique attacking craft," Eckberg said. "Her range of distribution is sound, she has the drive to go forward, and wherewithal to understand moments to be simple and other moments to be special. When Mia can freelance and manage her pockets off the ball without repercussion, it elevates her attack. On a day-to-day basis, Mia is truly the positive pulse of our program. She rallies those around her, she pushes herself in them to be better every day."

Baldinger started 15 of 17 regular season games, totaling 1,061 minutes. She scored three goals with three assists. In SUNYAC play, she started all nine contests, with 486 minutes on the pitch, adding three goals and two assists to the Hawks 2024 scoring column.

In the team's two postseason contests thus far, Baldinger played a crucial role in an offensive unit that scored six goals en route to a SUNYAC title, assisting on two including the game-winner in the championship round, which helped her land her first All-Tournament team selection as well.