2025–26 Wildcat Athletics Year in Review
The 2025–26 academic year marked another memorable chapter in the history of SUNY Poly Athletics. Competing in just their second year as members of the Empire 8 Conference, Wildcat student-athletes continued to represent the institution with pride, determination, and excellence both in competition and in the classroom.
Across 13 varsity programs, SUNY Poly celebrated conference award winners, record-breaking performances, postseason appearances, individual milestones, and the continued growth of several young teams. Whether veteran student-athletes were closing out remarkable careers or newcomers were making an immediate impact, the year showcased the resilience and competitive spirit that continues to define Wildcat Athletics.
As the Wildcats continue building upon the momentum of recent seasons, the future remains bright for SUNY Poly Athletics.
Men’s Soccer
Under the direction of head coach Peterson Jerome, the Wildcats concluded the 2025 campaign with an overall record of 4-12-2 and a 2-8-1 mark in Empire 8 play.
Featuring one of the younger rosters in the conference, SUNY Poly endured its share of growing pains throughout the season but showed significant improvement as the year progressed. Late-season conference victories over Keuka College and Russell Sage College kept the Wildcats in postseason contention until the closing weeks of the season and demonstrated the team’s continued development.
Senior Dominick Spychalski, junior Jael Casimir, and sophomore Nazim Harizi paced the offense, leading the team in both goals and points. With a strong returning core and another talented recruiting class joining the program, the Wildcats are well positioned to continue their growth heading into 2026.
Women’s Soccer
The Wildcats opened a new era under first-year head coach Colleen McTygue, finishing the 2025 season with an overall record of 1-15-2.
Injuries to starting goalkeeper Rylee Unebasami and defender Alexa Tenney created challenges throughout the season, but the Wildcats continued to battle while gaining valuable experience from one of the youngest rosters in the conference.
Freshmen Samantha Barrett and Abigail Hughes emerged as bright spots for the program. Barrett made a remarkable transition from midfield to goalkeeper midway through the season, recording 140 saves, one of the top-10 single-season totals in program history.
With a talented group of young players returning, the Wildcats will look to use this season as a foundation for continued improvement.
Men’s Cross Country
The Wildcats competed in eight meets during the 2025 season, consistently improving throughout the fall while collecting several top-five team finishes.
Senior Noah Breedy, junior Jack McCarthy, and freshman Ethan LaMore led SUNY Poly throughout the season with steady performances. At the Empire 8 Championship, Ethan Baker and Brian Doyle highlighted the Wildcats’ efforts by earning top-100 finishes.
Women’s Cross Country
SUNY Poly continued to make strides throughout the 2025 season, competing in eight meets while developing a promising young roster.
Freshman Ava Stoby and senior Michalyn Fagan consistently led the Wildcats across the finish line, providing strong performances throughout the year. Although the team did not record a team finish at the Empire 8 Championship, the returning core provides optimism as the program continues to grow heading into 2026.
Women’s Volleyball
The Wildcats continued their upward trajectory by finishing the 2025 season with an overall record of 8-17.
The eight victories represented a significant step forward, as SUNY Poly surpassed its combined win total from the previous three seasons. Throughout the year, the Wildcats demonstrated their growth and competitiveness within the Empire 8.
Sophomore Daniella Alusio and sophomore Kassity Cruz led the offense with more than 220 kills each, while junior setter Grace Southwick reached the milestone of 1,000 career assists. Defensively, senior libero Samantha Dee and Jade Taylor each eclipsed 200 digs, while Erica Mumbulo anchored the front row with 25 total blocks.
With much of the roster returning, the program appears poised to continue its upward climb.
Golf
The Wildcats competed in six events during the 2025-26 campaign, continuing to gain valuable experience throughout the season.
SUNY Poly also had the opportunity to host the Empire 8 Championship at Teugega Country Club. Blake Pugh, Josh Slater, and Jack Montanye led the Wildcats, each earning top-30 finishes during the conference championship.
Women’s Basketball
SUNY Poly wrapped up the season with a 7-18 overall record while showing flashes of strong play throughout the winter.
The Wildcats enjoyed several impressive stretches, including conference victories over Elmira College and cross-town rival Utica University. Although the team ultimately fell short of a postseason berth, several individual performances highlighted the campaign.
Junior Alysa Jackson led the offense by averaging nearly 16 points per game while recording 72 steals. Defensively, Sanaa Lee ranked among the nation’s leaders with 74 blocked shots. Jackson’s outstanding season earned her Empire 8 Third Team All-Conference honors, marking the second All-Conference selection of her career.
Men’s Basketball
Head coach Rob Schoener guided the Wildcats to another outstanding season, finishing 18-8 overall while placing fourth in the Empire 8 standings.
SUNY Poly once again established itself among the conference’s top programs, earning a postseason berth while receiving multiple individual accolades.
Senior Anthony Rose highlighted the season by earning Empire 8 Player of the Year honors while also being named to the D3hoops.com All-Region First Team. Rose and junior Kamyrn Comstock were both recognized as Empire 8 All-Conference selections following their outstanding campaigns.
Men’s Volleyball
The Wildcats continued their recent success with an outstanding 21-12 record, marking the program’s highest win total in more than a decade.
SUNY Poly advanced to the New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) Tournament for the second consecutive season, fueled by the veteran leadership of setter Joshua Slater and libero Thomas McNulty, along with the emergence of Jordan Prusky and Aaron Hennessy.
Andrew Baaki, Jordan Prusky, Thomas McNulty, and Quincy Slayton all earned All-Conference honors, while seniors P.J. Gottler and sophomore Kaiden Ranger also played key roles throughout the season.
Baseball
The Wildcats enjoyed another successful campaign, finishing the 2026 season with a 15-17 overall record and an 11-11 record in Empire 8 play while qualifying for the conference tournament for the second consecutive year.
Offensively, Johnny Yamin, Quinn Hill, Luke Landis, and Derek Menechino powered the lineup, while Austin Stoquert established himself as one of the team’s most dependable starting pitchers. Freshmen John Leonard and Carter Hufland made immediate impacts during their first collegiate seasons.
Trevor French, Luke Landis, and John Leonard were all recognized with Empire 8 All-Conference honors following their standout performances.
Softball
The Wildcats concluded the 2026 campaign with a 15-21 overall record, narrowly missing a berth in the Empire 8 Tournament.
Following the graduation of several key seniors, SUNY Poly relied on a young nucleus that gained valuable experience throughout the season. Sophomores Annabella Mondello, Sarah
Edwards, Shelbi Hagues, and Jillian O’Connor emerged as the foundation for the program’s future.
Shelbi Hagues led the offense with a .352 batting average, Kelly Powell finished with a team-high four home runs, Joely Welpe drove in a team-best 26 RBIs, and Annabella Mondello collected eight victories in the circle.
Women’s Lacrosse
The Wildcats completed the 2026 season with an overall record of 3-12 while continuing to gain valuable experience in the highly competitive Empire 8 Conference.
Madyn LaFleur, Brinley Ronan, and Katelynn Truax led the offense throughout the season, while goalkeeper Rebecca Thomas recorded 145 saves to anchor the defense.
With another young core returning, SUNY Poly will continue building toward sustained success as the program enters its third Empire 8 season.
Men’s Lacrosse
The Wildcats finished the 2026 campaign with a 6-10 overall record.
SUNY Poly opened the season on a high note with three consecutive victories over Alfred State, SUNY Canton, and Hilbert College. Despite a difficult stretch during conference play, the Wildcats remained competitive throughout the spring.
Ryan Carroll and Luke Taylor each scored 35 goals to lead the offense, while Liam Podszebka anchored the defense with 20 caused turnovers and 53 ground balls. In goal, Mac Fitzgerald surpassed 100 saves for the season, providing a steady presence between the pipes.
