New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz men's lacrosse program announced its incoming class ahead of the 2025 spring season.
 
The 17 incoming Hawks are the first class for head coach Dylan Neisler who enters his third season at the helm. With the departure of 12 seniors, including eight four-year starters, Neisler made sure to bring in a deep incoming class that hit on athleticism and size, two factors that was a need entering the year.
 
"For us in this class a big emphasis was to add a lot of size and athleticism to our group," Neisler said. "It was something that we were lacking in a lot of our big games that we needed to address. I feel like this class hits on those needs."
 
Neisler's class is the largest since the inception of the program in 2020. He adds student-athletes from three different states in New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey with one transfer in former Juniata Eagle Aiden Duran.
 
Read more about each incoming Hawk below:

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Nick D'Arcangelo '28

5'10" 185 lbs.
Attack/Midfield
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Springs High School
Albany Stags LC

High School: Three-year starter…helped team to Section 2, Class A semifinals 2023, 2024…has played lacrosse since first grade…holds second degree black belt.

D'Arcangelo is a 5-foot, 10-inch midfielder from Saratoga Springs, NY. He played his club lacrosse at Albany Stags LC. He was a three-year starter for Saratoga Springs, helping the team to back-to-back Section II, Class A Semifinal appearances the last coming this past spring.


 

Aiden Duran '25

5'5"
Attack/Midfield
Walden, NY
Valley Central High School
Juniata College Transfer (graduate student)

Duran transfers to SUNY New Paltz for his fifth and final season after spending the last four years at Juniata College.
Earning an additional COVID year to finish out his collegiate career, Duran adds much needed veteran leadership to a Hawks team that graduated 11 starters from last year's group.

Seeing time possibly on SUNY New Paltz's midfield and attacking lines, Duran totaled 61 goals and 21 assists in three playing seasons with the Eagles, while earning 37 starts in 47 games played. Totaling 82 points in those three seasons, Duran also added 56 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers. Last season, he contributed 22 points, 25 ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Duran, originally from Walden, NY, attended Valley Central High School and played club for Reign Lacrosse Club.
 

Sean Hoolan '28

5'10" 150 lbs
Attack/Midfield
Smithtown, NY
Smithtown High School West
Tenacious Turtles LC

High School: Started for Smithtown West team that was 15-3 overall and 12-2 in Suffolk Division 2 and reached Suffolk County Class B finals… has played lacrosse since age four.

Hoolan is another 5'10 attacking midfielder that will add depth to the Hawks' roster at either spot on the team's attacking front or offensive middie line.

Hoolan starred for Smithtown West High School that reached the Suffolk County B Finals this past spring. He played club for Tenacious Turtles LC.

 

Andrew Hulede '28

6'3" 225 lbs
Defense
Bronx, NY
Cardinal Hayes High School

High School: Two-year starter…totals for career: 32 ground balls, 24 CTO and one goal… All-League First-Team Defense (2024) … selected to President's Men…Student Athlete Award…First Honors.
Another add of much needed size to the Hawks roster, Hulede is a defenseman who played for inaugural SUNY New Paltz men's lacrosse coach Dwayne Stewart at Cardinal Hayes High School and for Bronx Lacrosse.

Listed at 6'3, 220-pounds, Hulede was a two-year starter for Cardinal Hayes and totaled 32 ground balls with 24 caused turnovers with one goal during his career. Additionally, Hulede was a First-Team All-League defensive selection and was a President's Men and Student Athlete Award honoree.
 

Blake Lyons '28

5'10" 150 lbs
Midfield
Carle Place, NY
Carle Place High School
Igloo Lacrosse

High School: Three-year varsity player for combined The Wheatley School/Carle Place High School team…recorded 140 career points with 77 goals and 63 assists…led team to 2024 first round of Nassau County Class C/D playoffs… Unsung Hero recipient (2022), all-conference (2023), all-county honorable mention (2024)… also played three years varsity soccer for Carle Place…all-conference soccer selection (2022 & 2023)… Joe Coady All-Around Best Athlete Award (2024)… Official Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award (2023)… class vice president.

Lyons is a 5'9 midfielder who will add depth to Neisler's incoming group. Lyons was a three-year varsity letter winner for a combined Wheatley/Carle Place boy's lacrosse team, helping to lead the team to a first round Nassau County Class C/D playoff appearance last spring.  

An all-conference select in 2023, Lyons was also an Unsung Hero recipient for lacrosse in 2022 and was named all-county honorable mention last spring. A two-sport athlete, Lyons also starred for the Frogs varsity soccer team for three seasons and earned all-conference honors in 2022 and 2023. The Carle Place, NY native earned the Joe Coady All-Around Best Athlete Award following his senior year and was an Official Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete in 2023.

Lyons is just one of several collegiate athletes in his family, as his sister Abby stars for the University of Notre Dame women's lacrosse team, while his mom Michelle was a dual sport Division I athlete starring for Siena College's field hockey and women's lacrosse team from 1992-1996. Lyons plans on studying Mechanical Engineering while at SUNY New Paltz.
 

Jack McLaughlin '28

5'10"
Attack/Midfield
Buffalo, NY
Amherst Central High School
Performax

High School: Three-year varsity player…among top 20 scorers in Section VI (2024) ...helped team to Section VI, Class C semifinals…career stats include 76 goals, 27 assists, 103 points,84 ground balls…also NYSSMA All State vocal, choir.

McLaughlin, hailing from Buffalo, NY will also provide depth to SUNY New Paltz's offense, either playing at attack or on the Hawks' offensive middie line. He was a three-year varsity player at Amherst Central High School and finished last spring top-20 in scoring in Section VI.

With McLaughlin helping carry the Tigers offense, Amherst earned a spot in the Section VI, Class C semifinals in 2024.
 

Riley Nelson '28

5'10" 175 lbs
Attack/Midfield
Scituate, RI
Ponaganset High School
Rhode Island Bulldogs

High School: Team captain…three-year starter…RIIL Division III All Star…Rhode Island Coaches All Academic selection…also played ice hockey.

Hailing from Scituate, Rhode Island, Nelson enters the Hawks program also ready to bolster the team's offensive depth. A team captain and three-year starter for Ponaganset High School, Nelson was named a RIIL Division III All-Star this past season. Additionally, Nelson was an All-Academic selection al four years at Ponaganset.

Nelson was a dual sport athlete, playing four seasons on the Chieftains varsity ice hockey team. He additionally played club for the Rhode Island Bulldogs and plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering while at SUNY New Paltz.

Zachary Novak '28

5'11" 175 lbs
Goalie
Selkirk, NY
Bethlehem Central High School
Albany Power

High School: Three-year varsity player…in goal for 2024 Section 2, Class B finals…also played ice hockey.

With the graduation of incumbent Ryan Steinhart, who over his four seasons with the Hawks totaled a whopping 700 saves to go along with an All-SUNYAC pick two seasons ago, SUNY New Paltz was in need of replenishing the goalie position with fresh young talent who can develop into the everyday starter. Novak is added to that rotation, as the Selkirk, NY native will vie for time between the pipes after playing three seasons on the Bethlehem boy's varsity lacrosse program where he helped lead the team to a Section II, Class B finals appearance last spring.

Novak, listed at 5'11, 175-pounds also starred for Bethlehem's ice hockey team, while playing cub lacrosse for Albany Power.
 

Joseph O'Connell '28

6'1" 160 lbs
Attack/Midfield
Williston Park, NY
Mineola High School
Express Lax LI

High School: Played just two years of scholastic lacrosse, all on varsity…scored 107 career points, 57 goals and 50 assists…All Nassau County Honorable Mention (2024) …helped team to Nassau County, Class C playoffs (2024) ...also played football and basketball.
 
O'Connell will see time on the Hawks' midfield line, possibly both on offense and defense, but played the majority of his pre-collegiate career on offense helping Mineola High School to a Nassau County, Class C playoff run. He was named an All-Nasau County honorable mention select last season and ended his high school career with 107 carer points with 57 goals and 50 assists.
 
O'Connell was a three-sport athlete as well, playing both football and basketball for Mineola. The Willison Park, NY native played club for Express Lax LI.
 

Ryan O'Hara '28

5'5" 150 lbs
Face-off Specialist
Oakdale, NY
Connetquot High School
Tenacious Turtles LC

High School: Four-year varsity player…member 2024 Suffolk County, Class A playoff team.

O'Hara hopes to compete for the starting FOGO spot for the Hawks last season after the departure of former All-SUNYAC pick Matt Brignati. SUNY New Paltz struggled at the faceoff X last season, winning just 39 percent on the year.

O'Hara, listed at 5'5, 150-pounds, gains good leverage and saw success both for Connetquot High School and while starring for Tenacious Turtles Lacrosse Club. The Oakdale, NY native was a four-year varsity letter winner for the T-Birds, as he helped Connetquot to a Suffolk County Class A playoff run this past spring.
 
 

Michael Plante '28

5' 8" 165 lbs
Attack
Hoosick Falls, NY
Hoosick Falls Jr/Sr High School

High School: Team captain for combined Hoosick Falls/Tamarac High School team…scored 127 points in two years of varsity play; 115 goals and 22 assists…led Wildcats to 2024 State ranking in Class D and undefeated league season (10-0) and to Section 2, Class D championship game.

Plante is a skilled attackman who will look to enhance the Hawks offensively, helping to replace three starters that have since graduated from last season, including two of the team's top-five point getters.

From Hoosick Falls, NY, Plante was a team captain for a combined Hoosick Falls/Tamarac High varsity boy's lacrosse team. He led the Wildcats to a 2024 Class D State ranking after the team went 10-0, which included a Section II Class D title game appearance.

 

Noah Reed '28

5'11" 185 lbs
Defense
Center Moriches, NY
Center Moriches High School
Legacy Lacrosse-LI

High School: Named to Long Island Lacrosse Journal 2022 End of Season Watch List…named to Long Island Lacrosse Journal 2024 Watch List-Defense…named 2024 All League-Division 2.

Reed is another add to the Hawks' defensive unit. Listed at 5'11 and 185-pounds, the Center Moriches, NY native will compete for a starting spot next spring for SUNY New Paltz.

While starring for Center Moriches High School, Reed was named to Long Island Lacrosse Journal End of Season Watch List in 2022 and again in 2024. Following his senior season, he earned All-League Division II honors.
Reed played club for Legacy Lacrosse-Long Island.
 

Finian Smith '28

5'11" 150 lbs
Attack
Syracuse, NY
Corcoran High School
True Lacrosse-NY

High School: Four-year starter for combined Syracuse City School District team…recorded 160 career points with 101 goals and 59 assists…All Central New York 2nd Team (2023, 2024) …led team to 2023 Section III, Class A semifinals.
 
Smith will also help stymy the graduation of three 100-point getters for the Hawks as he looks to find a spot on the team's starting attack line. The Syracuse, NY native was a four-year starter for a combined Syracuse City School District team, recording 160 career points with 101 goals and 59 assists throughout his career. During that time, he was a two-time All-Central New York Second Team selection in both his junior and senior seasons while also leading the team to a Section III, Class A semifinal appearance in 2023.
 
Smith played club for True Lacrosse-NY.
 
 

Aiden South '28

6'1" 225 lbs
Defense
Lake Peekskill, NY
Putnam Valley High School
Ultimate Orange LC
 
High School: Four-year varsity lacrosse member… two-year team captain… Member of 2024 team that qualified for Section One, Class D playoffs…has played lacrosse since age six.

South will fit in size wise with the rest of Neisler's incoming class of defensemen. Listed at 6'1, 225-pounds, the Lake Peekskill, NY native will add needed depth at the position after the Hawks graduated two, four-year starters.

South was a two-year captain and four-year letter winner for the Putnam Valley High School's boy's lacrosse team, helping them to a Section I, Class D playoff run last spring.  He played club lacrosse for Ultimate Orange LC.
 

Yasin Tabatabee '28

6'3" 185 lbs
Long Stick Midfield
Green Township, NJ
Newton High School
Jersey Thunder

High School: Four-year varsity lacrosse…member of 2024 NJSIAA Group I playoff team.

Tabatabee instantly adds much needed size to the Hawks roster overall, but especially on the defensive side where he will compete at the LSM spot for SUNY New Paltz. Listed at 6'3, 185, the Green Township, NJ native starred for Newton High School where he was a four-year varsity letter winner where he helped lead the team to a NJSIAA Group I playoff run this past spring.

Tabatabee played club for Jersey Thunder.
 

Eric Waldron '28

6'1' 170 lbs
Goalie
Wappingers Falls, NY
Roy C. Ketcham High School
New York Reign

High School: Varsity goalie for combined Wappingers Central School District team…named to
Poughkeepsie Journal Elite 11 (2024) ... Poughkeepsie Journal Honorable Mention (2024) ...listed by lohud.com as one of the top goalies in the region…all-league recipient (2024) ... All-Star Game participant… also played football.

A local talent who starred for Reign Lacrosse Club, Waldron will join Novak on the Hawks goalie staff who will compete for the starting spot this upcoming spring, alongside rising sophomore Dan Clark.

From Wappingers Falls, NY, Waldron was a Poughkeepsie Journal Elite 11 recipient this past spring, along with being named as a Poughkeepsie Journal Honorable Mention selection. Also earning all-league honors, Waldron was an All-Star Game participant, as he was named as one of the top goalies in the region by LoHud.com.

A dual-sport athlete, Waldron also started for Roy C. Ketcham's football team. He plans to major in Business while at SUNY New Paltz.

Killian Yombor '28

5'11" 155 lbs
Midfield
Rockaway, NJ
Morris Hills High School

High School: Four-year varsity player…recorded 90 career points with 69 goals and 21 assists…NJILL Klank Division All Star-2nd Team (2023, 2024) ...led team to perfect 6-0 in 2024 NJILL Klank Division…captain of soccer team…named All conference-2nd Team and All County-2nd Team in soccer…also played basketball.

Yombor is a 5'11 midfielder from Rockaway, NJ who was a four-year varsity letter winner for Morris Hills High School. During his career, he accumulated nearly 70 goals with 90 career points. He was a two-time NJILL Klank Division Second-Team All-Star selection, named after his junior and senior seasons. This past spring, he led the team to a perfect 6-0 record in the NJILL Klank Division.

Yombor was a three-sport athlete at Morris Hills, starring on the soccer and basketball teams as well. He was a second-team all-conference and all-county selection in soccer last fall.
 

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