May 2, 2009

Box Score

Brookville, N.Y. - Freshman Erica Devito registered four of her game-high six goals in the first half as #1-ranked Adelphi University topped #2 C.W. Post, 14-9, this afternoon. The Panther finish the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record, 4-0 in the ECC, while handing the Pioneers their second loss to finish, 15-2 and 3-1 in the league.

"I am extremely proud of our kids. They executed the plan perfectly," Head Coach Joe Spallina said. "It's a great accomplishment to be ECC Champs, but our goal is not to be number one on May 2, but to be number one on May 20. We have to continue to improve."

Freshman Marissa Mills led the Panthers to a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute, with sophomore Holly Burke pushing it to 2-0 on a feed from sophomore Michelle Ceraso. The Pioneers answered with back-to-back goals to knot the score at 20:49. Senior Rachel Ray scored the first of her three goals on a free position shot in the 13th minute, with Devito scoring less than a minute later to push the lead back to 4-2. Again Post responded with Ashley Olen and Brianne Jackolski each scoring their second goals of the day. Devito scored on a man-up opportunity followed by Ray on an assist from sophomore Kaitlyn Carter, 6-4, in the 28th minute. However, Katie Hogan closed the gap at 1:17, as the Panthers held a 6-5 advantage at intermission.

Devito and Ceraso each tallied two goals apiece in the 4-0 run to open the second half as Adelphi led, 10-5, in the 37th minute. Both teams traded goals, with Burke scoring again on a dish from Ray. With 12 minutes remaining in the contest, Devito accounted for two of the next three unanswered Adelphi goals to push the lead to, 14-7, the largest of the day. The Pioneers Lauren Spagnoletta scored her second goal with 2:52 on the clock, followed by Staci Passafliume with 1:12 to go, but it was too little too late as the Panthers stormed the field in celebration at the buzzer.

The teams were evenly matched with Adelphi holding a one shot advantage, 33-32. The Pioneers grabbed 18 ground balls, compared with 14 for the Panthers and also held a 15-10 draw control advantage.

Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Fitzpatrick who made 13 stops in the contest, was key to Adelphi's success. Post's Sam Powers had 11 saves.

As the only undefeated team in Division II, the Panthers should be assured the #1 spot going into the NCAA Tournament and secure a first-round pass straight to the Final Four. The official NCAA bracket will be announced Sunday night. The Division II Championships will take place in Salem, Virginia, May 16-17.