Hall of Fame
Jill Lessne-Solomon was the architect behind what’s become both an Adelphi and national dynasty, as she was the first head coach in the history of the Panthers’ women’s lacrosse team.
Lessne-Solomon helped launch the women's lacrosse program in 2001, leading the Panthers to a respectable 4-6 record in their first year of existence. The next year, Lessne-Solomon guided the Panthers to an 11-4 record as an independent, including what was a then-program best seven game winning streak. In 2003, Adelphi missed out on its first NCAA appearance following a season-ending loss to C.W. Post, but the Panthers posted a 10-2 overall record, won the ECAC Championship and ended the season ranked No. 6 in the IWLCA poll. They finished in the top five in all of the NCAA’s statistical categories, including ranking first in the nation in scoring defense.
In 2004, she cemented her place the in Panther record books as she guided Adelphi to its first-ever NCAA title for a women’s sport. The Panthers posted a 13-1 overall record after a season-opening 11-game winning streak, earning a bid to the NCAA Final Four in Orlando, Fla. for the first time. The Brown and Gold avenged a regular season-ending loss to C.W. Post in the Final Four, winning 11-10, before defeating West Chester, 12-11, to claim the national title.
Defending their national championship, the Panthers went 14-2 under Lessne-Solomon in 2005, winning eight straight games to close out the season heading into the Final Four in Westchester, Penn. However, once there, the Panthers fell to Stonehill College, 16-10.
Her most successful season at the helm came in 2006, where the Panthers amassed a 16-1 overall record en route to claiming the program’s second national crown. Adelphi won its first 14 games on the season, before dropping their only contest of the year at home against C.W. Post in double overtime, 13-12. The Panthers again faced off against their Long Island rival in the Final Four, edging the Pioneers 9-8 to advance to the national title game. Behind eight goals from twins Lauren and Diana Lopez, the Panthers claimed the second NCAA title under Lessne-Solomon by defeating West Chester, 16-8, in the final game.
In her final season at the helm, the Panthers finished 13-2, and despite a No. 4 national ranking, missed out on the Final Four.
Over her career, Lessne-Solomon amassed an 81-18 overall record and coached 16 All-Americans and 17 All-North Region and All-ECC selections. She was named the IWLCA DII Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2006 and was named the Nassau County Sports Commission Coach of the Year in 2005.
