NEW PALTZ, NY — Head Coach James Seward (Siena, ’01) begins his first season with the Hawks, who are coming off a 10-16 campaign that saw SUNY New Paltz qualify for the SUNYAC tournament for the first time since 2003-04. Seward is excited about the depth of the team as New Paltz returns seven players to the roster. The core includes three seniors and four juniors who all averaged between 11 and 35 minutes played last year.
Junior Amber Sohns (Delhi/Delaware Academy) led the team in 2005-06 netting 8.8 points and 5.5 boards per game, averaging 29.7 minutes of play as she started all 26 games. Senior outside shooter Kerri Kelty (Valley Stream) has made the transition from the soccer field to the basketball court, seamlessly. Kelty collected 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in her starting role and averaged 35.8 minutes of playing time. Kelty finished the year with 51 steals, 35 in the conference, which ranked her fifth in the league.
Kristin Jackson (East Islip) led the team in free throw and three point percentage shooting 81.1% and 39.1%, respectively. Jackson saw action in all 26 games, averaging 6.3 points and 3.1 boards for the Hawks.
In the backcourt, New Paltz will need consistent scoring from senior Jenny Driscoll (Staten Island/Notre Dame Academy) who is a threat from beyond the three point line. Driscoll averaged 20 minutes of play last season and collected 5.7 points per contest. Junior ToniMarie Caserta (Levittown/MacArthur) saw action in 25 games last season averaging 11.6 minutes of court time, collecting 4.1 points an outing.
Sarah Salvo (Manorville/Eastport Southmanor) is the energy of the team providing skills on both ends of the court, while forward Christine Trupiano (Massapequa) will be looked upon to increase her offensive production of 4.3 points per game and 3.5 boards.
The team boasts seven newcomers led by forwards Chelsea Clarke (Ithaca/Lansing), Kristin Sitek (Ellington, CT/Ellington) and Carly Minehan (Albany) who will be looked upon to improve the inside game of the Hawks. Seward is encouraged by the play of 5’6” guard Maggie Farrell (Hillsdale/Immaculate) who is an all around athlete with good agility.
Kristen Caban (Staten Island/St. Joseph Hill Academy), Abbey DeRossi (Albany), and Nicole Sarcone (Staten Island/Notre Dame Academy) round out the roster for SUNY New Paltz.
The Hawks being their season on the road on Friday, November 17th, taking on York College at the blank tournament. The will host their home opener on Friday Dec. 1st against the Fredonia Blue Devils at 6 p.m.
