Cobleskill, NY – The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department hosted its annual Athletics Awards Ceremony earlier this May, where first-year Joshua Sanchez (Bronx, NY/New Visions) of the Fighting Tiger men's soccer team was named the 2024–25 SUNY Cobleskill Male Rookie of the Year.

The Male Rookie of the Year Award is presented annually to a first-year men's student-athlete who demonstrates exceptional performance, growth, and impact during their debut season.

Sanchez made an immediate impression on the pitch, earning First Team All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honors for his standout rookie campaign. A versatile and athletic left back, he was a key contributor to the Fighting Tigers' postseason run, helping the team reach the NAC West Division Championship game for the first time in program history. SUNY Cobleskill finished the season 5-11-3 and earned its first postseason win since 2018 with a 3-2 victory over VTSU-Johnson in the NAC First Round.

Sanchez played in 18 contests with 16 starts, recording two goals and two assists. His defensive presence helped the team lower its goals allowed average from 2.56 in 2023 to 1.89 in 2024. His top performance came in a win over VTSU-Lyndon, where he scored twice.

Head men's soccer coach Joseph Machado spoke highly of Sanchez's impact and potential.

"Joshua had an outstanding first season with us," said Machado. "Very early on, he made a selfless decision to switch positions to help solidify our back line, and that move elevated both his game and the team's performance. He quickly became one of the most dependable defenders in the conference, while still contributing offensively. His maturity, work ethic, and willingness to learn stood out right away. We're proud of what he accomplished in his first year and excited to see how he continues to grow."