New Paltz, NY – The SUNY New Paltz men's soccer team was selected fifth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preseason Poll, announced by the conference office Wednesday morning.
The Hawks enter their first season competing in the NJAC with expectations of making an immediate impact, as they were also tabbed as the conference's dark horse. The top six teams in the regular-season standings will earn a spot in the NJAC Championship, with the tournament champion receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
New Paltz put together a stellar 2025 campaign, eclipsing 10 wins for the first time since 2021 while finishing the year unbeaten away from home with a 5-0-2 road record. The Hawks added five victories at home and compiled a 5-2-2 mark in their final season of SUNYAC play before falling to eventual champion SUNY Oneonta in the conference quarterfinal round.
The Hawks will look to senior defender Samuel Snider (Oceanside) who was selected as New Paltz's Player to Watch. The reliable senior captain was a fixture along the Hawks' backline throughout the 2025 season, starting all 17 contests while leading the team in minutes played with more than 1,420 on the pitch. Snider also tallied an assist and earned the first all-conference honor of his career after being named Third-Team All-SUNYAC.
Defending NJAC champion Rowan claimed the top spot in the preseason poll after receiving six first-place votes, with the Profs entering the season ranked No. 12 nationally. Reigning regular-season champion Montclair State earned three first-place votes and was selected second, while Kean received the remaining first-place vote.
New Paltz opens its 2026 campaign on the road against St. Joseph's University Long Island on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 3:30 p.m. The Hawks will make their NJAC debut at Montclair State on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m.
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