Garden City, N.Y. - The 2011 women's lacrosse season was nothing short of perfect. They won all 20 games they played which meant winning the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament as well as making it to the NCAA Tournament where they were crowned the National Champions…for the third straight year. Since the program started in 2001, they claimed five National Championships, the most in Division II, and boast an incredible 73-2 record since 2008 which included two undefeated seasons.
 
This year's squad features one very noticeable difference compared to the previous four seasons; a new coach. Rob Grella was named the head coach of the program on July 25, 2011. He was a 1997 graduate of Adelphi and a two-time First Team All-American, helping the team to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament Championship game. Additionally, he was named the NCAA Division II At­tackman and Player of the Year in 1996 and played in the Division I USILA North/ South All-Star game in 1997.
 
While Grella's accomplishments as a Panther student-athlete are undoubtedly impressive, transferring his success from the field to the sidelines and keeping tradition of a very successful women's lacrosse program going will be a difficult task.
 
“Coming off of three national titles, expectations are always going to be very high,” Grella stated. “This year, our goals have been the same as years past. Win the NE-10 Championship to set us up for the National Tournament. We don't have any hidden agendas, we want to win another National title.”
 
Grella will have to ascend the Division II ladder back to the top without some notable play makers in Claire Petersen, Frankie Caridi and Demmianne Cook, who all followed former Head Coach, Joe Spallina to Stony Brook.
 
“With all the big shoes left to fill, I believe our girls have done a great job stepping in and filling voids left by graduation and transfers,” stated Grella. “We put heavy emphasis on teamwork and I expect our seniors to lead and underclassmen to follow. So far that's been the case.”
 
This year's schedule will feature 16 games, 12 of which are NE-10 contests and seven chances to play in front of the home crowd on Motamed Field. Additionally, they will face Le Moyne, a team that came the closest to tarnishing the Panther's perfect record last season as well as cross town lacrosse powerhouse, C.W. Post in the regular season finale.
 
Attack
Traditionally, Adelphi's dominant attack has powered through almost every defense that stands it their way. Last year was no different as the Panthers ranked first in the country in points (679), scoring offense (21.2 goals per game) and scoring margin (15.25) while being ranked fourth in caused turnovers (12.3 per game). Grella believes he must hold true to tradition and make sure his offense is formidable. “Our attack will be explosive just as in years past,” claims the first year head coach. “We need to be able to move the ball, be unselfish, and always look to make the extra pass and find the open player.”
 
The Panthers will be led by three-time All-American and last year's top goal scorer, Erica Devito. “Devito will be at the forefront of our offense,” stated Grella. “She possesses great skill and has an unmatched ability to shoot and assist as well.”
 
Devito will be joined by returners Marissa Mills and Devan Crimi who combine for 86 goals and 42 assists last year. “Mills has great speed and a great shot and will be moving from midfield to attack this year,” described Grella. Crimi is a fantastic lefty. Both her and Sara Sangiorgio can finish exceptionally well.”
 
The Panthers also plan on getting additional offensive production through transfers Melyssa Mathewson and Angela Oliveto and also newcomer Alexa Froccaro.
 
Defense
Like their dominant offense, the Panthers have been a difficult team to score on as proven by their number one ranked defense, letting up just 119 total goals on the year which is just 5.95 goals per game. “We will continue running a zone defense which has been very successful over the years,” said Grella.
 
Anchoring the defense will be the two captains, senior CJ Acker and junior Katelynn Ciaci, while Tara Gangarossa joins them in the difficult task maintaining a traditionally strong defensive line. “These three players alone will be able to guide this team back to a top spot in the NE-10 and into the NCAA Tournament,” Grella stated. Ciaci accounted for 35 of the trio's 60 caused turnovers while combining for 66 ground ball pickups.
 
Returner Laura Hedges will also see some playing time along with newcomer Lauren Janelli. “Hedges will be more involved with our defense this year while Janelli possesses defensive power that we need in our zone,” explained Grella.

Face-off
The Panthers ranked seventh in the country in draw controls per game with 15.6. “At the draw, we have an outstanding freshman in Danielle Jaycox,” stated Grella. “She's led our team through fall ball and into spring preseason. She's tenacious and goes after every ball in her area.”
 
Joining her on the draw will be returners Jackie Williams and Meg Brown, who accounted for a combine 61 draw controls last year and are described as the team's “top midfielders” by Grella.
 
Goalie
This year's goalie will feature a new face in Hereford high school product, Jordan Dempsey. “Jordan had a great fall and we believe she has the ability to lead us in the spring,” said Grella. Sharing time between the pipes will be Jen Rojas who saw just under 52 minutes of action last year and saw time in seven games.
 
Coaches
“We have a great coaching staff who have worked hard with the girls all through the off season,” Grella says of his support system. “They're very dedicated, loyal and knowledgeable and will be able to help keep all aspects of our game sharp.”
 
Todd Kaiser comes from Quinnipiac University where he was a four year member of the men's lacrosse team, scholar-athlete and 2010 graduate. His responsibilities will lie on the defensive side of the ball as well as coaching rides and clears.

Amy Rizzo was a four year member for LIU-Brooklyn where she was a four-time all-conference selection, three-time team MVP and graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer in 2007. Her coaching experience includes being on the sidelines at LIU-Brooklyn upon graduation, working with Building Blocks Lacrosse and Kent Place girl's lacrosse in New Jersey. Rizzo's responsibilities include scouting and recruiting.
 
Katelyn Catanese graduated from Mount St. Mary's in 2010 after spending four seasons as a member of the women's lacrosse team. She left the program with her name in the record books in the top-three in career goals, points, and draw controls. Additionally, she set the Northeast-Conference record for goals in a season, was named an All-NEC First-Team performer three times, and competed in the Under Armour North/South All-Star game.