SUNY Ulster enjoys big year
Resurrected program closes out season with winning record, berth in regionals
STONE RIDGE, N.Y. >> SUNY Ulster coach Gerardo Martinez’s rebuild of the college’s women’s soccer program took a major step forward in 2022.
Martinez joined SUNY Ulster in 2019 and was asked to build a program that had been dormant since 2009. He fielded a team last season and the Senators finished with a 3-6 mark.
In 2022, the hard work of Martinez and his players paid off with a 6-5-1 record and the Senators qualified for the regionals for the first time.
“I am extremely proud of this group of exceptional young women,” Martinez said. “I’m very pleased with the results of the season and everything we accomplished. This is a very young program that is taking steps in the right direction and learning what it takes to compete on a high level.”
With SUNY Ulster becoming known as a good place to compete in women’s soccer, Martinez was able to persuade players from six different counties to play for him in 2022. “I am looking forward to that trend continuing and bringing local and outside talent for fall 2023,” he said.
Sophomore midfielder Itzel Michaca said she was glad to be part of the development of the Senators’ women’s soccer program.
“One of the most exciting and interesting parts of the season was being able to see the growth and positive changes this team has done compared to last year,” Michaca said. “Being able to defeat teams we could hardly score on last year was something I felt really proud to witness.
“For a team that has only started since last year, we made it to postseason and that is something I am so proud about for myself and my team,” she added.
SUNY Ulster averaged nearly one goal more a game this season over 2021, which was a big factor in the increased win total.
“This year we found success on the offensive side of the ball,” Martinez said. “We established a style of play that worked well and that the whole team rallied around. The positive chemistry between players on and off the field helped create an environment where all players were motivated to contribute and make this year successful.”
Standouts for the Senators this year were Michaca, sophomore forward Sophie Santiago and freshman defender Elexis Smykla, according to the SUNY Ulster coach.
Although Martinez was happy his team qualified for the regionals, he said SUNY Ulster still has a ways to go if it wants to contend for a championship. SUNY Ulster was blanked 8-0 by Sussex County Community College in the playoffs.
“Although the results were not what we were hoping for, we learned a lot from this experience,” Martinez said of the playoff defeat. “Our goal moving forward is to take the necessary steps to be able to compete versus well-established and successful programs.”
SUNY Ulster will have 11 returnees next year who will look to build on the accomplishments of the 2022 campaign.