June 14, 2006
Garden City, N.Y. -
2005-06 Sports Recap
The 2005-06 season was another successful year for Adelphi Athletics, capped with a NCAA Championship for the women's lacrosse team. This marked the team's second National Title in three appearances. In total, four teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Women's Soccer made its fourth straight post-season appearance. The men's basketball team won its second NYCAC Regular season title and also earned a NCAA Regional berth. Softball garnered a bid as well, its third since 1995.
Fall 2005 Highlights
Cross-Country
The men's cross country team placed third at the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) championships for the fourth consecutive year, while the women took home third for the second time in as many years. The men also picked up a first place finish at the inaugural St. Rose Cross Country Joust.
Junior Jaime Julia-Perez (Amsterdam, N.Y.) and graduate student Ryan Soltan (Sayville, N.Y.) earned first-team all-conference honors, placing fourth and fifth at the conference championship meet.
Sophomores Melissa Coelho (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Meghan Farrell (Holtsville, N.Y.) joined freshman Lindsay LaFluer (Holbrook, N.Y.) as second-team all-conference selection. Coelho placed ninth overall, while Farrell and LaFluer followed in 13th and 14th place respectively.
Men's Soccer (4-13-2, 2-4 Atlantic Soccer Conference)
Men's soccer returned 15 players from the 2004 squad, including eight who have seen significant playing time. The Panthers opened the 2005 campaign with a 1-0 win over Manhattan but then fell into a rut, going winless in their next nine games, before finding their stride and going 2-2-1 in their last five contests.
Senior Einar Oddsson (Reykjavik, Iceland) and sophomore Oliver Skelding (Sydney, Australia) were each honored as All-Atlantic Soccer Conference selections. Oddson, a first-team selection at defense, appeared in all 19 games, scoring one goal, while Skelding, a second-team selection in the midfield, scored four points on two goals.
Senior Tal Lahav (Moshav Haniel, Israel) was selected to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division men's soccer team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A second-team selection, Lahav boasts a 3.95 grade point average and graduated with degrees in accounting and economics.
Women's Soccer (10-5-2, 8-1-1 NYCAC) NCAA Regional Participant
The 2005 seasons was a rebuilding year for the Panthers who lost eight seniors to graduation. After a slow 2-3 start, the team found its momentum, winning eight of its next nine games. Adelphi finished third in the NYCAC, earning its fourth straight NCAA Northeast Regional bid. This also marked the tenth consecutive season with 10 or more wins for the Panthers.
Freshman Erin Klimkowski (Westbury, N.Y.) was named NYCAC Rookie of the Year and a first-team selection. Junior Catherine Wyndham (Lynbrook, N.Y.) also earned first-team honors. Seniors Leah Brady (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Shannon McEntee (Valley Stream, N.Y.) along with junior Lauren Lopez (Farmingville, N.Y.) were each named to the second-team, while juniors Denise Auer (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Christine Conway (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) were third-team picks. Wyndham and Klimkowski were also recognized as All-Northeast selections, earning first and second team honors, respectively.
Academically, the team was recognized for the 11th consecutive year by the NSCAA with Academic Honors for posting a 3.51 cumulative grade point average. McEntee was also honored by CoSida as a Second-Team Academic All-District selection as well as a NYCAC Women's Soccer Honor Roll. In May, she was honored by the Nassau County Sports Commissioner as Female College Athlete of the Year.
Women's Tennis (7-7, 5-2 NYCAC)
Women's tennis won three of their first four games, and closed out the regular season with two straight conference wins, before topping New Haven in the semifinals of the NYCAC team championships to earn a berth in the finals.
The Panthers would fall in the finals to Queens, but concluded the season with a 5-2 conference mark. Claudette Frysztacki (Wantagh, N.Y.), a senior speech pathology major, was named the 2005 NYCAC Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete, as voted by the league's coaches. Frysztacki recorded a perfect 6-0 mark at No. 3 singles and boasts a 3.782 grade point average. Teammate Claudia Nunez (Miami Beach, Florida) was also honored during the 2005 season as a three-time NYCAC Player of The Week selection.
Volleyball (13-17, 3-7 NYCAC)
Volleyball started slow, dropping their first six contests, but once the four newcomers jelled with Adelphi's nine returning players the Panthers started rolling, going 13-10 over their last 23 regular season games. That run earned Adelphi the eighth seed in the conference tournament, where they fell to top-seeded Dowling, 3-1.
Sophomore middle blocker Lauren Flanagan (Boulder, CO) earned third-team all-conference honors after leading the Panthers in blocks (32), block assists (41) and total blocks (73). Flanagan was also named to the all-tournament team at both the Millersville Tournament and the Kutztown Fall Classic.
Winter 2005-06 Highlights
Men's Basketball (27-5, 19-1 NYCAC) NCAA Regional Participant
For the second season in a row, the men's basketball team captured the NYCAC regular season crown, however the Panthers also won the NYCAC tournament title, a double Adelphi had not accomplished since 2001. The Panthers also earned the fifth seed in the NCAA Northeast Regional, taking out fourth seeded Bentley in the first round, 90-86.
Head Coach James Cosgrove was honored for the second time in as many years as the Met Basketball Writer's Association (MBWA) Division II Coach of the Year. Junior Kimani Blaize (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and senior Aaron Cummings (Bay Shore, N.Y.) were also honored by the MBWA with All-Met selections.
Blaize, who broke the 1,000-point barrier in 2005, was also selected to the All-NYCAC second-team, while Cummings earned third-team accolades. Senior and fellow 1,000-point scorer Jamaal Wagner (Jamaica, N.Y.) was one of just 20 players selected from across the country to compete in the NABC/Division II All-Star game.
Women's Basketball (15-13, 14-6 NYCAC)
Picked to finish fourth in the NYCAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Panthers earned the third seed in the conference tournament after finishing with a 14-6 regular season record. It was a squad of just eight players that suited up for Adelphi this year which got off to a shaky 0-3 start. But the Panthers rallied to win 12 of their next 17 ensuring home court advantage in the conference playoffs. The Panthers post-season hopes were cut short with a tough 60-51 loss to C.W. Post in the first round.
Senior Carlyshia Hurdle (Brentwood, N.Y.) was selected as a first-team All-NYCAC pick. She graduated as the school's second all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Sophomore Mary Lepore (Manhasset, N.Y.), the Panthers' leading scorer, earned second-team honors. Both players were also honored by the NIT/Met Basketball Writer's Association. Hurdle was named Division II Player of the Year. Lepore earned first-team honors as well.
Swimming
The Adelphi swim team continues to get faster, the men posted a dual meet record of 5-3, while the women compiled a mark of 4-4-1. The men also improved on last year's Metropolitan Championships placing by one, capturing eighth as a team, while the women placed 11th.
At Mets, the men captured eight top-10 finishes, led by Junior Matt Jordan's (Valley Stream, N.Y.) third place finish in the 50-yard freestyle (21.18). The women also picked up eight top-10 finishes, paced by Jerri Lester's (El Paso, TX) fourth place finish in the 100-yard backstroke (59.98) and her fifth place finish in the 200-yard backstroke (2:11.15).
Adelphi had five men qualify and swim individual events at the ECAC Championships and also swam three relays, Lester was the lone woman to earn a trip to the event. The men placed 13th overall with 53 points, while Lester placed 17th with 23 points on the strength of two top-10 finishes.
Spring 2006 Highlights
Baseball (21-23, 16-11 NYCAC)
Baseball opened the 2006 season with an 11 game road trip that included contests in both Georgia and Florida. The Panthers returned to campus with a record of 3-8 and found their grove, going 17-10 over their last 27 games, finishing tied for third in the conference and earning the fourth seed in the NYCAC playoffs.
Adelphi had seven players honored with All-NYCAC selections, led by freshman hurler Bobby Lanigan (Staten Island, N.Y.) who earned Rookie of The Year and second-team honors. Junior pitcher Michael Myers (Wantagh, N.Y.) joined Lanigan on the second-team, while junior catcher Stephen Malvagna (East Meadow, N.Y.) earned third-team accolades along with seniors Brian Rath (second base - Wantagh, N.Y.), Thomas Cali (outfield - Shirley, N.Y.), Ricky Nicholson (outfield - Massapequa, N.Y.) and Nick Testani (utility - Williston Park, N.Y.).
Junior Pat O'Neill (Oakville, CT) received recognition for his work in both the classroom and on the field. A business major with a 3.74 grade point average, O'Neill was honored as a second-team CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.
Men's Lacrosse (8-5, 1-4 NYCAC)
Men's lacrosse flexed their muscle early, winning six of their first seven contests en route to an 8-5 overall mark and a final USILA national ranking of sixth. Leading the charge for Adelphi was senior attack Wes Green (Adelaide, Australia), who was named Nassau County Sports Commission Male College Athlete of The Year, USILA Player and Attackman of The Year, NYCAC Player of The Year, first-team All-America and was a first-team All-Conference selection.
Sophomore midfielder Dale Pescitelli (Shoreham, N.Y.) and junior defenseman Chris Mahaffy (Huntington, N.Y.) joined Green on the all-conference team with second-team selections.
Women's Lacrosse (16-1, 4-1 NYCAC) National Champions
For the second time in three years, the Adelphi women's lacrosse team has been crowned National Champions. In almost a carbon copy season to 2004, the Panthers were undefeated all season until their regular season finale against cross-town foe, C.W. Post. It took the Pioneers double overtime to top the Panthers, 14-13, to claim the NYCAC regular season title. Both teams were guaranteed a NCAA berth by virtue of their overall ranking and records, setting up a rematch in the first game of the Final Four at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
As in 2004, Adelphi was victorious, defeating the Post, 9-8, to advance to the championship game against West Chester. The Panthers dominated the Golden Rams throughout the contest, cruising to a 16-8 win for the title. Seven players were named to the all-tournament team, led by junior midfielder Meghan Blume (Bel Air, MD) who was voted Most Outstanding Player. Also named were senior attack Dawn Anselmin, junior attack Diana Lopez (Farmingville, N.Y.), junior midfielder Lauren Lopez (Farmingville, N.Y.) and senior defender Mary Cannata (Massapequa, N.Y.).
A total of 10 players were named All-NYCAC, with freshman Rachel Ray (Rocky Point, N.Y.) named NYCAC Rookie of the Year. Eight players were named to the First Team; in addition to Ray, other Panthers honored included the Lopez sisters, Anselmin, Cannata, senior defenders Melissa Demasi (Shirley, N.Y.) and Jayna Kyriacou (West Hempstead, N.Y.) and junior goalkeeper Allyson Murphy (Williston Park, N.Y.). Blume, along with junior midfielder Tara Grodotzke (Rocky Point, N.Y.) were named to the Second Team.
The Panthers set a new school record for most wins in a season (16) and most consecutive wins (14). Six players earned All-North Regional team honors with Demasi, the Lopez sisters, Murphy and Ray named first-team selections with Cannata receiving second-team honors. Demasi, Lauren Lopez and Murphy were also named IWLCA and US Lacrosse first-team All-America selections. Diana Lopez and Cannata were named second-team All-Americans.
Head Coach Jill Lessne-Solomon was honored as the IWLCA Division II Coach of the Year for guiding the Panthers to a National Title. Demasi earned IWLCA Defensive Player of the Year honors, while teammate Murphy was named IWLCA Goalie of The Year.
Softball (33-17, 13-5 NYCAC) NCAA Regional Participant
After an early exit in the NYCAC Tournament in 2005, the Adelphi Softball team had an impressive season, advancing to the NCAA Northeast Regional Tournament for the third time in the program's Division II history. The Panthers finished 33-17, posting their sixth 30+ win season. Head Coach Kate Whalen was named NYCAC Co-Coach of the year for guiding the Panthers to a 13-5 NYCAC record, finishing second in the conference. Seven players were named to the all-conference team including freshman infielder Jessica Vogt who was voted NYCAC Rookie of the Year.
Adelphi dropped its first game to the ultimate winner, LeMoyne College, 5-1, before rallying to defeat Bryant College and UMass-Lowell. Heavy rain caused the postponement of many games preventing a LeMoyne rematch. Senior second baseman Amy Delmore (Bellerose Manor, N.Y.) and senior pitcher Carla Buonviaggio (Staten Island, N.Y.) were each named to the NCAA All-Region team.
Four players were named second-team All-region selections. In addition to Delmore, sophomore Julie Schaper and freshmen Diana DiPiano and Samantha Johnston were recognized.
Track and Field
The track and field program grew in size and stature during the 2005-06 campaign. The men placed sixth at the indoor Collegiate Track Conference (CTC) Championship meet, while also improving on their placing at the Disney Relays with a third place showing.
For the second year in a row the women took sixth at the Disney Relays, however the women jumped five spots from 2005 to 2006 at the CTC outdoor championships, finished seventh. The men improve four spots at the CTC outdoor championships, finishing 10th overall.
Men's Tennis (4-6, 2-4 NYCAC)
Men's tennis blanked their first three opponents, sprinting out to a perfect 3-0 start before cooling off to finish 4-6 overall and 2-4 in conference action. Over the course of the season Adelphi picked up big wins over Pace, Philadelphia and Bloomfield.
Freshman Tomasz Walczak (Olesnica, Poland) earned second-team all-conference honors after posting a mark of 5-5 in singles matches, including finishing an unblemished 4-0 at second flight singles.
Golf
In a transitional year, the golf program performed very well, finishing fourth at both the NYCAC Championships and the Long Island Intercollegiate Golf Championships. At the NYCAC Championship sophomores Jantzen Vargas (Danielson, CT) and Mauricio Saavedra (Cochabamba, Bolivia) narrowly missed out on all-conference honors, placing seventh and ninth respectively.
Saavedra and Vargas also played well at the ECAC Championships, collecting 21st and 32nd.
