NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team has punched its ticket to the 2026 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Soccer Championship Tournament, beginning with the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Under first-year head coach Brad Bolton, the Hawks put together a strong inaugural NJAC campaign, compiling an 8-6-1 overall record and a 4-4-1 mark in conference play. SUNY New Paltz was particularly effective on its home turf, posting a 6-2 record highlighted by one of the season's most memorable victories, a 1-0 upset of No. 16 William Smith on South Turf Sept. 19.
The Hawks earned their first conference victory with a 3-2 home triumph over Kean University, marking an early milestone in their new conference era.
Junior captain Abby Macleod has spearheaded the Hawks' offensive efforts, leading the team with seven goals and one assist for a team-high 15 points. Senior Grace Norelius has also reached double-digit points, contributing three goals and a team-leading four assists. Samantha Gemmo has provided another attacking threat with two goals and three assists, while defender Kara Jahrsdoerfer has showcased her two-way versatility, registering three assists from the back line.
Defensively, junior goalkeeper Jess Centeri has anchored the Hawks throughout the campaign, totaling 74 saves with an .820 save percentage while recording eight shutouts.
SUNY New Paltz has also garnered recognition across the conference with several NJAC weekly honors. Macleod was named Offensive Player of the Week, while Centeri earned Defensive Player of the Week honors during the same reporting period. First-year defender Zoey Manzo added to the Hawks' accolades as the reigning NJAC Rookie of the Week.
The Hawks officially secured their postseason berth last Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Stockton, powered by junior captain Alyssa Deutsch's decisive goal. The result propelled SUNY New Paltz into the tournament field as the No. 5 seed, setting up an immediate rematch with the fourth-seeded Ospreys.
SUNY New Paltz will travel to Stockton on Saturday, Oct. 31, for a 2 p.m. quarterfinal matchup, looking to replicate its regular-season success against the Ospreys and advance to the conference semifinals.
Undefeated Rowan earned the tournament's top seed, while nationally ranked TCNJ secured the No. 2 seed, with both programs receiving first-round byes. Third-seeded Montclair State will host No. 6 Rutgers-Camden in the other quarterfinal contest.
The winner of the Montclair State–Rutgers-Camden matchup will advance to face TCNJ in the semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the winner of SUNY New Paltz–Stockton will travel to top-seeded Rowan for a 6 p.m. semifinal contest that same evening.
Tickets for the NJAC Tournament are available exclusively online. For additional information, visit njacsports.com.
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