New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz men's soccer program announced its incoming class for the 2025 season Monday.
 
The Hawks are coming off one of their best seasons as of late, earning a spot in the semifinal round of the SUNYAC Tournament after capturing their first postseason victory since 2012 with an extra time, penalties victory on the road over Plattsburgh.
 
The strong 2024 outing came on the heels of a talented 2024 freshmen class and after losing six seniors to graduation, SUNY New Paltz hopes its four incoming freshmen and two junior transfers can make the same impact last year's class did in their final pursuit of a SUNYAC title.
 
Read more about each incoming Hawk below:

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Sky Attard '29
Midfield
New York, NY
Brandeis Campus-Frank McCourt High School
Manhattan Soccer club ECNL
Favorite Team: Liverpool
 
Attard was a four-year varsity player on the combined Louis Brandeis Campus high school soccer team, and played club for Manhattan Soccer Club ECNL, as he will solidify the midfield for the Hawks.
 
Attard's varsity career statistics include 33 games played with 28 goals and 10 assists. While at SUNY New Paltz, Attard plans to major in business.
 
"The reason I chose New Paltz was because I wasn't too far from home," said the New York City native. "I really liked the campus and the environment, so I already knew what my choice was for the next four years."
 




Declan Bain '29
Midfield
Malta, NY
Ballston Spa High School 
New York Elite Alleycats FC
Favorite Team: Arsenal
 
Bain played four years of varsity soccer for the Scotties and was named team captain in his senior year. He led Ballston Spa in goals and assists during its 2024-25 campaign.
 
In his senior season he was named Suburban Council First Team and Section 2 First Team, in addition to being named to the Times Union Large Schools First Team. He was named to the Suburban Council Second Team in 2023-24.  
 
The Malta, NY native played club for New York Elite Alleycats FC and will look to find time in SUNY New Paltz's midfield.
 
Soccer runs deep in the Bain family; his father Jon is the boys varsity coach at Shenendehowa High School and also the U15 boys head coach with the New York Alleycats FC.
 
Bain attends to major in Mechanical Engineering while at SUNY New Paltz.
 
"The reason I chose SUNY New Paltz was because of the undergraduate research opportunities," said Bain, "As well as the strong coaching staff and quality alumni network you get at such an affordable price."



Owen Joyce '29
Midfield/Defense
Oceanside, NY
Oceanside High School
Met Oval MLS Next
Favorite Team: Liverpool
 
Joyce has played club soccer through the Met Oval Academy-MLS Next throughout his high school years, playing both on defense and in the midfield throughout his career.
 
Along with starting on the Sailors varsity soccer team, the Oceanside, NY native was a member of the Oceanside High School boys indoor track team during his junior and senior years, participating in the 55-meter dash, 300, 600- and 1,000-meter events, along with the mile run. 
 
Joyce intends to major in finance while at SUNY New Paltz.
 
"The appeal of high-level athletics and academics, along with a team culture that seems to help student-athletes grow and strive not only as players, but people too," said Joyce of his decision to choose SUNY New Paltz.
 

David Lamour '27
Defense
Valley Stream, NY
George W. Hewlett High School
Nassau Community College Transfer
SUSA FC Albertson
Favorite Team: Liverpool
 
An outstanding defensive player who played for nationally ranked Nassau Community College, Lamour joins the Hawks with two seasons of eligibility left to solidify the program's backline.
 
As a first-year player for the Lions, he started 13 of 21 games as the team (17-2-2) captured the 2023 NJCAA Region XV and North Atlantic District Championships and a semifinal appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. For his play, he earned NJCAA Region XV Second Team honors.  
 
As a second year player, Lamour started all 21 games for Nassau (15-3-2) and was an integral part of the nationally ranked Lions defense that limited opponents to 13 goals in 20 games, a 0.68 goals per game percentage and 11 shutouts, including three straight shutouts to capture the 2024 NJCAA Region XV championship and a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament, where the Lions fell in the semifinals.  He was named to the NJCAA National All-Tournament team. 
 
In his career at Nassau, Lamour started 33 of 41 games with a total of 1,147 minutes of playing time. He also contributed four goals and seven assists.
 
Lamour was a two-year starter at George W. Hewlett High School, twice being named to the All-Nassau County Class A First Team. He helped lead the Bulldogs to two consecutive appearances in the Nassau County Class A playoffs and finished his scholastic career with eight goals and two assists.

"I chose New Paltz because it felt like the right fit — academically, athletically and personally," Lamour said. "It stood out to me as a place where I could really grow. The coaching staff believes in their players, and I saw a real opportunity to be a part of something special and do big things here."
 
Lamour will major in Entrepreneurship while at SUNY New Paltz. His favorite club team is Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk is his favorite player.
 

Nicolai Peralta '27
Defense
Clermont, FL
East Ridge High School
Nassau Community College Transfer
Favorite Team: FC Barcelona
 
Another Nassau Community College transfer, Peralta worked alongside teammate David Lamour in helping the Lions to a two Region XV titles and back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA National Championship semifinals.
 
The Clermont, Florida native was the linchpin of Nassau Community College's stingy defense for his two seasons with the Lions. Nassau ranked in the top five of NJCAA DIII in each of Peralta's two seasons, compiled a 35-5-4 overall record and a 21-0-3 NJCAA Region XV record in that span. The Lions were exceptional defensively; in 41 overall games, Nassau conceded 33 goals for a 0.80 goals-allowed-percentage.  
 
Peralta was a defensive stalwart for the Lions, starting 40 of 41 games with 1,618 minutes of playing time and was a two time All Region XV First Team selection. In his final year at Nassau, he earned NJCAA DIII All-American First Team honors. His offensive output includes one goal and five assists.
 
Peralta will provide the Hawks a much-needed boost defensively after the team lost two All-SUNYAC selects from their backline from last season.
 
While at SUNY New Paltz, Peralta plans on majoring in Communication Studies.  
 
"I chose to join SUNY New Paltz because it offers a great balance between strong academics and a competitive soccer program," Peralta said. "The school provides the supportive environment where I can pursue my academic interests while continuing to play the sport I love.
 
"The team focuses on hard work, and the collaboration fits well with my own values, and I'm excited to grow as both a player and a student. SUNY New Paltz's coaching staff and excellent resources will help me succeed on and off the field, making an ideal place for my college experience. Let's go Hawks."
 

Leo Steiner '29
Defense
Oradell, NJ
St. Joseph Regional High School
World Class FC
Favorite Team: Bayern Munich
 
Leo Steiner was a three-year varsity player playing defense for the Green Knights. His career statistics include eight goals and six assists.
 
Playing his club soccer with World Class FC, Steiner earned ECNL Northeast All-Conference Second Team honors in 2021-22.
 
The Oradell, NJ native will fill in at a needed positional piece, as the Hawks lost five from their defensive unit from last season including their two starting center backs in graduate students Alberto Molina and Owen McGarrity.
 
Steiner plans on studying Mechanical Engineering while at SUNY New Paltz.
 
"I chose New Paltz because of the people within the soccer program and how welcoming they were when I visited," Steiner said. "I could tell how driven everyone on the team is and I look forward to competing with them this upcoming season."
 

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