Adelphi University proved once again to be the top athletic program in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) capturing its third straight Commissioner's Cup for 2002-03.
"To be involved in such a competitive conference and come out on top speaks highly of our program," said Adelphi Director of Athletics Robert E. Hartwell. "To finish in the top four in 15 of 17 NYCAC events shows how competitive Adelphi's programs are."
This marks Adelphi's fifth NYCAC Commissioner's Cup since the award was established in 1994. The only other program's to take the top honor are Dowling College in 1998 and 2000 and former NYCAC member the College of St. Rose in 1995 and 1996.
The Commissioner's Cup recognizes the conference's most outstanding overall athletic program. Points are awarded based on sport sponsorship in addition to overall excellence.
FALL HIGHTLIGHTS
Women's Cross Country
In almost a repeat performance of 2001, the Adelphi women's cross-country team advanced to its second straight NCAA Division II Championships after finishing second at the NCAA Div. II New England Regionals. Freshman Stephanie Henderson was the top runner for the Panthers, capturing the NYCAC championships and helping her team to its third straight title. Junior Alethia Ali, sophomores Katie DiPietro and Jessica Lee and senior Nancy Xavier also earned NYCAC first team all-conference honors, placing in the top seven at the conference championships. Henderson came on strong in the second half of the season, finishing first for the Panthers in four of nine meets including a 5th place finish at the New England Regionals and placing 83rd out of 186 competitors at the NCAA Championships. Ali and DiPietro, along with Henderson, were also named to NCAA New England Region team for finishing in the top 15.
Women's Soccer (17-2-2)
The #7 nationally ranked Adelphi women's soccer team posted its most successful season in five years, claiming its first NCAA Division II Northeast Regional title since 1997. The Panthers (17-2-2) upset #1 regional seed Lock Haven, 3-1 in penalty kicks, to advance to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship quarterfinals, before falling to #4 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce, 2-1, at Stiles Field. Adelphi also finished the season ranked first in the NYCAC with a 10-0-1 record, claiming its second conference title in as many years. Sophomore forward Josephine Coiro, junior midfielder Luciana Pace, and sophomore defenders
Josefa Pace and Dina Cali each received NYCAC First-Team all-conference honors. Coiro also led the team in scoring for the second consecutive year with 18 goals and six assists for 42 points. Luciana Pace had a breakout season, finishing second with 13 goals and four assists for 30 points. Junior goalkeeper Andrea Fasano let the NYCAC in goaltending with a .910 save percentage and a 0.51 goals against average. The Panthers chances for a repeat NCAA bid look promising as the team of sophomores and juniors looks return all 11 starters in 2003.
Women's Tennis (10-2, 8-1 NYCAC)
The Adelphi women's tennis team posted their most successful conference finish in school history. The Panthers finished second overall in the NYCAC, advancing to its first ever team championships. In all, Adelphi took home three individual titles. The team of juniors Rosi Bartovska and Tashi Sharma won the No. 1 doubles match. On the season, the team of Bartovska and Sharma recorded an impressive 13-1 doubles record and 10-0 NYCAC record. Sharma (14-3) was also victorious in the No. 2 singles, for her third NYCAC title. In 2000 and 2001 she won back-to-back No. 3 singles titles. Bartovska (11-4), named NYCAC Rookie of the Year, also advanced to the finals of the No. 1 singles. Sophomore Rebecca Gnessin (11-1) was instrumental to the Panthers success, capturing the No.5 singles title.
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS
Women's Basketball (18-11)
Under first year head coach Kelley Watts, the Panthers entered the 2002-03 season ranked 25th in the ESPN coaches poll. After a bumpy start, Adelphi won 13 of its final 17 regular season games to enter the NYCAC Tournament ranked fourth. The Panthers were also selected to compete in post-season play at the ECAC Tournament. Junior guard Jaime Douglas, a two-time NYCAC Player of the Week, was named second-team all-conference.
Men's Basketball (22-9)
With the loss of three-starters and three-time NYCAC Coach of the Year Jim Ferry, many expected a tough season for the Panthers. First year head coach James Cosgrove proved skeptics wrong, guiding Adelphi to a NYCAC Title, the school's fourth, and the Panthers ninth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The first two months were a challenge for the team that sported an 8-7 record through January. Then the Panthers found their way, finishing the season with a 14-2 record. Senior forward Wayne Nelson led the team in points and rebounds and was named first-team all-conference and NYCAC Tournament MVP. Nelson was also named the NIT/Met Writer's Division II Male Player of the Year.
Swimming
The swim team made many improvements this season, collecting both individual and relay career best performances. Mark Smith took first in the 1,000 yd freestyle, setting a new meet record in the process, at the Metropolitan Collegiate Championships.
SPRING HIGHLIGHTS
Baseball (7-30)
The Panthers struggled this season with the loss of several key players early on due to injury. The 2003 season marked the first year the squad did not advance to the NYCAC tournament in the league's history. Tom Cali led the team in at-bats and triples.
Golf
The Panthers made their second straight NCAA appearance, traveling to the Northeast Super Regional Tournament in Syracuse, May 5-7. Adelphi entered post-season play with a No. 6 regional ranking. The team also finished third in the NYCAC with Sean Calahare as the top finisher for Adelphi, placing third overall.
Women's Lacrosse (9-2)
The women's lacrosse team entered the season ranked 10th in the DII Coaches Poll for the first time in the young history of the team. The Panthers played a spectacular season, but failed to make the NCAA tournament due to a disappointing loss to C.W. Post in the final game of the regular season. AU bounced back capturing its first-ever ECAC title, defeating Philadelphia University. Goalkeeper Josephine Coiro led Division II in goals against average and was named a second-team All-America along with teammate Katherine Hock.
Men's Lacrosse (9-2)
Adelphi finished second in the NYCAC this season to eventual Division II National Champions, NYIT. The Panthers were led by freshman Wesley Green. For the second straight year, Adelphi University senior David Toy (Perth, Australia) was named the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division II Outstanding Midfielder of the Year. Four other Panther players also earned All-American honors. Senior attack Tyler Heavenor was named to the second-team, while junior defender Brian Hahn, junior midfielder Matt Schomburg and freshman attacker Wesley Green received honorable mentions.
Softball (35-17)
The Panthers advanced to their first NCAA tournament since 2000 and only the team's second ever appearance at the Division II level under head coach Kate Whalen. Picked as the number four seed, Adelphi advanced to the semi-finals before falling to C.W. Post, finishing third overall. Sophomores Tonia Trapani and Ashley Spreer along with senior Katie Omilak were named to the All-Tournament team. In addition, four members were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Team. Senior catcher Kristine McCarthy, senior outfielder Cheri Pearce along with Trapani each earned first-team honors. Sophomore outfielder Ivy Klein picked up second-team honors.
Men's Tennis (10-8)
The men's tennis team had an historic season, earning their first-ever NCAA bid, entering as the number sixth ranked team in the Northeast region. The Panthers finished third in the NYCAC team championships. Adelphi also brought home to first-place finishes in the individual championships, with the team of Faheem Romi and Abhijeet Muzumdar taking the No. 2 singles and Manuel Castro winning the No. 6 singles.
