New Paltz, NY — After seven seasons, SUNYAC Coach of the Year Mike Eckberg has stepped down as the head coach for the women's soccer program.
 
Eckberg, who was hired ahead of the 2017 season, turned the Hawks into a top-tier program within the SUNYAC, culminating in the team's first SUNYAC title since 2011 last fall, as SUNY New Paltz earned its best conference finish in program history.
 
"We are extremely thankful to Mike for building a solid foundation within our women's soccer program," said SUNY New Paltz Director of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation Renee Bostic. "We wish him nothing but success in the future, as we move forward, we're looking for someone who is going to build upon our solid foundation and take us to new heights."  
Prior to Eckberg's arrival, the Hawks women's soccer program had won only nine games within the SUNYAC since winning it all in 2011, going 27-50-13 overall in that span, including a one-win season in 2016. Although Eckberg's first three seasons showed improvement on the field, the record didn't reflect until the 2021 season with a coveted class that would go on and become the winningest in program history. From 2021-24 the team went 41-12-9, including 23-4-4 in the SUNYAC while finishing last year with a program-best record of 8-0-1. The success last season allowed the Hawks to garner the No. 1 seed and hosting duties for the first time in program history. The team would go on to win the conference title and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with Eckberg named SUNYAC Coach of the Year.
 
Maybe more importantly, Eckberg's impact was felt in the high-character student-athletes he recruited into the program. Rachel Eisert, in her four-year tenure, left as the most decorated. The forward was named the first two-time United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American and second ever US Soccer Coaches and D3Soccer.com All-American, along with being the first two-time SUNYAC Player of the Year and three-time All-Region III select. Eckberg coached both Eisert and senior goalkeeper Maddie Franklin to USC Scholar All-America honors in 2024.
 
Franklin was also named as the program's first SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year this past season with the team recording a program most nine SUNYAC selections and six named to the first team. Brooke Kelleher was also named as the program's first SUNYAC Rookie of the Year following the 2022 season with the team earning back-to-back trips to the postseason during that campaign for the first time since 2011-12. The Hawks have since then earned four-straight berths into the SUNYAC Tournament — the longest streak in program history.
 
Under Eckberg's tutelage, the team has been a standout in the classroom as well. This past year, women's soccer boasted 21 selections onto the SUNYAC Commissioner's List, the most of any program, with an overall team GPA of 3.48, the highest in the Department.
 
Additionally, this past year senior forward and SAAC president Gaby Treble was named as a SUNY New Paltz Student Affairs Distinguished Senior Award. Treble, alongside countless others within the program throughout the last eight years, have all been heavily involved in all facets of the department.
 
Although the Hawks graduated seven key members from last year's squad, they return a talented roster headlined by a large graduating class of 10, which also includes four All-SUNYAC picks.
 
The SUNY New Paltz Department of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation is currently conducting a national search for the vacant position.
 


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