Adelphi University Athletics

Melissa DeMasi walked onto Adelphi University’s Garden City campus in the fall of 2002 and joined a women’s lacrosse program that was the definition of fledgling, having just completed its second season of NCAA Division II competition with a record of 11-4, under the direction of Jill Lessne-Solomon. A standout lacrosse player in high school, DeMasi became a special player at Adelphi and helped set the foundation for the dynasty that has become Adelphi women’s lacrosse.
 
In her first season as a Panther defender, Adelphi posted a record of 10-2 competing as an independent and captured the ECAC Championship, but fell short of their goal and did not earn a berth in the NCAA Final Four. However, the Panthers did achieve the first season ending National Ranking in program history, finishing 6^th in the IWLCA poll.
 
The 2004 season was a breakout campaign for DeMasi and Adelphi. The team would post an impressive record of 13-1, with their only loss coming against cross-town rival, C.W. Post in the regular season. But, the Panthers got a shot at the Pioneers two weeks later in the Final Four, and avenged the defeat with an 11-10 victory, and then went on to top West Chester, 12-11 in the National Final, capturing the University’s first NCAA Championship in a women’s sport. DeMasi earned her first IWLCA All-America honor, being named to the first-team and was also a first-team All-Region selection as well. She was also recognized for her shut down defensive play at the NCAA Final Four, Earning NCAA All-Tournament honors.
 
2005 saw a return to the NCAA Final Four for DeMasi and the Panthers, however, a 16-10 Final Four loss to Stonehill ended Adelphi’s repeat hopes. But, the Panthers captured the program’s first East Coast Conference championship and posted a record of 14-2. For the second season in a row, DeMasi was named a First-Team All-Region and All-American honoree.
 
DeMasi’s senior swan song could not have been scripted better, as she was named a team captain, leading Adelphi’s march through the regular season, falling to just C.W. Post. In a repeat of 2004, the Panthers got another shot at the Pioneers in the Final Four and came out on top, 9-8, earning another appearance in the NCAA Championship. A 16-8 dismantling of West Chester ensued and DeMasi ended her collegiate career with a second NCAA Title, a third IWLCA All-America and All-Region honor and was named the IWLCA Division II Defender of the Year, the first Adelphi athlete to earn that distinction. She was also recognized by the coaching staff and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player at Adelphi’s annual Athletic Awards Banquet.