New Paltz, NY —The State University of New York New Paltz field hockey program announced its incoming class for the 2026 season today.

After more than two decades as a perennial power in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) field hockey landscape, the Hawks will begin a new chapter in their storied history, joining the highly competitive New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). New Paltz leaves its mark on SUNYAC field hockey, having appeared in the conference playoffs for 15 consecutive years, with six semifinalist finishes, eight finalist finishes and, six SUNYAC Championships, including four consecutive titles between 2012-2015, as well as six appearances in the NCAA DIII tournament.

Read more about each incoming recruit below:

Kaleigh Benson '30
Forward
Mastic Beach, NY
William Floyd High School
Long Island Field Hockey Club

Kaleigh Benson was a three year starter for the Colonials and in 2025 led them to their first Section XI, Class A playoff berth in over a decade. In the quarterfinal match against Northport, she assisted on the tying goal that sent the game into overtime. As a senior, she scored 10 goals with three assists and was named All Suffolk County Honorable Mention.

In her club soccer career, Benson was named the Long Island Field Hockey U19 MVP in 2026.

Benson was a two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection. She also earned the Coaches Award and Outstanding Academic Achievement Award in her senior year. She also played lacrosse for William Floyd.

Abigail Bozzanca '30
Midfield
Port Jefferson Station, NY
Comsewogue High School
East End Field Hockey Club

Abigail Bozzanca played three years of varsity field hockey for the Spartans, starting her junior and senior years. She served as team captain in her senior year. In her senior year she scored five goals with seven assists, landing her among the top assist leaders on Long Island.

She earned Section XI, Class AA All Classification honors in her junior and senior years. She was also invited to the Surf & Sand Showcase, one of the premier collegiate recruiting and tournament events on the East Coast.

Bozzanca earned NFHCA National Academic Squad honors in both her junior and senior years at Comsewogue High School.

Kate Comiskey '30
Goalie
East Patchogue, NY
Patchogue-Medford High School
East End Field Hockey Club

Kate Comiskey was the starting goalie for the Raiders for all four years and was also team captain for three years. She was described as the "brick wall" of Section XI field hockey for her outstanding play between the pipes during her high school career.

Comiskey earned All NYS and All Long Island honors; she was named Suffolk County Goalie of the Year in 2025; she was a three time All Suffolk County 1st Team pick; was named to Newsday's Top 50 Long Island Field Hockey Players in both her junior and senior years; as a first-year player was selected Section XI All Division. She was ranked among the top goalies for all of Long Island for each of her four years and scored an elite 90% save mark as a sophomore, allowing only 10 goals in 14 games. She graduated with a career total of 400 saves.

Equally adept in the classroom, Comiskey was a member of the National Honor Society and a two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection.

Ashley Miller '30
Midfield-Defense
Farmingville, NY
Sachem High School East
Strong Island Field Hockey

Ashley Miller was one of the mainstays of one of New York's top high school field hockey programs. She was a four year starter for the Flaming Arrows and led them to two straight Section XI, Class A titles, two straight Long Island Class A championships and two straight NYSPHSAA Class A semifinal appearances.

Sachem North was undefeated in regular season play for three consecutive years; Miller's high school career ended with a 64-6 record. Her career statistics include eight goals and nine assists. She was named to the 2025 Newsday Top 50 Long Island Field Hockey Players roster and was a two-time all Suffolk County Class A selection.

Academically, Miller was a two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection and was a High Honor Roll student at Sachem High School East. Miller also was a member of the Flaming Arrows girls lacrosse team.

Caydence Parker '30
Midfield-Defense
Suffolk, VA
Nansemond River High School
Focus Field Hockey

Caydence Parker has been playing field hockey since she was three years old. At Nansemond River High School she was a four year starting player and was team captain as a senior.

She was named Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 5 Field Hockey Player of the Year as a senior. She was a two time VHSL all state selection; a three time VHSL Class 5 All Region pick and a two time All Tidewater honoree. Parker helped lead the Warriors to four consecutive VHSL Region 5 championships and into the VHSL state championships in 2024 and 2025, with the 2024 team winning the VHSL state championship. Parker's career statistics include 45 goals, 21 assists and five defensive saves.

Outside of field hockey, Parker carried a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career; was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club. She participated in the Project Lead the Way Engineering Program as well. She was a volunteer coach for the local girls field hockey league and enjoys fishing and working on the family farm.

Morgan Quirk '30
Midfield
Lake Grove, NY
Sachem High School North
East End Field Hockey Club

Morgan Quirk was a five year starter for Sachem North and helped lead the Flaming Arrows to three Section XI, Division I playoff berths during her career. She was a two-time Newsday Top 50 Long Island Field Hockey Player selection and earned All Suffolk County and All Classification honors during her career.

Quirk earned two straight picks to the NFHCA National Academic Squad. She also was a four year member of the spring track team and was named captain in her senior year.

Katie Sauve '30
Midfield
Wappingers Falls, NY
Roy C. Ketcham High School
Falcon Field Hockey Club

Katie Sauve has been a varsity field hockey player for Roy C. Ketcham High School for five years, starting at midfield for four years, serving as captain in her senior year. During that time she helped lead the Storm to four Section I, Class A playoff appearances.

Suave was a two-time All New York State honoree and was a four-time Section I pick, twice first team and twice honorable mention. She was named All League four consecutive seasons. She was a four-time Poughkeepsie Journal All Star, three times on the first team, once at honorable mention. She was named to the Poughkeepsie Journal's preseason Elite 11 three times and was a two-time LoHud preseason Watch List of Top Section I Players selection.

Sauve was named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad in 2025 and won the NFHCA 2026 High School Impact Award.

Emily Sepcura '30
Forward
New Hyde Park, NY
New Hyde Park Memorial High School
East End Field Hockey

Emily Sepcura was a three year starter and was named captain in her senior year for the New Hyde Park Memorial Gladiators. In 2023 she helped lead the Gladiators to an undefeated conference season, winning the Section VIII, Class C/Nassau County championship as well as sectional playoff berths twice more.

Sepcura was named to Newsday's Top 50 Long Island Field Hockey Players short list as a senior, and listed as one of the top three players of the Long Island region. She twice earned All Nassau County honors (first team and honorable mention) and was named to the Nassau County Senior All Star Game. Her career statistics include 30 goals and 21 assists; as a senior she was listed as ninth in total points and sixth in assists for Long Island.

She was named a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete in her junior and senior years. As a junior and senior she also participated as a member of the Gladiators' girls basketball team.