NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's soccer team landed five Hawks on the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Soccer All-Conference Team, capping off a strong inaugural season in the conference.
Senior captain Erin Savarese and first-year defender Zoey Manzo highlighted the selections, each earning Second Team recognition. Samantha Gemmo, Abby Macleod and Kara Jahrsdoerfer rounded out the honors, earning Honorable Mention accolades.
Under first-year head coach Brad Bolton, the Hawks put together a strong inaugural NJAC campaign, compiling an 8-7-1 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.
Savarese enjoyed a strong senior campaign, starting 15 of 16 matches in the midfield. The Holbrook native found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career, netting the game-winner against NJAC opponent Rutgers-Newark. She added another goal in a conference triumph over William Paterson to finish with four points on the season. A steady presence and leader for the young Hawks squad, Savarese played an integral role on both sides of the ball, providing composure, experience and consistency in the midfield.
Manzo made an immediate impact in her debut collegiate season, starting all 16 matches and playing every available minute. The first-year standout quickly established herself as a cornerstone of the Hawks' backline, consistently matching up against opposing teams' top attacking threats while providing a commanding presence in central defense. Her composure on the ball, distribution out of the back, and awareness across the pitch played an integral role in initiating offensive opportunities. Manzo also demonstrated her versatility in possession, connecting passes through the midfield and helping SUNY New Paltz transition into the attacking third.
Gemmo served as a dynamic piece of the Hawks' attack, consistently creating opportunities along the flank while pushing the pace throughout the season. A creative presence on the ball, the Oceanside native showcased her playmaking ability, tying for second on the team with three assists. Gemmo also registered two goals on the year, both coming in the Hawks' historic first NJAC victory over Kean, helping propel SUNY New Paltz to a 3-2 conference triumph.
Macleod emerged as one of the Hawks' most dangerous attacking threats, leading the squad with 15 points on a career-best seven goals and one assist. The junior captain started all 16 contests, finding the back of the net in seven different matches, including a stretch of three consecutive games early in the season. A constant threat in the attacking third, Macleod kept opposing backlines on their heels with her ability to create scoring opportunities, find space in dangerous areas and capitalize on chances in front of goal. Her attacking instincts and relentless pursuit of the net made her a focal point of the SUNY New Paltz offense throughout the season. Macleod also recorded two game-winning goals during her breakout campaign, earning Honorable Mention recognition for her offensive production and leadership.
Jahrsdoerfer rounded out the All-Conference selections with an Honorable Mention nod following a consistent campaign along the backline. The junior defender regularly shut down opposing attacks on her flank while displaying her two-way ability, helping initiate offensive opportunities with precise distribution. Jahrsdoerfer finished the season with a career-best three assists, highlighted by a two-assist performance in the Hawks' home victory over Kean. She started all 16 contests and established a new career high with 1,270 minutes played, solidifying her role as a dependable presence in the SUNY New Paltz defense.
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