GALLOWAY, NJ – The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team saw its historic inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) campaign come to a heartbreaking conclusion Saturday afternoon, falling to host Stockton University, 1-0, in the conference tournament quarterfinals at G. Larry James Stadium.
The fifth-seeded Hawks (8-7-1 overall, 4-4-1 NJAC) battled the fourth-seeded Ospreys through more than 83 minutes of scoreless action, with junior goalkeeper Jess Centeri delivering six saves to keep SUNY New Paltz within striking distance. However, Stockton broke through in the closing minutes, scoring the decisive goal at the 83:33 mark to advance to the conference semifinals.
The matchup marked the second meeting between the two programs in just over a week, as SUNY New Paltz previously defeated Stockton, 1-0, during the regular season to clinch its first NJAC Tournament berth.
Stockton established an early offensive presence, controlling much of the possession in the attacking third while limiting the Hawks' opportunities through the opening 45 minutes.
The Ospreys generated their first shot on goal in the 12th minute, as Ryleigh White tested Centeri with an attempt toward the upper-right corner. The Hawks' goalkeeper was positioned to make the stop, keeping the contest scoreless.
Stockton continued to apply pressure, with Makayla Jaffe generating consecutive opportunities in the 18th and 20th minutes. Centeri denied both attempts, turning away shots directed toward the center and upper-right portions of the goal.
The Hawks' defensive unit continued to withstand the pressure, with Jess Avila, Zoey Manzo, Kara Jahrsdoerfer and the SUNY New Paltz back line working to limit the Ospreys' opportunities despite Stockton controlling the attacking momentum.
Jaffe generated another opportunity in the 42nd minute, but Centeri was there once again to deny the attempt. Less than two minutes later, White fired a shot toward the bottom-right corner, forcing another save from the Hawks' goalkeeper.
Centeri finished the opening half with five saves, preserving the scoreless deadlock despite Stockton holding a 7-0 advantage in shots through the first 45 minutes.
SUNY New Paltz emerged from halftime with renewed offensive urgency, generating its first scoring opportunity less than three minutes into the second period. Samantha Gemmo fired an attempt wide of the target in the 48th minute before Abby Macleod forced Stockton goalkeeper Tori Vliet into her first save of the afternoon just over a minute later.
The Ospreys responded with opportunities of their own, but Centeri remained sharp, denying Grace Mitchell's attempt in the 52nd minute to record her sixth save of the contest.
The Hawks continued searching for the breakthrough as the second half progressed. In the 77th minute, Sole O'Hara generated SUNY New Paltz's second shot on goal, but Vliet made the stop to preserve the scoreless tie.
With less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, Grace Norelius sent an attempt wide in the 83rd minute as SUNY New Paltz continued pressing for the go-ahead goal.
Moments later, Stockton capitalized on a corner kick opportunity. Erin Lally headed the initial service into the penalty area, where Mia Caruso redirected the ball toward Erica Vazquez. Vazquez finished the sequence with a shot into the upper portion of the net at the 83:33 mark, giving the Ospreys a 1-0 advantage with just over six minutes remaining.
SUNY New Paltz attempted to respond in the closing minutes, earning a corner kick in the 86th minute before Gemmo generated one final opportunity in the 88th. However, her attempt sailed wide, allowing Stockton to preserve the one-goal advantage through the final whistle.
The Ospreys finished with an 11-5 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal. Centeri played all 90 minutes in net, recording six saves, while Macleod and O'Hara each registered a shot on target. Gemmo led the Hawks with two attempts.
Despite the result, SUNY New Paltz concludes a memorable 2026 campaign under first-year head coach Brad Bolton, highlighted by the program's first NJAC Tournament appearance in its inaugural season as a conference member.
The Hawks also recorded a historic 1-0 victory over nationally ranked No. 16 William Smith earlier in the season, marking the program's first regular-season victory over a nationally ranked opponent.
SUNY New Paltz earned conference recognition throughout the fall, with Macleod collecting NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Centeri earning NJAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition and Manzo becoming the program's first NJAC Rookie of the Week selection.
The Hawks finish the season at 8-7-1 overall, having established a foundation for continued growth in one of Division III's competitive women's soccer conferences.
******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.
