When Shanna Szablinski took over the reigns of the State University of New York at New Paltz field hockey, she found a program mired in what could best be described as mediocrity. Yet within a year, the former John Jay East Fishkill High School and Lock Haven University standout had brought the Hawks into the SUNYAC and regional field hockey spotlight. And they have never looked back.

Since taking over the program in 2009, Szablinski has guided the Hawks to a 43-17 overall record with five conference championships in the last decade, including four consecutive titles between 2012 and 2015, and were either SUNYAC tournament finalists or semi-finalists the other five years. Additionally, Szablinski's Hawks have appeared in five NCAA Division III field hockey tournaments, including four consecutive appearances between 2012-2015 and have reached the NCAA DIII second round on three occasions. 

Due to the team's dominance over the last 10 seasons, Szablinski was rightfully named as the State University of New York Athletic Conference Field Hockey Coach of the Decade, as announced by the SUNYAC in a press release Wednesday.

"Shanna is truly an exceptional coach; she is in constant reflection of where her program is and what can be improved," said SUNY New Paltz Associate Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Brian Williams. "She is a tireless recruiter that has a knack for not only finding talented athletes but ones of exceptional character. But at the core of it all, Shanna truly cares about the entire wellbeing of her students and it starts with her mentoring these students to be better people first, students second, then comes the field hockey part after that foundation has been built. Shanna is truly a remarkable person and New Paltz is very lucky to have her as part of our campus community."

Szablinski was honored as SUNYAC Coach of the Year five times and was named Synapse Sports National Coach of the Year in 2012.

A diligent recruiter with an eye for both exceptional and up-and-coming talent, Szablinski coaches with the tenacity and enthusiasm that earned her NCAA Division II Field Hockey Athlete of the Year as a senior at Lock Haven. At SUNY New Paltz, she has coached 35 All-SUNYAC players, two SUNYAC Players of the Year honorees, 13 NFHCA All-North Atlantic Region selections, two NFHCA All-Americans, one Synapse Sports All-America, and three NFHCA Senior All-Star game selections. Her players have excelled in the classroom as well, earning both individual and team NFHCA All-Academic and CoSida All-Academic honors.
 
Additionally, Szablinski coached three members of the SUNYAC All-Decade team, which includes Dani Ackerman '17, Jessica Caruana '16 and Alyssa Stock '14.

"All three forever changed the culture of our program and were leaders who were selfless, dedicated and loved to compete," Szablinski said. "They had so much love and passion for our program and were 100 percent invested in their teammates and our vision. They are the type of players that every coach wants to have in their program and the type they hate to play against."

Read more about each of the Hawks' All-Decade selections below:

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Dani Ackerman (2012-2015)
Midfield
Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East High School

The journey from high school all-star to college first-year player can often be a daunting challenge because of the change of pace and level of competition. Yet, the Hawks' Dani Ackerman met that challenge head-on — from an All-County field hockey player to a two-time college All-America.

The Smithtown High School East graduate quickly adapted to the demanding pressure of Division III field hockey under the tutelage of coach Shanna Szablinski. Ackerman's first year saw her and her teammates capture the first of four consecutive SUNYAC Field Hockey Championships and earned them four consecutive trips to the NCAA DIvision III tournament. A natural leader on and off the turf, Ackerman became the most decorated and honored field hockey player in SUNY New Paltz history.

"Dani was committed to the process and the values of our program. Her passion for creating a culture of success was evident in everything she did," Szablinski said. "In four years, she led our program to the top of the SUNYAC. Her work ethic and pursuit for excellence inspired our team to give their very best no matter what the circumstance were."

Ackerman's athletic accomplishments are legend: three time All-SUNYAC, twice SUNYAC All-Tournament team, SUNYAC Tournament MVP, SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year, ECAC DIII Mid-Atlantic Region (Second Team), twice Longstreth/NFHCA All North Atlantic Region First Team, and twice a Longstreth/NFHCA All-America Second Team selection. She stands third in career goals with 39, third in total points with 98 and tied for fourth in assists with 20. Her 20 assists also land her in eighth position in the SUNYAC field hockey record book.

And while achieving this athletic fame, Ackerman was equally dedicated in the classroom. She was a four-time SUNYAC Commissioner's All-Academic List selection, a four-time NFHCA All-Academic team selection, a CoSida All-Academic choice and she topped her senior year by being named a recipient of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

"As a forward/mid she was dynamic and the catalyst for our attack," Szablinski added. "Dani knew how to get the job done and she created chaos for our opponents. Off the ball she encouraged the play providing many opportunities to transition with success. Playing with energy allowed her to be dynamic and impossible to contain. Her knowledge of the game, work ethic and her selfless attitude made Dani the most decorated player in the history of our program. She had a way to ignite everyone's fire while keeping composed when faced with pressure. Throughout her time at NP, I watched Dani flourish as a leader and one of the best players in the country."

 
Jessica Caruana (2012-2015)
Back
Holbrook, NY/Sachem East High School
 
When you are an all-state player in high school, the expectation for continuing that excellence in college can be overwhelming. Yet for Jessica Caruana the move to the college game meant just upping her game to a higher level.

The Sachem East High graduate, fresh off her team's state championship, quickly became a mainstay of a SUNY New Paltz field hockey team and helped lead the Hawks to four consecutive SUNYAC Tournament championships and four trips to the NCAA DIII field hockey tournament. Playing both the midfield and back positions, Caruana was a double threat to opponents through her career. On defense she contributed to 25 shutouts over four years; on offense she scored six game-winning goals and totaled 29 goals and 30 assists in that same time period.

Her efforts landed her two All-SUNYAC First-Team nods, two All-SUNYAC Tournament selections, a SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year honor, a ECAC Mid-Atlantic Region Second-Team pick, and two Longstreth/NFHCA North Atlantic Region First-Team selections. She capped her stellar career by being named to the Longstreth/NFHCA and Synapse Sports All-America Third Team in 2015. And now, her outstanding career has been further recognized by the SUNYAC Sports Information Directors by being named to the SUNYAC All-Decade Field Hockey Team.

"Jessie provided direction and intensity throughout her four years at New Paltz," Szablinski said. "As a leader she was assertive playing a key role in cultivating a competitive environment and led our program to four consecutive titles. Her presence on the field was known due to her power and ability to perform under pressure. Defensively she took control of the backfield with confidence and effective communication. She was no stranger on attack either.  Her deadly strike on corners created many momentum swings during her four-year tenure. Throughout her time, Jessie demonstrated confidence in her abilities and never backed down from a challenge. Training and games were where Jessie displayed her passion to compete. She influenced her teammates to give their best and provided them with the confidence to do so. Jessie was dominant in the SUNYAC and recognized a top player in the country."
 

Alyssa Stock (2010-2013)
Midfield
Morris Plains, NJ/Whippany Park Hig School

Alyssa Stock took a chance on new coach Shanna (Vitale) Szablinski and came to SUNY New Paltz to help move a mediocre program into one of distinction. Her gamble paid off as the Whippany Park HS (NJ) helped change the culture of the Hawks field hockey program, as she was a part of the team's maturation from bottom of the conference to perennially fighting for SUNYAC Championships.

In Stock's first two seasons, the Hawks earned their way to the SUNYAC tournament semifinals, while her final two seasons saw the program as conference champions and NCAA DIII participants. Stock was chosen First-Team All-SUNYAC three times, SUNYAC All-Tournament Team twice, NFHCA North Atlantic Region Second-Team (junior year) and First Team (senior year), and was chosen to play in the NFHCA Senior All-Star game.

Statistically she stands fourth in career assists (18) in Hawks history, and ninth in career assists for SUNYAC.

Her prowess was not limited to the turf. Alyssa was a four-time SUNYAC Commissioner's All-Academic List selection and a four-time NFHCA National Academic Team selection.

"Stock had a tremendous impact on and off the field for our program," Szablinski said. "Alyssa's energy during training, games and off-season proved to be instrumental in developing the culture of our program. She was the type of player who was never satisfied, always found a way to push the envelope and was not afraid to get after it . During her time at New Paltz, Stock dominated the midfield for all four years. She created many scoring opportunities and was always in charge of shutting down the opponent's strongest players. She made the players around her successful and understood that complacency was not in our plans to become a champion. To steer away from complacency Stock celebrated the little victories ALL the time and never stopped showing her passion to play and love of playing for New Paltz. Her positive energy with her sick work ethic was infectious and in return it kept our program thriving."   


Sara (Woodward) Knickerbocker  *Cortland (2009-2012)
Forward
Ancram, NY/Pine Plains High School

Knickerbocker joined Szablinski's staff as an assistant for the Hawks since 2016, and helped the program to a SUNYAC Championship in 2018. Prior to SUNY New Paltz, Knickerbocker was one of the best to suit up for SUNY Cortland.

"As a player she was remarkable, and I knew she was always going to bring her best," Szablinski said. "I tried recruiting her during her senior year, but it wasn't until her playing career was over, she decided to become a Hawk. When Sara joined our coaching staff, I was ecstatic. She has continued to make a positive impact on the player's personal and professional development. Sara is extremely organized and committed to our vision. I thoroughly enjoy working with Sara and appreciate the time and energy she puts into our program.  What impresses me the most is her creativity as a teacher and ability to connect with our players. We are so fortunate to have an assistant coach who is invested in our growth and development as a program. She truly loves being a part of this program and is committed to the success of our student athletes and our department."

A forward from Ancram, NY, Knickerbocker was a First-Team All-SUNYAC selection all four seasons as a Red Dragon, was selected as a First-Team ECAC All-Region and First-Team North Atlantic Region honoree in 2009 and 2010, while also earning Second-Team North Atlantic Region honors in 2011.

During her playing career, Knickerbocker totaled 100 points, scoring 43 goals and adding 14 assists. She also appeared in four SUNYAC Championships, helping Cortland to a conference title in 2009 and 2011 with three NCAA appearances, while falling to the Hawks in the SUNYAC title game in 2012.


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