Crusaders sweep postseason awards
The Hudson Valley Crusaders, a semi-professional women’s soccer team that plays its games at SUNY New Paltz, swept the United Women’s Soccer League Two’s Northeast Conference postseason awards.
Mitchell Kazanjian was named Coach of the Year after leading the Crusaders to the 2023 Northeast Conference Championship. The local team finished with a 5-1 record and a goal differential of 22 goals, the highest in the country. The Crusaders scored 24 goals (tied for the lead in the country) and led the country with only two goals allowed.
Sydnee Smith was selected as Offensive Player of the Year, Grace
Palczewski was named Defensive Player of the Year and Perri Anderson was the Goalkeeper of the Year. Forward Kyra Kenyon (five goals) and defender Maggie Cameron (five assists, second in the nation) were also selected to the Northeast Conference first team along with Smith, Palczewski and Anderson. Smith led the country with six goals and six assists.
Kazanjian said Smith was one of his first signings when he was hired as head coach of the franchise this season. He said he was impressed with her movement off the ball when he watched film of her playing collegiate soccer at SUNY Brockport.
“There’s little to no wasted movement in Sydnee’s play and she understands how to press as an individual better than anyone I’ve ever coached,” Kazanjian said. “I couldn’t be happier with Syd as a player and look forward to her helping us challenge for the National Title in League One this upcoming season.”
Palczewski led a back line that allowed only two goals all season. She was the team’s defensive captain, and Kazanjian said he often sought her advice on how to organize the defense.
“Grace is one of the players that helps define the culture of the club,” Karanjian said. “Her physical strength, acceleration and tactical patience are what inspire confidence amongst the team. We know every time Grace has a one-on-one with an attacker that she is winning it every time.”
Anderson, who plays for SUNY Oswego, was superb as the team’s goalie, allowing only one goal all year. The Crusaders’ goalkeeper trainer, Zack Decker, said she is very coachable.
“Perri is a humble, dedicated and hard-working person and player,” Decker said. “Her willingness to learn and receive information and criticism is matched with the drive to continue to grow every single day.”
The Crusaders compete in a summer league for players under the age of 23. After an 0-6 record in its first season in 2021, Hudson Valley improved to 2-4 in 2022 before taking the Northeast Conference title and posting a 5-1 overall record this year.
Hannah Esslie, a sophomore midfielder at Buffalo State University, is the owner of the team. She founded the Crusaders in her senior year at Cairo-Durham High.
The Crusaders’ success in 2023 earned them a spot in the UWS League One next year, the top league in a ladder of UWS affiliates. Three League One alumni were on the roster for the U.S. women’s national team at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Hudson Valley will field two squads next season. The Crusaders will have one team in the UWS League Two and the other in League One.