New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz women' soccer program announced its incoming class for the 2024 season.

The six incoming Hawks look to add depth to an already stacked roster as the team returns 19 players from last year's club. SUNY New Paltz is primed to make a run at the SUNYAC conference title in more than a decade, building off of three straight SUNYAC postseason tournament appearances."

"We are extremely excited to welcome the 2024 class," said SUNY New Paltz coach Mike Eckberg. "Collectively, they bring a contagious energy, a true dedication to their craft and an unending grit to be better each day.  More than half of our group has competed at the USYS Nationals, the highest stage of a US Youth Soccer. They are super coachable, and our staff is incredibly excited to engulf them in our environment. The icing on the cake is their level of humility, selflessness and willingness to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They truly bleed Blue and Orange. We cannot wait for August."

Read more about each incoming Hawk below:

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Jessica Centeri '28

Goalie
Selden, NY
Newfield High School
NY Surf Soccer Club

High School: Team captain…All League…All Division…amassed 438 career saves in career…ranked as one of Suffolk County's and Long Island's top goalkeepers…also scored eight goals with one assist in career.
 
Club: Led NY Surf 06 to NYS Cup Championship, USYS National Championship.

Adding depth to an already talented goalkeeping group, Centeri is primed to be the future as she likely will see time behind incumbent and former All-SUNYAC pick Maddie Franklin. Playing club at NY Surf, Centeri helped her team earn a NYS Cup Championship and USYS National Championship title. While starring for Newfield High School, the Selden, NY native was an All-League and All-Division pick.

"Jess has a special level of intensity and focus," Eckberg said. "She is a warrior and risks everything when in goal. Her attitude in training, dedication to excellence in every repetition and unparalleled competitiveness are at the next level. Jess competed at one of the highest levels in club soccer, including USYSS Nationals, and does not fret on the big stage. While she relishes these moments, she is incredibly humble, team centric and purpose driven."

Alyssa Deutsch '28

Midfield
Islip Terrace, NY
East Islip High School
Stony Brook LGN United

High School: Four-year varsity starter…All Division II…led team to Suffolk County Class AA finals and to Suffolk County Class AA championship…scored highest GPA on the team earning White Letter award.
 
Club: Three-year captain of Stony Brook LGN United…led team to 2022 NYS Championship

Cup championship and NYS League Cup championship…2024 LIJ Cup championship and 2024 USYS National championship…member of first girls team to compete in the Mundialito Tournament in Spain.
Another added piece the Hawks' strong midfield unit, Deutsch is an intelligent, skilled player who will aid in the team's ability to transition quickly offensively. A three-year captain at Stony Brook LGN United, she helped her club to a New York State Championship title in 2022 and was an All-Division II pick while starring for East Islip High School where she was a four-year letter winner.

"Alyssa is an ultra-crafty and deceptive attacking player," Eckberg said. "She is savvy in between the lines, pushes the attacking tempo in transition and finds countless ways to break the final line on the dribble, playing against the grain, combining with others.  What stands out to us is her willingness to keep failing.  She loves to attack and does not get worn down by uncontrollables. She can create moments of brilliance in an instant."
 

Abigail Dolge '26

Midfield/Forward
Valatie, NY
Ichabod Crane High School
Albany Alleycats Premier Soccer Club
 
High School: Started at midfield entire high school career…first team All NYS…Section Two Class B Player of the Year…Times Union 1st Team ...All Conference (three times) ...Colonial Council 1st Team (twice)...Colonial Council Offensive Player of the Year…scored 27 goals in her junior year…High Honor Roll all four years…also played basketball, track, tennis, and was kicker for the football team.
 
Marist: Saw action in three games over two seasons.

Doldge will be a welcome addition to the starting lineup for the Hawks, having the ability to play in the midfield or at any of the positions up top in the team's 4-3-3 formation. The second-straight Marist transfer — following Laney Schmitz last season — Dolge adds a superior tactical ability, adding to an already stacked midfield/forward rotation for SUNY New Paltz.

In high school, she was a first-team All-State pick for Ichabod Crane, along with being named as the Class B Player of the Year and Times Union First Team selection.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Abby to finish her career," Eckberg said. "Every single person, coach and teammate has said the same thing about Abby. She is a soccer junkie, has an unbelievable engine and is an incredible person. Her experience in the attack will create a pathway to unlimited potential in our final third. She has a drive, uncanny quickness and ability to change direction and strength to uproot defenders. She will undoubtedly impact our daily environment and push our program to new heights."
 

Kara Jahrsdoefer '28

Defense
Massapequa, NY
Massapequa High School
NY Surf Soccer Club

High School: Three-year varsity player…Member of Massapequa teams with three-year overall record of 50-3-7 and conference record of 35-0-3…member of the Chiefs 2021 Nassau County, Long Island and NYS Class AA champions, the 2022 Nassau County Class AA Champions and the 2023 Nassau County Class AA champions.
 
Club: Member of NY Surf 06 team that won the NYS Cup Championship and USYS Championship.

Jahrsdoefer joins Mia Baldinger and Hannah Pugliese as former Massapequa High School stars to make the transition over to coach Eckberg's squad. The Massapequa, NY native will see time defensively, and will add depth to the Hawks back line.

While starring for the Chiefs, Jahrsdoefer helped the team to a three Nassau County titles, along with Class AA Champions in 2021. She joined fellow teammate Jessica Centeri on NY Surf Soccer club with the duo aiding in a New York State Cup Championship title with their '06 team.

"Kara is a poised, experienced defender," Eckberg said. "She is technically sound and has a crazy level of composure. Kara is the glue between the lines; she gets on the ball and off the ball, she dictates play, she dictates tempo, she is super intelligent. She manages her pockets very well and understands her role in transition and in possession."
 

Grace Lein '28

Defense
Centereach, NY
Centereach High School
Middle Country SBMC

High School:  All League II…All Division II…team MVP…NYS Gold Key recipient…also played lacrosse.
 
Club:  Helped lead team of National League finals…member of two-time U-18 Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Eastern Region Champions with Middle Country SBMC.
 
Lein joins fellow classmate Jahrsdoefer to add needed depth to the Hawks back line. Playing for Centereach High School, Lein was an All-League and All-Division II selection as the dual-sport athlete also starred for the Cougars varsity girl's lacrosse team in the spring.

"Grace is a tough defender," Eckberg said. "She is task oriented in the back, simple and sound on the ball and incredibly efficient in her defensive battles. Every time we see Grace compete; she hits another level. Her fearlessness, grit and commitment to details are class. She is truly dedicated to shutting down high level attacking players. While she is one of the sweetest people you will meet, she is a ruthless and unrelenting defender."
 

Abigail Macleod '28

Midfield
North Babylon, NY
North Babylon High School

High School: Four-year varsity player on a team that was 33-16-5… scored nine goals with eight assists for the Bulldogs.

Macleod adds speed to the Hawks' already dynamic and athletic midfield rotation, as she will potentially see some time on the flank with her ability to attack forward and recover defensively. A four-year varsity letter winner for North Babylon High School, she helped the Bulldogs to 30-plus wins over the course of her varsity career.

"Abby is a burst of ability; she can explode on the flank and create impactful moments at any point," Eckberg said. "She has an extremely high ceiling. She has the tools: pace, strength, forward attacking mentality. She will thrive in our environment. How quickly she climbs to the next level and makes the most of her opportunities will be the fun part."



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