New Paltz, NY — Looking forward to their 2024 campaign, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team released their official schedule for the upcoming season.
The State University of New York New Paltz men's soccer program has recently announced its incoming class for the 2024 season. The 10 incoming Hawks look to add depth to a young, promising roster for coach Kyle Clancy. The team boasts possibly its deepest and most versatile group, as the program looks to move past the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament for the first time since 2012 and compete for its first conference title in nearly 60 years.
To read more about each incoming Hawk click here.
Coming off of a winning 9-2-4 overall record, the Hawks intend to make waves in the SUNYAC conference and have a deep playoff run this season, hopefully surpassing their quarterfinal finish in 2023, where they fell to the Buffalo State Bengals in a nail biting 1-0 match.
Hawks enter the season with a home contest against Dominican on Aug. 22, followed by a quick trip south to compete against the Mount Saint Mary Knights on Aug 25. The team closes out the month with a tournament, facing RPI and SUNY Poly on Aug 30 and 31, respectively.
On Sep. 4, the Hawks travel to face Union College, and take to the road again on Sep. 7, heading to Pennsylvania to compete against the University of Scranton, a team the Hawks have yet to defeat. The following week, SUNY New Paltz hosts neighboring rival Vassar, a consistently competitive opponent whom the Hawks beat 1-0 last season, one of only two victories against the Brewers since 2011.
The Hawks venture to Manhattanville to take on the Valiants on Sep. 15, the first game of a three-match week. Two days later the team travels to Stevens College, an opponent the Hawks have not faced since defeating them 1-0 in 2011. SUNY New Paltz concludes the week at home against Lehman, whom the Hawks authoritatively defeated 6-0 last year. The Lightning are also the last non-conference opponent SUNY New Paltz will face before SUNYAC play.
On Sep. 28, the Hawks will face their first conference opponent, the Cortland Red Dragons, also the reigning SUNYAC champions, and ended the 2023 season ranked No. 13 nationally after making it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. Last season, SUNY New Paltz took an unfortunate 2-0 loss against Cortland at home.
Conference play continues Oct. 2, when SUNY New Paltz hosts the Potsdam Bears, who finished last in SUNYAC standings in 2023. The Hawks then head for Fredonia on Oct. 5 to take on the Blue Devils, another bottom-half finisher in the conference last season.
The following week introduces new conference opponents to the Hawks, Morrisville and Canton, the two latest additions to the SUNYAC lineup. SUNY New Paltz will host Morrisville on Oct. 9, and head to Canton on Oct. 12.
On Oct. 16, the Hawks fly north to face the Plattsburgh Cardinals, whom SUNY New Paltz tied 1-1 last season. That Saturday, the Hawks host Buffalo State for their annual Heinz Ahlmeyer game, a match honoring former Hawks men's soccer player killed in action in the Vietnam War. A game of much importance, it is also a rematch against the Bengals, the team that took SUNY New Paltz out of playoff contention last year.
In the last week of regular season play, SUNY New Paltz faces Oneonta at home on Oct. 23. The Red Dragons made it to the SUNYAC championship game last season, earning a bid to the NCAA tournament, where they were knocked out in the second round against Washington and Lee. The Generals ranked third nationally in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Poll, whereas Oneonta finished the season ranked 25th.
The Hawks face their final SUNYAC opponent on Oct. 26, when they will travel to Oswego and hopefully defeat the Lakers, as a 0-0 tie last season was unexpected in what was an arguably winnable match up for SUNY New Paltz.
The SUNYAC Quarterfinal is slotted for Nov. 2, followed by the semifinal on Nov. 6 and the final on Nov. 9. If the Hawks were to move on to the national stage, the first round of the NCAA tournament will occur on Nov. 15.
To view the full 2024 men's soccer schedule, click here.
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