New Paltz, NY — It was always the Hawks.
The State University of New York New Paltz capped off the best regular season in program history with the best ending — taking home the SUNYAC championship trophy.
"They were predestined for this," said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. "Throughout their fall campaign, they dedicated themselves every day to enhancing the training environment. Players were hitting the best versions of themselves when no one was watching, they were taking care of so many little details that mattered and they brought that level of engagement throughout the entire fall — and we saw it accumulate today."
After a scoreless first half, SUNY New Paltz (15-2-2, 8-0-1) scored two consecutive goals to outlast the Cortland Red Dragons (11-3-4, 8-0-1) and clinch the SUNYAC title, 2-0.
"Since August 16th, our goal has always been a SUNYAC championship," said senior co-captain Rachel Eisert. "We knew we would get here and it would be with a tough team and that is what Cortland was. We knew that if we took it day by day and stuck to our process, this would be the outcome for us."
Since the beginning of their 2024 campaign, there has been something special about the team. Coming off the 2023 season, the Hawks were looking to not only avenge their quarterfinal loss against Oswego in a penalty shootout, but to give every opponent in and out of conference a fight and make it all the way to the SUNYAC championship.
"We just had to put the work in and we did today. I couldn't be more thankful for this group of girls," said Eisert. "From freshman year, I could've never imagined our careers would amount to this."
SUNY New Paltz has only suffered two losses across 19 games so far, with its last defeat being against RPI Sept. 21. Since then, the Hawks have been all gas, no breaks, and have won or tied every match since which has amounted to 15 total wins — the most in a single season throughout program history, surpassing the 2011 team who finished their season with 14 victories.
Gallery: (11-9-2024) Women's Soccer SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP
In the regular season SUNY New Paltz and Cortland, the former reigning SUNYAC champions, tied in a 0-0 stalemate. However, the championship could not end the same way with the addition of overtime and penalty kicks for the championship match, so one team was forced to come out on top.
From kickoff, the tone was immediately set for the match ahead. The competitors were getting physical with each other in the midfield, constantly alternating possession, as both teams were hungry for a scoring opportunity.
"I felt that Cortland was incredibly tough as they always are," Eckberg said. "They were pinning us in [while] creating numerous throw-ins and set pieces,"
The first shot of the game came in the 14th minute when the Red Dragon's Piper Klammer fired a shot from the top of the box. The attempt was denied, however, as the Hawks' backline blocked the shot and cleared the ball out.
Laney Schmitz sent in SUNY New Paltz's first try on the net, but the junior's shot went out right. Six minutes later, Alexis DeLeo tried for herself, but her low shot was corralled by Cortland's keeper Kristen Spendal.
In the 27th minute, Hannah Wellinger came upfield from her usual defensive positioning to try and net one for the Hawks, and struck the ball toward cage from outside the 18-yard box. Again, Spendal was able to deny SUNY New Paltz and keep the game tied.
Gallery: (11-9-2024) Women's Soccer v Cortland SUNYAC FINAL
The Red Dragon's fired their final try of the half in the 42nd minute and got a shot off from the right corner of the box. Keeper Maddie Franklin was ready for the chip and easily saved the attempt to record her first save of the championship.
Minutes later, halftime was called, and neither team had netted a goal yet. Tensions were rising, and with 45 minutes left to play, the pressure was on to score before the end of regulation.
And the Hawks did just that.
After shaking off their first-half nerves, both teams were able to produce more set pieces and scoring opportunities in the second. However, Cortland struggled in the first five minutes, with two of their players going down with game-ending injuries, including their top point earner Tyla Vuotto.
In the 62nd minute, following multiple shot attempts, Simone Neivel blasted a shot for the Red Dragons that was seemingly headed for the top bins, but the ball just skimmed over the crossbar, a lucky break for SUNY New Paltz. Heading in the other direction, Franklin soared a goal kick into the middle of the field, where Mia Baldinger gained possession. Looking to create a run upfield, Baldinger saw Parris Burke ahead and sent a perfect service in the senior's direction.
"I was ready to change the game and help my team change the game, helping them score or scoring myself," said Burke. "In that moment, I saw Mia's perfect ball and I ran onto it…
"...and saw it go in the goal."
Off the pass from Baldinger, Burke netted the ball ahead of Spendal, who was looking to intercept the pass. However, Burke was quick enough to chip the ball in.
"It means everything with Parris, who has been a role player for us her entire career," said Eckberg. "It was a brilliant ball from Mia from behind and Parris read it really well, got a great touch, and finished just as the keeper was about to make a great play — all around it was a quality ball and a quality finish."
With over 25 minutes remaining, celebrations for Burke had to cease as there was much time for Cortland to respond with a goal of their own.
But not before the Hawks would strike again.
In the 74th minute, SUNY New Paltz had earned a corner kick after a shot attempt from Erin Savarese was cleared out behind the net by the Red Dragon's backline. The ball was sent in and Brooke Kelleher tried to chip a shot over Spendal but was denied. However, the attempt was not stopped by the Cortland's keeper, but by the hand of a Red Dragons field player.
The handball automatically drew a red card against the visitors and earned the Hawks a penalty kick opportunity. Kelleher went up to take the PK, and with no apprehension, placed the ball in the perfect spot to net the shot.
"With Brooke, I think to be stone cold like that and to hit her spot was phenomenal," said Eckberg. "Certainly some fortunate luck on our end to get a red card like that."
The insurance goal SUNY New Paltz desperately needed, Kelleher elevated the Hawks' lead to 2-0. With only 15 minutes left in the match, Cortland needed to respond, and put all their efforts toward their offensive third. Following the penalty goal, the Red Dragons had two shots on net, both off-target. SUNY New Paltz responded with two shot attempts of its own, both unsuccessful as well.
As the time dwindled, the Hawks started to feel the win coming closer and closer into reach. Cortland took a last-ditch effort shot in the final three minutes, but Franklin came up with her third, and final, save of the match.
The final buzzer rang out at South Turf field, and a new SUNYAC champion was crowned: the SUNY New Paltz Hawks.
"This is a long time coming," said Burke. "This team, from even when I started here, deserved so much and we finally proved to everyone in the SUNYAC and everyone who has been watching us that this is our game — we absolutely smashed it."
Burke and Kelleher recorded the Hawks' two goals, with Baldinger dishing out the sole assist on the day. Savarese, Schmitz, DeLeo, and Wellinger each had a shot on goal, with the latter three playing the full 90 minutes. Emma Voege, Grace Lien, and Franklin also recorded 90 minutes of lockdown defending, with Franklin picking up three saves.
"Our coach said it best, that we were predestined for this moment," said Franklin. "Every single practice has been so serious and so cutthroat, we have been building up to this moment since we got here. There is no group of girls more deserving."
As SUNYAC Champions, SUNY New Paltz automatically earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The DIII selection show is scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m., where the Hawks will find out their opponents heading to the national stage.
"We knew all along and what a sweet way to end my last regular season," said Eisert. "We are excited to keep going. Why not the Hawks?"
The 2024 SUNYAC All-Tournament Team:
Grace Auer (Fredonia), Katie Sellers (Fredonia), Shannon Lowney (Oneonta), Keira Dashnow (Oneonta), Katie Consenza (Cortland, Piper Klammer (Cortland), Kristen Spendal (Cortland), Mia Baldinger (New Paltz), Maddie Franklin (New Paltz), Hannah Wellinger (New Paltz), Rachel Eisert (New Paltz) — MVP, Keara Johnson (Cortland) — Elite 20
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