NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – In 2009, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's soccer team lost its first four conference games after starting the season out 4-1-1. Using last year's showing in conference action as motivation, the Hawks expect to make some noise in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in 2010.

Helmed by fourth-year head coach Eric Watson, New Paltz loses just one starter from its 2009 squad and brings back two All-SUNYAC selections.

"Our key this year is depth," Watson said. "We're very deep at every position. If the guys can buy in both collectively and individually, we'll be successful. We had so many guys have great springs, and we have a quality group of incoming players that will compete for starting time."

With an experienced and talented squad, Watson believes that the Hawks will be able to pressure the opposition on the attack.

"We will employ an attacking style but will also defend collectively," Watson said. "Our guys will use their quickness to get forward to the attacking players."

Two returning goalkeepers, senior

(Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and junior captain Tommy Garafola (Richmond Hill, N.Y.) headline this contingent. Emberger's talents, which don't often translate well into the box score, are a welcome complement to the Hawk attack, while Garafola, a two-time All-SUNYAC honoree, uses his veteran leadership and experience to inspire the rest of the team. Senior Frank Tloczkowski (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and juniors Michael Santalesa (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and Brendan Ujvary (Kings Park, N.Y.) all have logged significant minutes on the pitch as well and seek to fortify the midfield. In addition, freshman Max Kornstein (Glenmont, N.Y.) aspires to challenge for time. 

Junior Jimmy Altadonna (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) will once again be the go-to option up top in conjunction with senior Dave Gardiner (Malta, N.Y.). Altadonna buried a team-high 11 goals last year, while Gardiner tied for the second-highest total with four. Expect both to use their intuition and scoring ability to frustrate opposing defenses. Senior Michael Ackerman (Castleton, N.Y.), juniors Evan Martel (West Sayville, N.Y.) and Jamal Lis-Simmons (Highland, N.Y.), sophomore Harrison Lane (Glenmont, N.Y.) and freshmen Ben Quinn (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Robert Vandy (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) fill out the remainder of this potent group of scorers.

A challenging 2010 slate awaits, as Watson's Hawks face 11 teams that posted records at or above .500 in 2009, including four that have qualified for the national semifinals in the past decade. New Paltz opens its season at home on Sept. 1 against King's (Pa.) College before challenging the Stevens Institute of Technology on its home pitch on Sept. 4. After a road contest against Farleigh Dickinson-The College at Florham, the Hawks entertain Bard College, Vassar College and Williams College on Alumni Field before commencing its conference slate.

"Last year, we fared extremely well against non-conference competition," Watson said. "We need to find a way to carry that momentum into conference play this year."

New Paltz opens its SUNYAC schedule with three consecutive home contests before taking to the road for six straight games, two of which are against non-conference opponents. The Hawks finish their stretch run of conference play at home, taking on SUNY Oswego and SUNY Cortland before concluding the regular season against the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Should the team excel in the conference, a potential berth into the SUNYAC Tournament awaits.

The Hawks aim to use their all-around experience to help elevate the program to new heights this season.

"We are very experienced going forward," Watson said. "Having so many juniors and seniors on the team definitely makes life simple. We're experienced at defense and in the midfield and have proven scorers who can make a difference."