Chicago, ILL — Two of the program's best to ever suit up for the program capped an historic year and careers by receiving their Scholar All-America awards at the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention held this year in Chicago.
 
Senior captains Rachel Eisert and Maddie Franklin became the only duo in program history to be named Scholar All-America, officially announced by United Soccer Coaches Dec. 19. This past weekend, Eisert and Franklin, accompanied by head coach Mike Eckberg and their families attended the convention with student-athletes and coaches from Division I, II and III represented across the country.
 
"I felt so honored and humbled to be among some of the best soccer athletes in our country this past weekend and to be able to celebrate this achievement with them," Franklin said. "It was awesome also seeing the coaches, parents, and other loved ones of these college students who have devoted so much of their lives to their players' sport also be recognized throughout the weekend."
 
"Traveling to Chicago and having the opportunity to be recognized among the amazing student-athletes at the convention, including my own teammate, was an indescribable experience and was an incredibly rewarding way to end my career as a NPWS player," added Eisert who was honored as both a Scholar All-America and USC All-American at the annual convention.
 
Eisert ends her four-year career as the best player in SUNY New Paltz Women's Soccer history. She was the first Scholar All-America selection for the team after receiving the honor last year and now becomes the first two-time selection. Additionally, Eisert was named as just the second Hawk to earn United Soccer Coaches All-American, earning a spot on second team after her third-straight All-Region nod, fourth-straight All-SUNYAC honor and second consecutive SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year accolade.
 
 
"Through every experience that came with NPWS, I learned more and more that soccer will always be more than a game," Eisert said. "This program has shaped me in ways that I otherwise would not have been. More importantly, the relationships I formed throughout my time here will always be close to my heart, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by the strong, resilient, loyal, and incredible women who pushed me to be better every single day."
 
Franklin also solidified her name in the program's history books. She became the first SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year selection this past November and enjoyed her first All-Region accolade after leading the Hawks' stingy defense that allowed just nine goals all season.
 
Franklin was honored to be recognized, but grateful to have Eisert beside her throughout the weekend to celebrate the historic season that was and represent the program.  
"I kept telling Rachel all throughout the weekend I would have been so nervous to be there by myself," Franklin admitted. "I held so much pride in knowing that there were two athletes there representing New Paltz and being with a fellow teammate and captain throughout the whole weekend made the celebration that much sweeter. The strides Rachel and I made as players could not have been done without one another. We were constantly pushing each other to the next level, balancing each other well as a forward and goalkeeper dynamic. It was an honor to be able to celebrate our achievements along with our friendship this past weekend."
 
Both Franklin and Eisert got the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world, including meeting former United States Women's Soccer star and two-time World Cup Champion and New Jersey native Carly Lloyd.
 
"The best part of the weekend was probably seeing all of the famous coaches and soccer players that were also there in the same hotel as us," Franklin said. "Rachel and I were basically constantly in a state of fangirling and on the lookout for anyone we might recognize. We had a horrifically fumbled interaction with Carly Lloyd that was by far my favorite part of the entire weekend."
 
Franklin and Eisert were both named to the SUNYAC All-Tournament team after leading SUNY New Paltz to a SUNYAC Championship title and berth into the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Celebrating the season that this team had will never get old to me, and having another opportunity to celebrate all that we have accomplished together on such a big stage felt surreal," Eisert said. "I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, but even more so for the team and all the memories that we made together through this monumental season."  
There were 38 student-athletes named across the country as Scholar All-Americans, 16 on first, 11 on second and 11 on third team. Eisert was a first-team selection, while Franklin landed on third team. The United Soccer Coaches Scholar Athlete award recognizes student-athletes that model the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship, is a junior or senior in athletic standing, must have a maintained 3.4 cumulative GPA or higher throughout their career, play a minimum of 75 percent of their games this past season and be an elite player supported by honors.
 
"Being able to share this experience with Maddie is something that I will remember forever," Eisert added. "I truly admire the person and player that Maddie is, and being there together made the experience all the more exciting. My favorite part of the weekend was hearing the guest speaker talk about her experience as a soccer player, and how the lessons she learned on the field translated into her ability to overcome adversity in fighting metastatic breast cancer, and the heart transplants of her young daughters."
 
Throughout their career, being a member of the Hawks women's soccer team has allowed both Eisert and Franklin a chance to visit places across the country and even abroad, as the two spent last spring break with their team competing in Costa Rica with Eisert attending the USC convention last year in Anaheim, CA and now Chicago.
 
"When I was getting ready to leave for college, my sister would tell me often how much growth happens once you truly find your place and your people," said Franklin who transferred to SUNY New Paltz after spending one season at Roberts Wesleyan. "I had no idea at the time that that meant having to face fears like flying and staying in foreign countries, but I am eternally grateful that Coach Mike. He was constantly pushing our boundaries not only as athletes but as people as well. As a homebody there are so many things I never would have done if I wasn't surrounded by such supportive and adventurous friends and after everything, we went through in Costa Rica I can confidently say I would follow any of them anywhere (as long as they go first)."
 
The weekend officially closed the season on one of the best seasons in program history for NPWS. Not only did the group win a coveted SUNYAC title and earn just its second berth into the NCAA Tournament but finished with the most overall (15) and conference (8) wins in program history, earning the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage as regular season conference champs for the first time and sent two representatives in Eisert and Franklin to the United Soccer Coaches national convention.
 
Fittingly, it was two senior captains and cornerstones of the program to send off an unforgettable 2024 campaign for the Hawks.
 
"Our parents kept bringing up how it was our last soccer trip of our careers, and it was just such a bittersweet reminder of everything we have been able to accomplish throughout our careers on the New Paltz team," Franklin added. "I cannot imagine a better ending to our season. Rachel and I are both so lucky to have been given this recognition and be able to leave our soccer careers on such a high note."


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