March 10, 2008

East Brunswick. NJ - The Adelphi University bowling team traveled to East Brunswick, New Jersey to compete in the ECAC women's bowling championships, March 7-9. The Panthers had two individuals compete in the singles championship and placed second overall as a team. Adelphi is 61-61 overall, after posting a record of 8-2 in the tournament.

Adelphi opened play on Friday, March 7 in the singles championships. Kristin Hayes (#8) and Danielle Locurto (#7) are the first Panthers to qualify for play in the invidual championship bracket. Hayes defeated top seed Nicole Toto of FDU 190-187 in her first round match.

In the second round Hayes faced Sarah Pelletier of Sacred Heart and fell by one pin in a tight game, 173-174. Locurto faced the eventual champion Vicky Spratford in the first round, falling 219-235 thanks to seven straight strikes from Spratford.

Day two was the start of team play as the Panthers posted a perfect record of 5-0. In Game 1, Adelphi defeated Hampton University 903-767, led by Heather McGee with a 191. Dianna Molenko caught fire in game two, posting a 209 en route to a 903-859 victory over Howard University.

Morgan State University was the third casualty of the day for Adelphi, in a hard fought, 873-869, win that came down to the last bowler. Cristina Reale highlighted the effort with a 202. Game four featured a 216 by Michelle Montgoris in a 904-614 triumph over Cheyney State. Adelphi closed out the day with a, 894-868 win over Kutztown.

Adelphi opened the third day of action trailing St. Peter's College for the fourth and final championship round spot. The Panther opened strong, defeating #10 Delaware State University, 669-667. However #6 FDU turned the Panthers away, 744-817, in the second game of the day.

The Panthers picked up a 764-670 win over #7 New Jersey City University to slip into the championship round. In game 1 of the championship Adelphi faced FDU, with the winner advancing to the title game. The Panthers used a 907 pin effort, including a historic 300 pin fall to top FDU.

The Panthers then face Sacred Heart University. #4 Sacred Heart was able to defeat Adelphi 1-4, capturing the ECAC title. The second place finish by Adelphi is the highest finish at a major tournament by the Panthers in program history.

The Panthers 300 Baker game versus #6 FDU during a 4-0 victory in a best of seven Baker series was recorded by Cristina Reale, Dianna Molenko, Michelle Montgoris, Kristin Hayes, and Danielle Locurto. It is only the third time in NCAA Women's Bowling history that a team has completed the feat. The previous two teams were Vanderbilt University and the University of Maryland- Eastern Shores.

Adelphi returns to action on March 15 when they take part in the Columbia 300 Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tennessee.