New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz intends to finish what it started last season.
With a challenging non-league schedule leading into conference play, the Hawks are vying for a first-place finish in the SUNYAC after their 2023 campaign was cut short when they fell in penalty kicks to Oswego in the quarterfinals.
Coming off an 8-5-5 season and training trip in Costa Rica, head coach Mike Eckberg brings back the bulk of his roster with 19 Hawks returning as well as introducing six recruits to the squad. Click here to learn more about the incoming class.
Looking to improve on their record from last season, the team's combination of experience and new firepower is sure to make waves against the competition in 2024, both in and out of conference play.
SUNY New Paltz hits the turf on Aug. 20th at Hartwick College in their first non-conference match, followed by a trip across the Hudson to face Vassar on Aug. 24th. The following week on Aug. 30th, the Hawks travel to familiar opponent Russell Sage, whom the Hawks defeated 2-0 in their home opener last season.
The Hawks play another recognizable opponent, the Montclair University Red Hawks, in their first home match of the season on Sep. 4th. The NJAC runner-up earned a bid to the NCAA tournament, where they lost in the first round against Virginia Wesleyan University.
On Sep. 7th and 8th, SUNY New Paltz will head south to Drew University to compete in the annual Drew Fall Festival, facing both the namesake university as well as Stockton University, an opponent the Hawks tied 0-0 last year.
The next Wednesday, for the first time ever, SUNY New Paltz travels to the Bronx to face Mount Saint Vincent University. The Dolphins were the 2023 Skyline Champions and qualified for the NCAA tournament but fell to No. 11 nationally ranked MIT in the first round. That Saturday, SUNY New Paltz returns to the nest to host Farmingdale. The scouting report is limited, however, as the Hawks have not encountered the Rams since 2005.
Following a home game against Scranton on Sep. 18th, the Hawks conclude their non-league schedule by heading north to RPI, playing the Red Hawks on Sep. 21th. SUNY New Paltz is then slotted for a week of practices before facing their first conference opponent, defending SUNYAC champions Cortland, on Sep. 28th.
The following week the Hawks head north to Potsdam, on Oct. 2nd. Last year SUNY New Paltz dominated the Bears in a runaway 5-0 match, and Potsdam sat in the bottom half of conference standings for most of the season. Coming back home, SUNY New Paltz hosts Fredonia on Oct. 5th. The Hawks must prepare for anything going into the week, as last year the low ranked Blue Devils upset SUNY New Paltz 1-0 in the last game of the regular season, rearranging the conference standings going into the SUNYAC tournament.
On Oct. 9th and Oct. 12th, the Hawks see two new conference opponents, Morrisville and Canton, respectively. SUNY New Paltz has yet to play either team.
After the fall break weekend, the Hawks host Plattsburgh at home on Oct. 16th. The Cardinals fell the past three years to SUNY New Paltz, most recently 2-0 in 2023. They are a team to watch, as they finished third in the SUNYACS last year. The Hawks hit the road soon after, traveling to play Buffalo State on Oct. 19th. SUNY New Paltz silenced the Bengals last season, scoring a staggering nine goals, while keeping Buffalo State to none.
After traveling to play Oneonta on Oct. 23rd, the Hawks will re-encounter the Oswego Lakers at home on Oct. 26th. After defeating SUNY New Paltz in the quarters last year, the Lakers fell to Cortland in the semis 2-1, and finished fifth in the conference. This match will also be the last regular season game for both teams.
The SUNYAC tournament begins with the quarterfinals on Nov. 2nd, the semifinals on Nov. 6th and the championship match on Nov. 9th. The NCAA tournament is set to begin on Nov. 15th.
To view the full 2024 women's soccer schedule, click here.
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