STONY BROOK, N.Y. — For Emma Beattie, becoming a Stony Brook student-athlete was a long time coming.
 
On a visit with her older sister, Beattie knew it was where she wanted to play college soccer.
 
"When I visited, I realized I really liked it," she said. "It wasn't too big, wasn't too small, and was definitely somewhere I could see myself."
 
The Carle Place, N.Y., native is one of five newcomers for head coach Tobias Bischof's women's soccer program this fall, as Bischof enters his second season at the helm. The Seawolves are coming off a program-record 14 wins in 2019 and a second America East championship in three seasons.
 
"I've had my eye on them for a bit," Beattie said. "When I found out Tobi got the job, I knew what a great coach and great person he was, and that sealed the deal for me."
 
Their longstanding connection dates to the East Meadow Soccer Club in the Elite Clubs Nationals League.
 
"I was named a captain, and I felt like we had that mutual respect for each other as player and coach," the back said. "It all was coming together as if it was all meant to be for me."
 
Backs Francesca Lee and Marissa Kelberman graduated from last season's Stony Brook squad, which tallied nine shutouts. Beattie's ECNL experience should help her be an option to step into a starting role as a freshman.
 
"It's good playing in those [national] competitions, because it showed me different types of talent, and it displayed different ways to defend and attack," she said.
 
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic created a new set of challenges during her senior year.
 
"I never thought I'd say, 'I want to be sitting in a 90-degree classroom right now,' but I really do," she said with a laugh. "It's kind of a packed house around here."
 
Her current residence is filled with her biggest fans. Beattie's family has not been shy about its fan-club intentions for this upcoming season, whatever it may hold.
 
"They're more than happy that I'm just 40 minutes down the road," Beattie said. "They've already said they're going to come to every single game."
 
Not only are the parents happy, but Beattie is also a fan of the location.
 
"I'm far enough where I can be away, but I'm close enough that if I need to come home, I can," she said. "I can get that home-cooked meal when needed."