Last season was historic for the State University of New York at New Paltz women's lacrosse program. The Hawks claimed their first winning season — both overall and in the SUNYAC — and the clinched their second consecutive (third overall) appearance in the SUNYAC Tournament. Entering 2024, they look to build upon what they achieved after replenishing with a young, but talented and promising roster.

While 14 Hawks return from last season's squad, the midfield has the most experience to carry SUNY New Paltz beyond its SUNYAC preseason rank of fifth place. However, the team enjoyed a strong preseason, which saw an impressive 16-9 win in a scrimmage over visiting Vassar — a glimpse of the potential of what the season can bring in each facet for the Hawks.

"We prepared for a while over preseason in terms of our technical skills, and we came out every day and had high energy," said SUNY New Paltz senior captain Kaitlyn Shaw. "We came out ready to compete every day, but I think it comes down to our trust in each other. Trust in each other on defense, trust throughout midfield and in our transition and then on attack we float so well together. I think that trust component is a very important factor in our success from that scrimmage. I think it was a great building block, but that's now our standard and we're going to have to improve from there."
 
Although SUNY New Paltz still is looking to prove its place among the SUNYAC best, the 2024 season, the third under head coach Randy Vite, has an emphasis on continuing to build upon the culture of the program — having the ability to "handle the hard" and strive through adversity.
 
"This year we have an emphasis on handling hard situations, and pushing ourselves of doing more, wanting more and overall, just achieving more and getting success this season," Shaw said. "And, since we do have a young roster, we want to make sure that culture is constantly being implemented both on the field, off the field, in the locker room and just all around. I think so far, having that mind shift has improved our level of play."

 
 
Shaw is the key piece of the puzzle, as the senior is not only one of the best players in the conference, and one of the best to ever suit up for the Hawks, but enters as the most tenured on the program and was named as the lone captain. The responsibility was not lost on Shaw, who understands her role is not only to move the program forward, but empower the talented classes beneath her.
 
"Not only being a captain this year, but also being one of the few upperclassmen, I think my main goal is making sure that the underclassmen and the freshmen feel welcomed constantly," she said. "They're stepping into some big roles and no matter the level they're at in terms of their grade level, that they are important on this field, and they have a voice, and they can use that at any point."  
Shaw (Rye Brook, NY/Blind Brook HS) was the team's leading point-getter the last two seasons, including a whopping 52 goals scored last year, which beat her own single season record she set of 50 the year previous. She added 11 assists with 24 ground balls and 53 draw controls en route to being named as a Second-Team All-SUNYAC pick. In just more than two seasons played — her freshman year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic — she has totaled 115 goals and is just 16 shy of breaking the program's all-time record set by Samantha DeLGaudio '12. Additionally, she has totaled 27 assists (12th most in team history), 142 points (sixth most), 111 and draw controls (seventh most) with 34 caused turnovers and 67 ground balls.  
 
She is joined on the midfield line by a group of second-year players who are primed for break-out seasons including sophomore All-SUNYAC select Morgan Atwater (Brighton, NY/Brighton HS), who hit the net with 26 goals, 12 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers a year ago. Her twin sister Lexi Atwater returns. She contributed 11 goals last season in five games played; another sophomore who saw considerable action is Mia Ballinger (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa HS) who was the x-factor in the team's exhibition win over the Brewers, totaling two goals and four assists. Second-year player, senior Morgan Woolley (Bluepoint, NY/Bayport-Blue Point HS) will again fly through the box and will be vital in Vite's defensive scheme, which set records last year for its stingy play. Woolley started 13 games last season in her first year and totaled 13 ground balls and nine caused turnovers.  
 
Rounding out the midfield line will be junior Kira Tucker (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa HS) and freshman Helena Willis (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks HS), one of the top-rated players from Section IV, will also see some time in the midfield and on attack as well.
 
SUNY New Paltz rejuvenated its attack with three freshman leading the way including, Ava Padilla (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook HS), Samantha DeLucca (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook HS) and Allison Beattie (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia HS). Padilla and DeLucca were instrumental in leading Lynbrook to an undefeated conference record as seniors; Beattie led her Columbia team into the Section Two, Class B playoffs. Adding depth and some experience to the Hawks attack will be second-year players in senior Lu Clark (Salt Point, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes HS), and sophomores Ava Cronin (New Paltz, NY/New Paltz HS) and Nicole Matthews (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville). Clark scored seven goals last season, while Cronin and Matthews combined for two.
 
"Last year, we definitely made a lot of great steps with this program and our team in general," Shaw said. "At the end of last season, we saw a lot of accomplishments and we were proud of what we had done with this program, and this year I think we're at a new level of intensity and competitiveness and I think the underclassmen have a lot to do with that. We have a young team and I think they're so eager and excited to be here. They're bringing a new level of energy to this team, and we're excited to see what we do this year.  
SUNY New Paltz's biggest losses came on the defensive end, as it graduated three of their four starting defenders. However, Vite's class was highlighted by a pair of solid defenders who have filled in well as they develop as cornerstones on that end of the field. First year's Ailylin Rutnik (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna HS) and Amy Whitman (Port Jefferson, NY/Earl L. Vandermeulen HS) both have extensive lacrosse experience and were key members of their respective high school's postseason play. Sophomore Ella Ginas (Medford, NY/Patchogue-Medford HS) was an addition as well on the defensive end. They will be joined by incumbents, junior Francesca Corozzo (Glen Head, NY/North Shore HS), senior Grace Bernardi (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook Senior HS) and sophomore Sam Wohlmut (Center Moriches, NY/Center Moriches HS). Corzzo is the most experienced player on defense, having started 15 of 16 games a year ago, with 27 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers.

"We had some important positions on our defense leave last year, but I think we have some incredible freshmen who have really stepped up and have done an excellent job of pushing us to be better, and just be more aggressive but also be confident in each other and know that the people to the right and left of us have our backs," Shaw said. "I think we're going to be a great, unstoppable defense this year."
 
With a year's worth of collegiate experience behind her, sophomore Gabriella Tommaso (Port Jefferson Station, NY/Comsewogue HS) looks to be a key stalwart between the pipes for the Hawks. She started all 16 games last season as a first-year player, totaling 859 minutes, with 102 saves and a 9.15 goals-against-average. In the mix will be sophomore Mollie Harris (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush HS) and freshman Piper Mascaros (Greenlawn, NY/John H. Glenn HS), whose prowess during her high school career earned her accolades as one of the top goalies in Section XI.
 
SUNY New Paltz opens its 16-game season on the road Saturday facing the Pioneers of Utica University in Utica. Two more road games, against Hartwick College and Mt. St. Mary College follow before the home opener on March 6, with Kean University coming to the North Turf Field. The Hawks will open their nine game 2024 SUNYAC account at home, hosting Buffalo State University on March 23 and concluding with SUNY Oneonta at home April 24. The SUNYAC
Tournament first round will begin on April 27 on the home field of the higher seed.
 
"Throughout the preseason weeks, we've developed a lot of trust in each other, and I think that's a key component of being able to play lacrosse," Shaw added. "From our defense to our transitions to scoring goals on the opposite end, and you see that in every aspect. I think that's what led to a lot of the success in our scrimmage, and I think that bond will continue to develop throughout the season."

Preview Featuring Kaitlyn Shaw


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