ONEONTA, N.Y. - Hartwick Women's Soccer Head Coach Brian Knapp has announced seniors Nelle Slavitsky (Conklin, N.Y.) and Trinity Irizarry (Greenwood Lake, N.Y.) as the team's captains for the 2026 season.
The senior duo brings leadership to both ends of the field after helping guide the Hawks to one of the program's most successful seasons in recent memory. Hartwick captured the Mayor's Cup for the first time since 2019 and earned its first United Soccer Coaches regional ranking since 2018. The Hawks finished the 2025 campaign with a 9-4-6 overall record and a 5-2-4 mark in the highly competitive Empire 8 Conference, securing the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. Hartwick opened postseason play with a 3-1 victory over Utica on Elmore Field before falling to eventual conference runner-up SUNY Brockport in the semifinal round.
Irizarry earned her first Empire 8 All-Conference selection last season, being named to the Second Team following an outstanding junior campaign. A fixture along the Hawks' back line, she started every match while consistently drawing the assignment of shutting down the opposition's top attacking threats. Combining physical defense with exceptional recovery speed, Irizarry played a vital role in a defense that surrendered just 0.68 goals per game. She enters her senior season looking to anchor another dominant defensive unit.
Slavitsky has developed into one of Hartwick's most versatile and dependable players, making an impact in both the midfield and defensive third. Starting all 19 matches a season ago, she served as the engine of the Hawks' midfield, consistently winning possession, dictating the pace of play and creating attacking opportunities with her vision and distribution. While many of her contributions don't appear on the stat sheet, Slavitsky's influence is felt throughout every match. She also delivered one of the biggest moments of the season, scoring the game-winning goal in Hartwick's regular-season victory over Utica to showcase her ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball.
Irizarry and Slavitsky will lead a talented Hawks squad into the 2026 season, which begins on Tuesday, Sept. 1, when Hartwick hosts crosstown rival SUNY Oneonta in the annual Battle of the Hills at 7 p.m. on Elmore Field.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
