Garden City, N.Y. - The men's lacrosse team, ranked #2 in the USILA preseason poll, is coming off of a successful 2011 campaign that included a Northeast-10 Championship and earning a spot in the NCAA title game where they came up just a goal shy of a win. However, it marked the end of a 10 year hiatus from the NCAA Tournament and also reaffirmed that Adelphi is a national force to be reckoned with.
 
“Last year was a successful season,” said Head Coach Gordon Purdie. “Winning our first NE-10 championship was great, but there was certainly a feeling of emptiness losing to Mercyhurst by one goal in the NCAA Championship. That loss has inspired our players to work harder during the off season and we look forward to an exciting 2012 season.”
 
In 2011, the Panthers put together a 16-3 overall record with a 9-1 conference mark, suffering their only loss to Le Moyne. After defeating St. Michael's in the semi-final of the NE-10 Tournament, they then captured the title after beating Merrimack.
 
Earning a #4 seed in the National Tournament, they opened up play with a game against Limestone and came out on top, 14-11, to advance to the final. In a heartbreaking game that came down to a final shot in the last seconds, Adelphi had to settle for runner up as they fell to Mercyhurst, 9-8.
 
“It's my hope that our coaching staff can prepare our players to rise to every challenge throughout the season,” state Purdie. “Our history says we have the most decorated Division II program in the country with seven national championships to our name. Last year, we got back on the national stage which puts us in a position to challenge for that National Championship once again.” Attack Purdie runs an efficient offense that earned a ranking of fifth last year in scoring offense with 12.05 goals per game, fifth in scoring margin with an average winning margin of 4.95 goals, and fourth in points per game with 19.42. “Our offense is not predicated on one player going to the net to score all the goals, but rather six players working together to create the highest percentage shot possible,” Purdie stated. “When you play old school lacrosse, it makes every possession fun and that is why we play the game.”
 
His plan worked as the Panthers ranked third in the country in assists per game with 7.37. Additionally, three players ranked in the top-36 in the same category individually. “Our offensive patterns are specifically designed to share the ball and create shooting opportunities for others,” describes Purdie.
 
“Last year, I saw some of the prettiest goals in my tenure at Adelphi, often seeing four or five players who could take a shot but move the ball to another player who has a higher percentage shot. Their understanding of how the game should be played, and the way they move the ball to create scoring opportunities for another teammates makes it enjoyable to coach.”
 
Having scored 26 goals and dishing out 22 assists last year, Danny Blau returns for his senior season as one of the Panthers top attackmen and one of just two players to start all 19 games. “Danny has an incredible ability to create opportunities and find open seams which truly makes our offense click,” said Purdie.
 
Blau will man the front line with teammate Mike Rossie. The junior and North Massapequa, N.Y. native did his part last season with 34 points. As described by Purdie, “Rossie is our quarterback. He creates scoring opportunities for himself and often draws a double team, enabling others to get open looks at the net.”
 
The trio of Bryan Hall, Timothy Aiello and Connor McCann cap the mainstays on attack combining for 25 goals and nine assists during the 2011 season. They will receive help from Vinny Coiro, a Nassau Community College transfer and NJCAA All-Region honoree. “These four guys not only are excellent position players, but they also give our offense versatility and flare.”
 
Midfield
At midfield, Adelphi returns a trio of experienced players in Joe Vitale, Shane Wynn and Kieran Riegel, who account for a good portion of the Panthers points from a year ago. Vitale, a First-Team USILA All-American comes in as the squad's leader in assists (30) and points (70). Wynn, an All-American Honorable Mention, tallied 51 points and 68 ground balls last season and won over half of his face offs (.573) while Riegel earned 40 points on 32 goals and eight assists.
 
“With our first midfield line coming back, we return almost half of our offense [statistically] from last year,” stated Purdie. “These three seasoned seniors have not just given the team a tremendous amount of offense, but are leaders on the field as well.”
 
Kevin Kennedy, Ken Fundus, Doug Quednau and Ryan Seelinger will provide additional strength in midfield. “Transition was certainly a strong point for us last year,” stated Purdie. “With Kevin, Ken, Doug and Ryan, our ability to push the ball and create offense in transition should be evident throughout the season.”
 
Newcomers include Bryce McNeely, the only All-American out of Kansas, and the state's Player of the Year; Jamie McAndrew, an All-County honoree out of MacArthur high school and Nick Olsen, a three-time All-League selection from Holy Trinity.
 
“With a great recruiting class, our second midfield will look to see some time this year and should give us some much needed fire power for our offense,” Purdie says.
 
Face-offs
The Panthers graduate their top face-off man Jesse Colamussi, who was ranked 10^th in the country in face-off percentage (.603) courtesy of winning 191 of 317 attempts. However, Adelphi boasts returner sophomore Greg Puskuldjian and three capable newcomers in Kenneth Worker, Richard Stein Jr., and Joseph Sciara who are all up to the task.
 
“Face offs are a huge part of the game and Adelphi has always taken pride in having some of the best face-off players in the country; this year should be no exception,” stated Purdie, referring to their seventh ranked face-off win percentage. “Losing Jesse is a blow to the team, but with Ken, Rich and Joe all competing for the nod, we should be in good shape when it comes to face-offs.”
 
 
Defense
The Panther defense was ranked sixth in the country, allowing just 7.11 points per contest. Additionally, they ranked 10^th in ground ball pickups with 34.16 per game.  Between Daniel Gill and Colamussi, there were 195 ground balls scooped up last year. Despite losing the two to graduation, the Panthers return Jeff Melsopp, a 2010 All-Rookie Team honoree, Vincent Alestra and Wayne Marx.
 
“With Jeff and Vincent returning, and adding newcomers James Maroney and Kevin Wahl, I believe our strong back line will put us in a great position to be tough defensively which should translate into a successful season,” described Purdie.
 
Goalie
Adelphi returns USILA Second-Team All-American and NE-10 Goalie of the Year, Eric Janssen, who proved more than capable between the pipes last year as shown by being ranked sixth in goals against average (6.9) and second in save percentage (.654).
 
“Eric's ability to make saves in key situations and push the ball up the field creates offense through our defense,” state Purdie of his goalie.
 
Janssen will have help from Aiden Bennardo and freshman John McGrath. “Aiden is a capable goalie who had an outstanding fall season,” Purdie said. “With Eric, Aiden and newcomer John McGrath in goal, our save percentage should be in good hands.”
 
Coaching staff
Returning to the sidelines is Joe Catalonotti, the 2011 IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He will be joined by former players Tommy Susko, Devon Schneiderbauer and Kyle Yberg. Last year, Susko led the team in points with 41 and was named to the All-NE-10 Second Team and All-Tournament team.
 
Schneiderbauer was a goal keeper during his four year tenure in a Panther uniform. Over his career, he logged 1744 minutes in net, made 351 saves which ranks eighth all-time in Adelphi's Division II history and has a career save percentage of .568. Yberg was a one year member of the Panther lacrosse team in 2011 and made 11 starts with 14 appearances on defense.
 
“I feel my coaching staff is one of the most dedicated staffs in the country. Their knowledge and ability to motivate is a key reason why our team had success last year,” says Purdie of his assistants. “With Tommy, Kyle and Devon just recently being players, they are in a unique position to relate to the student-athletes while also driving home the coaching staff's message.”