New Paltz men's soccer poised for breakout season

Seen here in its home opener against SUNY Cobleskill, the New Paltz men's soccer team has shown drastic improvement from last season.  Photo by Doron Tyler Antrim.

There is dramatic and exciting change occurring within the New Paltz men's soccer program.  The Hawks have won three of the six games they've played thus far this season, matching their win total from 2007.  The team has already scored 15 goals; one more than they scored all of last season.

Second-year head coach, Eric Watson, found depth to be a critical problem with last year's team.  "We had a handful of players that were very good, we just didn't have the depth we needed to be successful in the long run," he said, reflecting on his squad that finished eight in the SUNYAC conference with a 3-6-2 record.  "We needed some attacking players," he added.

Watson has proven an able recruiter, bringing in fourteen new players, four of which have earned starting roles this season.  "My job was to try and get a player that could come in and impact right away in almost every position," said Watson.  

Sophomore forward, Joe Rose, praised his coach's recruiting efforts.  "He did a good job recruiting all these freshmen," said Rose.  "The freshmen are definitely helping the team a lot," he added.  "They bring a lot of talent."  

One first-year player who's receiving worthy attention is James Altadonna.  Known by his coaches and teammates as Jimmy, the forward has been an unstoppable offensive force for the Hawks, scoring eight of the team's fifteen goals thus far this season.  In the Hawks' first game this fall at the Adidas Kick-Off Classic, hosted by Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, Altadonna netted all four New Paltz goals in its victory over Western New England College.  No one on the 2007 team found the back of the net until the seventh contest.  

"I knew coming in that he could be very good," stated Watson, referring to Altadonna.  "I didn't know he'd get off to this kind of start.  But he is a very good goal scorer."  Watson remarked that Jimmy has spread the defenses of opponents, opening up the field for his teammates.  "Jimmy does draw a lot of attention and it's opened up some space for some other players."  He added, "We've been able to get goals from lots of other players which is good."  The six goals that haven't been scored by Altadonna have been spread amongst five other players.

Coach Watson points out that Altadonna and the other freshmen are not the only reason the team has found success early this season.  The sophomores and upperclassmen have improved themselves in the off-season.  "They've gotten stronger, they've gotten better on the ball, they've gotten more fit," said Watson.  "Everyone's raised their level."  

New Paltz hopes to carry their early success to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, September 16, as they travel to face undefeated King's College.  The Hawks' first game of SUNYAC Conference competition is on Saturday, September 20, when they play host to Cortland.  The game begins at 1:00 p.m. at Alumni Field.