NEW PALTZ — The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team has never shied away from playing the top teams in the country and this year is no exception. The Hawks take on arguably their toughest schedule in recent memory facing five teams that competed in the 2001 NCAA Division III Tournament, including defending National Champion Richard Stockton, on September 11th. Despite the stiff competition, Head Coach Stuart Robinson is very optimistic about the upcoming year. “Last season, we played a difficult schedule and came away with a 7-11 record while playing the entire year with injuries to key members of the team,” said Robinson. “This year we’re a bit more experienced and stronger at every position.”
The Hawks return a solid core of experienced players from a year ago. Senior Tim Van Wyen (Sayville, NY) will anchor the defense once again this season as the team’s starting sweeper. Van Wyen earned second team All-SUNYAC for the second straight year.
Junior Mario Lavacca (Port Jefferson, NY) returns after leading the team in scoring (9 goals, 3 assists, 21 points) last season despite missing half of the year due to injury. Lavacca was an all-region and a second team All-SUNYAC selection last season.
In goal, Kevin Smith (Niskayuna, NY) looks to make his final campaign his most successful. A first team All-SUNYAC selection as a freshman, Smith single-handedly kept the Hawks in several matches with his play.
“Without question, the keys to our season are Van Wyen, Lavacca, and Smith,” Robinson added. “If they play at the level they’re capable of, and lead this team, the rest of the squad will follow and we’ll be in great shape.”
This year’s New Paltz squad also features several newcomers that will make an immediate impact. Junior transfer Chris Leslie (Wallkill, NY) and freshman Ryan Kunker (Clifton Park, NY) will be looked upon to solidify defensive and midfield positions. “We’re fortunate to have newcomers like Chris and Ryan to join our veterans. They’re intelligent players and come from successful programs,” said Robinson.
The men’s team got a leg up on their competition in the pre- season with an 11-day trip to Europe for several friendly matches against professional and semi-professional teams from the Netherlands and Belgium. SUNY New Paltz played four games against first and second Division club teams from the Netherlands and competed in the prestigious Star Cup in Holland, where the Hawks faced Roda JC, a Dutch Premier League team, Lommel SC, a Belgian First Division club, and scrimmaged Division I Rhode Island.
Coach Robinson feels that playing the best will legitimize the men’s soccer program at SUNY New Paltz. “If you want to be respected as a soccer team, you have to go out and play the best teams out there rather than hide from them.”
