Four players from our area have helped make for one of the best seasons in the history of the women’s soccer program at SUNY New Paltz.

The Hawks, who play in the SUNYAC conference, finished the regular season at 13-2-2 and are on an eight-game winning streak. They head into the playoffs as a No. 1 seed for what may be the first time in program history.

The Hawks had a first-round playoff bye and will host the winner between SUNY Fredonia and Buffalo State in the semifinals on Nov. 6.

The four local players—forward Parris Burke (Bellport High School), midfielder Alyssa Deutsch (East Islip) and defenders Sam Wohlmut (Center Moriches) and team captain Hannah Wellinger (Smithtown East)—are among 20 players out of the 27 on the team who are from Long Island.

All four have played important roles in the Hawks’ success, coach Mike Eckberg said.

Burke, a senior, is the “fastest player on the field, very dynamic off the ball and has an intense attacking mentality,” Eckberg said.

Deutsch is “the freshman phenom,” who brings to the game “unbelievable foresight and vision,” Eckberg said. “She’s a very crafty and creative player.”

Wohlmut, a junior, “plays with an undeniable passion,” Eckberg said. “She dedicates herself to making her teammates better every day.”

Wellinger, a junior, and the daughter of Bellport-based Center for Environmental Education and Discovery executive director Sally Wellinger, is “undeniably a rock in our back line,” Eckberg said. “Game in, game out, she gives us confidence.”

Wellinger was named SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Week recently for her role in holding Oneonta to one shot on goal and Oswego to two shots on goal in a pair of New Paltz shutout victories.

Wellinger, Burke and Wohlmut have all been educators at CEED’s summer program.

Eckberg, who has been New Paltz’s head coach since 2017, said his program recruits a lot of players from Long Island, where many players play on competitive club soccer teams, as well as their school teams.