By: Monica D’Ippolito, Athletic Communications Director
CORTLAND, N.Y. — SUNY New Paltz sophomore Ciara Devlin earned Third-team All State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) honors at the conference’s annual women’s soccer awards Tuesday.
Devlin is the first Hawk since Kristina Gandolfo in 2014 to earn All-SUNYAC recognition.Devlin was a steady part of a revamped defensive unit for SUNY New Paltz.
“I think it is a small step forward in a very positive direction for our program, and I am very excited for Ciara to get recognized, but she represents the entire back line who we are confident in day-in and day-out,” said Hawks coach Mike Eckberg. “In training and in games, they are a group that has done very well throughout the year and we are very excited with their continuing direction with returning everybody.”
Devlin was a big part of a much-improved defense for SUNY New Paltz (4-11-2), which allowed just 132 shots on goal, 40 fewer than in 2018 with the team averaging four fewer shots per game than last season as well. She was just one of four players to start all 17 games for the Hawks, playing 1,560 minutes, the second-most on the team after goalkeeper Megan Tornatore. During her sophomore run, Devlin recorded two shots on net with one assist, which came in a 2-1 win against Bard College on Sept. 18. One of her best performances in conference play came on the road in two tight contests against SUNY Geneseo and Plattsburgh State. Both games came down to the wire, with the Hawks finishing 1-0 against two playoff-caliber programs: the two-time defending SUNYAC champion Knights and the Cardinals.
“I think she stood out particularly well in conference against Geneseo, as well as Plattsburgh,” Eckberg said. “Those were two key games that could have gone either way and she showcased her ability to be able to defend toe-to-toe with some of the best attacking players in our conference.”
To read the full SUNYAC All-Conference team, click here.
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks
To read the original article, check out this link! https://nphawks.com/news/2019/11/13/suny-new-paltz-mens-soccer-junior-midfielder-kevin-doorley-earns-second-straight-first-team-all-sunyac-nod.aspx