New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York women's lacrosse program announced its incoming class for the upcoming 2026 season Wednesday.
 
The Hawks are coming off their second-straight appearance in the SUNYAC Semifinals in a season where they finished 13-5 and 7-2 in the SUNYAC — the latter being its best regular season conference finish in program history. The regular season was highlighted by its first ever victory over a ranked opponent, taking down then No. 19 Colorado College.
 
The program looks to build off a productive 2024 with the infusion of young talent to bolster an already deep squad. Although the team lost key contributors in starters Kaitlyn Shaw, Morgan Woolley, Francesca Corozzo and Kira Tucker, the six incoming recruits hope to find time on the field as they push the incumbents as the Hawks look to fill the loses left from a coveted senior group.
 
Read more on each incoming Hawk below:

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Kayden Cornell '29
Defense
Schenectady, NY
Colonie Central High School
 
Cornell, a tall, athletic defender from upstate New York, will add to an already stringent defensive unit for the Hawks.
 
A two-sport athlete, also starring for the Hawks women's basketball program, Cornell starred for Colonie Central High School in both sports including three years for the varsity girl's lacrosse team for the Wolfpack.
 
As a member of South Colonie's girls lacrosse team, Cornell helped the program qualify for three consecutive Section 2, Class A playoff runs with the team reaching the semifinals in 2023.
 
Additionally, Cornell received the South Colonie Lacrosse 15forLife Award in her senior year.
 
"I am so excited for Kayden's size and IQ, especially on the defensive end," said SUNY New Paltz coach Randy Vite. "I find that basketball players really shine in our zone defense, and I am really excited to see where she fits in."


Alexandra DiRusso '29
Midfield/Defense
Kings Park, NY
Kings Park High School
Long Island Team 91
 
DiRusso, hailing from Kings Park, NY, played three years on the Kings Park High School girls varsity team.
 
As a member of the Kingsmen's girls lacrosse squad, she helped the team earn a berth into the Section, XI, Class C semifinals this past spring. Her career statistics include four goals and three assists, as she played both in the midfield and on the defensive side of the restraining line.
 
Additionally, DiRusso played club for Long Island Team 91. She will add much needed depth as a two-way midfielder for the Hawks.
 
"I am so excited to have Alex become a New Paltz Hawk," Vite said. "She is a true two-way midfielder who uses her skill and athleticism all over the field. She has a high lacrosse IQ and reads the play so well on offense and defense."


Madelyn Easton '29
Defense
Watervliet, NY
Shaker High School
Albany Power Lacrosse Club
 
Easton, also from the Capital District like Cornell, hails from Watervliet, NY and starred for Shaker High School, while playing club for Albany Power.
 
She lettered for two seasons for the Shaker Bisons and was a key contributor in both even and man-down situations as she, like DiRusso, can play both in the midfield and as a true defender.
Easton helped Shaker to a Section 2, Class A Semifinal appearance in both 2024 and 2025 with last year's squad ranking fifth in Section 2.
 
Easton will work primarily on defense for Vite's program, adding another key piece to an already stacked group.
 
"Maddie is going to be another great addition to the team," Vite said. "She has great instincts, speed, and a nose for the ball. She is quick with a great defensive stick, and I am looking forward to her joining our defensive unit"
 

Samantha Gemmo '29
Midfield
Oceanside, NY
Oceanside High School
Long Island Jesters
 
Gemmo will be another two-sport athlete for the Hawks, joining fellow classmate Cornell, along with senior incumbents Mia Baldinger and Sam Wohlmut.
 
Starring for SUNY New Paltz's women's soccer program in the fall as well, Gemmo looks to make an immediate impact on both programs in her first year.
 
She was a three-year member of the Oceanside girls lacrosse team, though she played only two seasons because of a season ending injury during her junior year. In each of her three seasons, the Sailors qualified for the Nassau County (Section 8), Class A playoffs.
 
In 2025, Gemmo was moved from her natural midfield position to attacker to bulk up the Sailors offense. As her coach Ralph Montero, Jr. stated, "She does everything — defense, offense, she does a little bit of everything for us." 
 
Gemmo responded quickly to the position change, scoring 24 goals, second for Oceanside and led the team in assists with 25, good enough for 22nd place among all players in Nassau County.
 
Gemmo will run as a two-way middie for the Hawks and also has the ability to be at the faceoff X and on the draw circle.
 
"Sam is a dual sport athlete coming in to play soccer and lacrosse," Vite said. "I love my dual sport athletes; they are built different. Sam is such a natural athlete; I am really looking forward to her speed and dodging ability on the attacking end. I also have a feeling she is going to be quick on the draw circle and come up with some huge ground balls."
 

Isabella Klein '29
Defense
Garnerville, NY
North Rockland High School
Metro Lacrosse Club
 
Klein is a long, fast, athletic, rangy defender who fits perfectly into Vite's zone defense.
 
Hailing from Garnerville, NY, Klein played for perennial Section 1 high school program in North Rockland. She lettered for three seasons on the Red Raiders' varsity girls lacrosse program and during her three years, the team went 41-12 and earned a spot in the Section 1, Class A semifinals each of those seasons.
 
Klein also played club for Metro Lacrosse, joining SUNY New Paltz rising sophomore Katie Picarello as a former Metro Lacrosse and North Rockland alum.
 
"I am super excited to have Izzy joining the program," Vite said. "I have known her for a few years now and know that she is going to be a great fit for our program and University. Her natural athleticism, speed and work ethic are going to be a great contribution to the team."
 

Brooke Peters '29
Attack
Carmel, NY
Carmel High School
Lady Ballers Lacrosse Club
 
Peters, the lone true attacker of the class, hopes to fight for some time on the field during her first season with the Hawks as the attack loses just Tucker from their 2025 run.
 
Peters, from Carmel, NY was a three-year starter for the Carmel Rams girls lacrosse program. She helped lead her team to the Section 1, Class A playoffs in back-to-back seasons in both 2024 and 2025.
 
She had a standout senior campaign and was named to the Section 1, Class S girls lacrosse All-Star Second Team. As a junior in 2024, Peters was an honorable mention in USA Lacrosse's High School Girls Player of the Week-Northeast for the week of May 15, 2024.
 
Additionally, Peters played club lacrosse for Lady Ballers Lacrosse Club.
 
"I am so excited for Brooke to join our program," Vite said. "She is a true attacker who has phenomenal stick-work. I know her feeding is going to shine, especially with our team, who can catch and finish really well."



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