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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Readers, Once again the compelling and exciting college spring season comes to an end. In this edition of Ultimate Athlete magazine, we’ll take a look at the thrilling ending of Men’s and Women’s lacrosse, baseball, and softball. Such schools as Stony Brook, Hofstra University, Farmingdale, and St. Joseph’s are just a few of the schools to name a few that will be featured in this month’s issue. As with every season there are high points and there are low points. For the women’s softball team at LIU, the season ended on a high note as they secured a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championship. LIU’s success didn’t end there. The men’s lacrosse team made it to the NCAA Division II Championship game. Over at Adelphi the men’s lacrosse team enjoyed a stellar season making it to the NCAA Division II Semifinal game. The school also saw a number of its players receiving various accolades including several players who were given the all-American status. We at Ultimate Athlete magazine would like to thank everyone who helped contribute to this issue. Be sure to go online at (www.ultimateathletemagazine.com) for special web only stories, UA TV video coverage, and so much more. Sincerely,

Ultimate athlete magazine PUBLISHER/CEO EXECUTIVE EDITOR SPORT EDITOR

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SENIOR MEDIA MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

PAUL CORACE N.J COMANZO ANDREW DAVIS

LOUIS H QUACH PONNUTHURAI JEYATHAS WIN-KYE CHEONG

RICHARD BROOKS KEVIN FREHEIT JACKLYNKELLI KRONEMBERG BRIAN COLEMAN JUSTIN MACKIN DR. TOM FERRARO SANDY SARACONA MIKE MEJIA CSCS

mike repertorio lisa holahan robert devita Joseph Kellard

IN-HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

KEVIN SPERANDEO

MORGAN HARRISON BILL KELLY adil borluca

adil borluca

Andrew Davis Senior Sports Editor

Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 24 Woodbine Ave, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2012 by Ultimate Athlete Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are properties of thier respective owners. Although the writers and the publishers have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication we aassume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of authors and do not neccesarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.

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CONTENTS

COLLEGE

SPRING II 2014

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FEATURES

PG 10

ADELPHI

PG 14

DOWLING

PG 20

FARMINGDALE

PG 28

HOFSTRA

PG 34

LIU

Men’s Softball Women’s Lacrosse Men’s Lacrosse

Women’s Baseball Women’s Baseball

PG 40

ST. JOSEPH’S

PG 46

SPORT NUTRITION

PG 48

SPORT TRAINING

PG 50

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

Men’s Baseball

Fitting Fat Into A Fitness Diet Backfield In Motion

To Protect Or Attack

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ADELPHI BASEBALL LOOKS TO BUILD ON SUSTAINED SUCCESS STORY BY BRIAN COLEMAN PHOTOS BY ADIL BORLUCA

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or the last decade, the Adelphi baseball program has been one of the more successful teams in the Northeast-10 (NE-10) conference. Under head coach Dom Scala, the postseason has become a familiar sight for the Panthers, reaching the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years in the 2013 season. Thus, the expectations for the 2014 Adelphi team was to get back to the NCAA Tournament after being held out of the dance for the last two seasons. In the Scala era, the former Yankees bullpen coach has won two Coach of the Year awards and has had a number of players drafted into the MLB. As the Panthers capped off the regular season and prepared for the NE-10 tournament, Scala knew that the best way to go about baseball is a game-to-game approach. “The first thing is we need to take care of business and win today,” said Scala. “When you get into any post season you must play solid baseball. Good defense with solid pitching, and then we can manufacture some runs.” Adelphi played up and down baseball throughout the regular season, and hopes to turn on that switch as it enters the postseason play. As of May 7th, the Panthers headed into the NE-10 tournament on a bid of a snide. With losses in five

of its last seven games, Adelphi found itself searching for answers to right the ship. “We are right at .500 right now,” said Scala, as his team prepared for its regular season finale. “I feel our talent is better than that. However, other than one stretch, we have not been able to put any winning streaks together. That is key to a successful season.” The stretch that Scala is referring to took place back in early April as conference play really began to heat up. The Panthers notched seven wins over a nine-game stretch to pull itself right back up and back into the conference conversation. It began with an afternoon game on April 1st versus Pace University following three straight rainouts for Adelphi. The rainy, windy and cold weather that hit Long Island and the northeast in the early spring forced a number of postponements, giving the Panthers some needed days off. Jonathon Mulford took the hill for Adelphi against Pace, and set the tone early by working quickly and getting his defense off the field. The sophomore from Massapequa tossed a complete game while surrendering just three hits, and faced the minimum three batters in six consecutive innings.

That outing by Mulford got the Panthers back on track and was the catalyst in them reeling off seven out of nine victories. While the pitching has been and will always be the most curicial part of a baseball team’s success at any level, the Adelphi offense has had catalysts of its own that have put them in a position to compete for a championship.

Scala was formerly the bullpen coach for the New York Yankees, an experience that he says has shaped him into the coach he has, and uses a lot of the same things he learned with the Yankees on his players at Adelphi.

Junior outfielder Cliff Brantley has been one of the best hitters in the entire Northeastern region this season, and has anchored the Panthers lineup. The 5’9 transfer from Wagner College has been a five tool player, doing a little bit of everything for the Adelphi lineup.

“I tried to bring my Yankee mentality to Adelphi and I believe I did that,” said Scala. “We try to be first class and do things the right way. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best managers, coaches and players of the 70’s and 80’s. Billy Martin, Gene Michael, Jim Leyland, Ray Miller, Willie Randolph, Lou Pinella and many others. I take a little from each, store it, and put it in with my philosophy.”

“Cliff has been incredible,” said Scala. “He has been hitting at a .420-.450 clip all year. With a wood bat in this league that is unreal.”

That first class and respectable mindset has transferred to his players over the years, and has helped establish Adelphi as one of the top baseball and academic programs in the northeast.

Brantley leads the entire Northeast-10 conference in batting average at .410, with one homerun, 20 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases. He has arguabally been the best player in the conference all season, and is a major reason why the Panthers find itself on the verge of a NE-10 championship.

“I have won four conference championships, three coach of the year awards and have had seven players drafted and nine others sign pro contracts,” recalled Scala. “But one of my greatest achievements is that our team grade point average in my 11 years has been a 3.0. We have won the team academic award in the NE-10 conference two of the past three seasons.”

Adelphi knocked off the top seeded SW Southern Connecticut State University in the opening round of the NE-10 tournament, a result that shocked a lot of people. It now moves on to New Hampshire where the next round of the championships begins. Stonehill College is the next opponent for the Panthers as they look to win the fifth conference championship under Dom Scala. The 11th year head coach brought a professional and winning attitude to the club when he took over a decade ago.

The Adelphi baseball program stresses both sides of the student-athlete, and has made it one of the better academic programs in all of the conference. Even with the excellent performances inside the classroom, the Panthers are eager to make a run at the upcoming NE-10 Conference tournament this weekend and compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

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De s i g ne d by w i n- ky e c h e o ng

The Dowling Golden Lions Become ECC Champions S TO RY BY L I SA H O L A H A N P H OTO S BY M O RGA N H A R R I S O N

he Dowling College Women’s Lacrosse team is known for their impressive skills out on the field, and the team of blue and gold did not fail to meet expectations once again during this spring 2014 season. The women of the Dowling College lacrosse team are known as the “Golden Lions” and the name sure is fitting for a team that is so strong and proficient. The Golden Lions took over the competition this year, and came out on top when they won the East Coast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship. Dowling had quite a journey this year before advancing to the championships and becoming victorious. The team had 8 wins and 1 loss out of a total of the nine conference games they played, making them nearly undefeated. They also had an overwhelming successful regular season, losing only 5 games and winning 14 games overall.

Their lacrosse season began on March 1st where the Golden Lions really pounced on their opponents from Wilmington University. Dowling took home their first win of the season against Wilmington, where they had a tremendous thirteen goal lead with a final score of 19-6. Some of the teams most impressive games were during the beginning of the season. WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM

In fact, when looking back on the journey that the Golden Lions took this season, it is important to take note of not only their overall wins, but the amount of conference games the team has won. Aside from the five conference wins already spoken about, the team also won against Queens, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Mercy College. When Dowling went up against Queens College, they made the game of lacrosse look easy, scoring a notable nine goal lead over the college, which they won 13-4. When the team played against Saint Thomas Aquinas College they were able to bring home their seventh conference win by beating the opposing team 13-7. The only time the Golden Lions fell short during their conference run was against LIU Post. Dowling suffered a loss of five runs to LIU, and the game ended in a final score of 14-9. However, the team was able to bounce back quickly to achieve wins against Queens and Saint Thomas Aquinas. Dowling scored their eighth and last conference game against Mercy College. The Golden Lions crushed the Mercy Mavericks and held a twelve run lead over the team, ending the game 17-5. The Golden Lions ended their regular season during the end of April, and what better way to end the season then by playing two meaningful games for Lax-4-Life. The Lax-4Life initiative is a national lacrosse campaign that provides and supports programs geared toward adolescent and young adult suicide prevention awareness. Lax-4-Life was played on the Golden Lions home Field and for the first round of the competition Dowling played against Stonehill College. The Golden Lions fell short to Stonehill, losing a close game of 1816. Yet, Dowling was able to rebound nicely during the second round of Lax-4-Life against Merrimack College. The Golden Lions beat Merrimack 16-12, which concluded their spring 2014 regular season.

Due to their amazing record of 8-1 in conference games, the Golden Lions were able to advance to the ECC Championship Tournament. There they played the semi-finals against Saint Thomas Aquinas College, whom they previously beat earlier during the season. Dowling was able to come up with the win against the Saint Thomas Aquinas Spartans, and crushed the team once again, this time 16-4. After winning the semi-finals the Dowling team was on their way to victory with the last stop being the final championship game against LIU Post. Previously, the Golden Lions fell short to LIU, which marked the only conference loss the team suffered this season. LIU Post also came into the finals with incredible credentials, winning a total of 18 games and losing only 2 during the regular season. More importantly, Post was an undefeated team prior to the finals, winning a total of seven conference games. However, the hardworking team of Lions put their heart and soul out on the field for the final game. After what seemed to be the most nail biting game of the season, the Golden Lions beat the favored LIU Post team 11-10. This made them the East Coast Conference Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lacrosse Champions of 2014 and what a way to end such a phenomenal effort by Dowling.

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with playoff experience, farmingdale’s youth movement eyes championship run next season S TO RY BY J O S E P H K E L L A R D

transfer from Hartwick, junior Philip Schaefer, played in his first post-season game with Farmingdale State on May 1, when the Rams fell to Kean University, 15-7, in a Skyline Conference Semifinal match. Schaefer, a Holbrook native, who led Farmingdale in goals (34), assists (14), and points, gained invaluable playoff experience, as did his mostly youthful teammates.

One positive outlook Tuttle takes from the season is his team’s 8-6 record, marking a rebound from consecutive sub .500 seasons (6-9 in 2012 and 7-8 in 2013). He called Schaefer a tremendous contributor to the team’s winning ways. “When you think of guys playing new, [Schaefer] is new as far as playing for us and getting to learn our system [as it goes],” Tuttle said. “He did a great job, leading us on the attack.”

Of Farmingdale’s 16 players that started on game days, 12 were either freshmen or sophomores. All freshmen play on the team’s second midfield. “Having such a young team — we have so many freshmen on the field — that just having that playoff experience, where everything is faster, quicker and harder and all of that, I think it is so beneficial,” said Schaefer; whose season-ending collarbone injury in a match against Farmingdale last season led to his transfer.

Another highlight was Farmingdale’s triumphs in all three-overtime games, defeating Oneonta 9-8, Misericordia 11-10, and Stockton 9-8, with freshmen scoring two of the three goals. Schaefer called the win against Oneonta in early March the team’s statement game. “That’s because the team fought hard and came back,” said Schaefer, who had to learn a faster-paced style of play under Tuttle. “That second-half effort brought us back in the game, pushed us into overtime, and it kept going. It really showed how our team was, how we were not going to give up.”

Coach Tim Tuttle called last week’s semifinal game, after having fallen to Kean in the semis last year and in the Skyline Conference game April 9, a tough loss. “The first time we had played Kean this season we had a 5-4 lead by the half, and then we had a bad third quarter,” Tuttle said of the 13-9 loss. “Last [week], they jumped out on us in the first half, scoring 11. We shut them down in the second half, [and] only gave up four goals. But the lead was just too insurmountable.”

By mid-March, the Rams strung together a three-game winning streak, defeating Hartwick 12-7, Manhattanville 16-9, and Misericordia 11-10, before falling to Division III power Wesleyan, 13-2, their worst loss. They wrapped up the regular season strongly, defeating Mount Saint Vincent, 14-9, and Stockton in overtime.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF FARMINGDALE ATHLETICS

Tuttle, a seventh-year coach who led Farmingdale to its first Skyline Championship game in 2011, believes this season’s squad could have won more games. But with an extreme youth movement underway, growing pains were inevitable. He believes the program has improved each year, thanks to his assistant coaches and improvements to school facilities that have made Farmingdale an attractive place to play, especially for good, young talent. Among the outstanding freshmen is Steve Marxhausen, a 6-foot-5 defenseman from Levittown, who led the Rams in takeaways and can push the ball from one end of the field to the other and score. His second-half goal in the semifinal game sparked the team’s momentum, to come as close as 11-7 against Kean. “He has tremendous range,” Tuttle said of Marxhausen. “He played the top attacker against every team we played this year. We had so much confidence in him. He was college-

ready probably two years ago. That’s the type of player he is. And he is a silent captain because of his ability.” Looking ahead, Tuttle believes the team’s success next season may hinge on him and his staff getting their young players to not forget their post-season experiences and loss. “[What] we want to try instill in them is that this is a place where we have to get to again, but this time it’s about winning that game,” he said. “We want them to remember it. Enjoy it, and enjoy the season, but bring it back as motivation for next year.” Schaefer seems to already have learned that lesson, seeing the team’s playoff appearance as setting the bar for a run through the NCAA Division III tournament. “Now we have to make it back there, and all of these freshmen coming back know that we’re not stopping at the semis,” said Schaefer. “That should be like something that should be guaranteed, and now our goal should be the championship game.”

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ULTIMATE ATHLETE

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HOFSTRA ITS WINN S TO RY BY JACLYN K ELLI K RO N EMB ERG P HOTO S BY A D IL BO RLU C A

he Hofstra Softball team has never had a losing season under the helm of head coach Bill Edwards and this year is no different. Hofstra has 32 wins and 11 losses despite losing about 12 games due to the tumultuous weather they’ve faced this season. “We may have lost 12-13 games due to the weather and that is frustrating,” said Edwards. “I’m satisfied with our record and how we have been playing. It’s encouraging how they have overcome adversity and have been resilient. We are in a great routine and have the opportunity to win the conference.” Edwards entered his 25th season as the head coach this season. Edwards has led Hofstra to 14 NCAA tournament appearances making it to the Regional finals six times and 11 straight conference tournament titles. Edwards has been named the CAA coach of the year for six straight years and in 2012 he led the team to their first ever appearance in a Super Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Hofstra has won 10 games in a row going into the CAA conference championship tournament that starts on Wednesday May 7 in Harrisonburg Virginia. “Our goal every year is to win the CAA Conference Championship and try to make it to the College World Series,” said Edwards. “We have to win the CAA Conference Championship to make it to the

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NCAA tournament. We strive to set a standard of being competitive in our conference.” Last year Hofstra graduated their All-American pitcher Olivia Galati, their best hitter Tessa Ziemba, Jess Hirschbuhl, D.J Slugh and Nicole Osovski. This year’s team filled in the holes playing as a team. As a team they are hitting 310 and have 12 players that contribute to the offense in every game. Two Pitchers have stepped up to fill in the hole of Galati, Taylor Pirone and Morgan Lashley. “They complement each other because they are so different,” said Edwards. “They have pitched very well for us this season. They keep the ball in the park, make big pitches and when they are on the mound they give us an opportunity to win.” Pirone is a junior transfer from Fordham University and Lashley is a junior transfer from the US Military Academy. They have shared it equally the whole year. Pirone is a north and south pitcher and Lashley is an east and west pitcher. Hofstra has a powerful lineup anyone can hit a homerun. The start of the lineup is two slappers that get on base, sophomore outfielder Chloe Fitzgerald and senior outfielder Rachael Senatore. Fitzgerald is leading the team in hitting with a 376 hitting percentage and has 18 stolen bases. Senatore has a 297 hitting percentage and has 13 stolen bases.

CONTINUES NING WAYS “Chole is a threat anytime she gets on base,” said Edwards. “Rachael and Chloe are the top of our lineup that leads to our power game.” The rest of the lineup has good hitters. Sophomore infielder Kim Smith has a 361 hitting percentage and eight steals. “Kim is consistent with hitting,” said Edwards. “She is a pure hitter.” Everyone can hit a home run at any time. The power hitters include sophomore first base Maggie Hawkins. Hawkins has a 341 hitting percentage and nine homeruns. Junior catcher Erin Trippi has a 325 hitting percentage and seven homeruns. Senior infielder Becca Bigler has a 331 hitting percentage. “All three have tremendous power when at bat,” said Edwards. “They have good power numbers.” Sophomore outfielder Caryn Bailey has a 252 hitting percentage and has hit three homeruns in the last five games. “Caryn had a great year last year and didn’t have a good start this year,” said Edwards, “She is finally hitting the ball the way she can and she turns the lineup around sending it back to our power.”

“We have to play well to win the Conference but we have the ability to do so,” said Edwards. “We are confident going forward. I love coaching this team. They are very competitive and it is a pleasure to be around them. I enjoy watching them get better every day.”

Hofstra has played fewer games due to the weather they were faced with this season. They are in a groove now winning 10 in a row giving them momentum into the CAA Conference Championship. They are on their way to accomplishing their goals and hopefully make a run for the College World Series.

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NAS SAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIONS

NASSAU LIONS OFF TO A STRONG SEASON Story By Kevin Freiheit // Photos By Kevin Sperandeo

NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

In their six wins this season, Nassau has put up 240 points, an average of 40 points per game. Those numbers increased after the Lions defeated Hudson Valley Community College 68-20 in a JDPH WKDW JRW RXW RI KDQG TXLFNO\ The Lions defense has allowed more than seven points in a game just twice this season and KDYH \LHOGHG SRLQWV RYHUDOO WKURXJK WKH ÂżUVW six games. By scoring four times more than the opponent, Nassau isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to have a problem winning games. They havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been relying on star senior players, either. Nassau has been able to spread the wealth and possesses numerous ways to score. 6RSKRPRUH TXDUWHUEDFN 7UR\ -RQHV KDV led the Lions to victory at every chance he has KDG WKLV VHDVRQ -RQHV KDV FRPSOHWHG RI attempts this season, along with 10 touchdowns. His longest play of the year went for 82 yards and KH LV DYHUDJLQJ MXVW RYHU SHU JDPH -RQHV KDV plenty of talented wide outs to throw the ball to, but if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a favorite target he has, that very well may be sophomore Antwane Grant. Grant has found the end zone six times this season, including three in the win against Hudson Valley. Grant has three 100-yard receiving games and has made at least a reception during every game, except one. When theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not throwing the ball, the Lions KDYH D JUHDW RSWLRQ LQ VRSKRPRUH UXQQLQJ EDFN 7UDYLV /RFN ZKR KDV EHHQ D ELJ SDUW RI WKH offense this year and has made some big runs DOO VHDVRQ ORQJ /RFN KDV JDLQHG \DUGV DQG WKUHH WRXFKGRZQV RQ FDUULHV +LV ORQJHVW UXQ RI WKH VHDVRQ ZDV \DUGV With these offensive options, the Lions can be an unpredictable group, and can win games LQ GLIIHUHQW ZD\V *UDQW DQG -RQHV KDYH FUHDWHG problems for their opponents so far because they are both so dynamic.

f thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one word to describe the Nassau Community College football team, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;dominantâ&#x20AC;?. The Lions are plain and simple destroying their opponents this season and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Lions are off to a 6-1 start and have proven, time after time, that they will be a team to beat going forward. Nassau has been on a roll and is building more momentum DQG FRQÂżGHQFH ZLWK HYHU\ ZLQ PDNLQJ LW WKDW PXFK PRUH GLIÂżFXOW IRU DQRWKHU WHDP WR stop them.

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7KH /LRQV ZLOO ORRN WR ERWK RI WKHVH SOD\HUV WR NHHS GRLQJ ZKDW WKH\ KDYH EHHQ DV WKH\ FRQWLQXH The Lions had their toughest game of the season recently, and the results were different this time. Nassau suffered its lone loss of the season, which VQDSSHG D VL[ JDPH ZLQQLQJ VWUHDN 7KH /LRQV IHOO WR *HRUJLD 0LOLWDU\ &ROOHJH WKH UDQNHG VFKRRO E\ D VFRUH Playing the top seeded school is always tough, but Nassau has the talent and mentality to bounce EDFN 7KH /LRQV KDYH D IHZ JDPHV UHPDLQLQJ RQ WKHLU VFKHGXOH 7KH\ ZLOO WDNH RQ /RXLVEXUJ College, Globe Tech and ASA College to close out the regular season.

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LIU

HAS HASA ARECORD RECORD BREAKINGSEASON SEASON BREAKING Story By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg Photos By Bill Kelly

ast year the Long Island UniversityPost softball team made it to the NCAA Tournament Regional round and is hoping to get further this season. LIU has had a record breaking season posting their least amount of losses in a season. They have 45 wins and eight losses this season. “Our goals are always the same to win the East Coast Conference and get to the College World Series,” said LIU head softball coach Jamie Apicella. “We are hoping to compete for the National Championship.” LIU has won the Conference Tournament, the regular season conference title and have a number one seed in the East Region of the NCAA Division II tournament. This is their 13th consecutive s e a s o n reaching

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the NCAA tournament and their first ECC Championship since 2009. LIU’s goal is to get to back to the College World Series last time they were there was in 2011. They have advanced to the College World Series a total three times including 2007 and 2008. “We are having record breaking numbers offensively this season,” said Apicella. “As long as we continue to play the way we have we should be able to continue to have success. It’s always good to win the conference tournament; it gives us momentum and confidence going forward.” Apicella entered his 16th season as the head coach. Apicella reached a milestone this year gaining his 600th win with LIU. Apicella is an alumni and played baseball at LIU. “This is a second home to me,” said Apicella. “This athletic department is successful. I love being able

to coach here.” LIU is one of eight teams in the East Coast Conference. Each team plays each other four times. LIU’s biggest rival would be Molloy which has won the conference the past three years. All the conference games are tough and it is a strong conference from top to bottom. “Usually two or three teams from our conference make the NCAA tournament,” said Apicella. “Molloy has always been a formidable competitor, Dowling always has a strong program and Queens College had a good year with over 30 wins.” Last season LIU graduated three seniors and this season they have six seniors on the team. LIU is led by four pitchers that work well together. Senior pitcher Liz Weber has a record of 22 wins and three losses. Weber was named ECC pitcher of the year. “Liz has been the foundation of this team the past three years,” said Apicella. “We can count on her to give us good performances when she is out on the mound.” Freshman pitcher Ashley Martin has 16 wins and two losses. Martin has had

great relief appearances this season. “Ashley has been a great surprise this season,” said Apicella. “She has played remarkable and has a very bright future here.” Junior pitcher Megan Salcido has five wins and one loss this season. Salcido has pitched 63 innings this year. “Megan is a good compliment to the other pitchers,” said Apicella. Sophomore pitcher Quincy Lewis is the closer and has had eight saves this season. “Quincy does a great job,” said Apicella. “She shuts the door.” The strong spot in the LIU lineup is the three, four and five spot. “I have been told by numerous people that our 3, 4 and 5 are the best in the country,” said Apicella. “They are the best I’ve seen.” In the number three spot is senior centerfielder Alexis Gonzalez. Gonzalez is batting a 367, has 17 homeruns, 63 RBIs and has a 757 slugging percentage. In the number four spot is senior shortstop Nicole Hagenah. Hagenah is batting a 419, has 12 homeruns, 48

RBIs and has a 744 slugging percentage. In the fifth spot is junior catcher Aly Dzierzynski. Dzierzynski is batting a 445, has a school record 23 homeruns, a school record 73 RBIs and a 957 slugging percentage. LIU is looking to continue their success in the NCAA tournament where they have a number one seed. Their next game is on May 9th at 1pm against the number eight seed Wilmington. LIU is hoping to accomplish their goal of making it to the

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College World series and hopefully walk away Champions after the record breaking year they have had. “This has been a rewarding season,” said Apicella. “These girls are very low maintenance. They set high goals and work hard to achieve those goals. I enjoy watching them play and grow every game. We have a great balance, good speed, great power and good defense. It has been a wonderful year and a great run so far. This year I reached a milestone 600 wins and I’m very proud of that. Hopefully we will continue to play good and go far in the Tournament.”

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LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY POST PIONEERS DOWLING COLLEGE golden lions

return, LIU can really start expecting more victories. Even with that, the Pioneers have some areas to improve upon, and Collins has already been making adjustments. “Going into the year, we felt solid in certain areas, but we had certain question marks in other areas,” Collins said, “We have to stop giving up the big play.”

Story by Kevin Freiheit Photos by Morgan Harrison

The defense has had a rough time, especially over the past two games, giving up 86 combined points. It was a major difference as the defense allowed just 28 in the first pair of games. Collins is confident that the Pioneers can recover from the losses and put together a winning season.

DOWLING Men’s Soccer A Stands Tall

“This team is sticking more together,” Collins said, “Adversity causes some to break, and others to break records. We’re always working hard, and we have excellent recruiting class that is showing.” A big piece of the Pioneers’ puzzle is how the younger players perform. “It’s a huge role from younger players,” Collins said, “We’re very happy with the freshmen class. We want to

he Dowling College men’s soccer team was unsatisfied with their

“

We have a tremendous roster and This season, the Pioneers got off to a start again, winning the opening pair we have already won hot more games of games and scoring 71 points. However, this year than all ofLIUlast year. took a step backwards as they dropped the next two games, falling back to .500

maintain a winning attitude, and make sure the freshmen are seeing it.” The confidence level for LIU is still high, and the Pioneers believe that they are a talented enough team to put together a successful season. The coaches believe in the players, and they are willing to work to make them even better. “I really do believe this is a special group of players,” Collins said, “They’re preparing very hard to play these games. Everything is in place for them to succeed, and we’re hoping for big things from the Pioneers this season.”

declining, and they have lost that winning touch they held onto for so long.

results from a year ago. After DiRico noted that the team lost eight posting a 2-15-1 record, the Golden Lions games by only one-goal last year, but knew that change was necessary. With regardless, it was still a disappointing Dowling has season. The Golden Eagles have played fter a disappointing finish to only last 13 onreturning the year. players, The Pioneers are facing alreadyancollected more situation wins than all of season, the Long Island University eerily similar to the one in four one-goal games this year, but have bythey winning the firstbut fiveare been on the winning side more frequently. Post Pioneers are looking to last get year that were three in lastofseason, games looking this season. for a completely opposite back where they belong. Following two With an experienced coach like successful winning football seasons, theHead outcome. Despite the two coach John DiRico is game in hislosing DiRico, Dowling already has a starting Pioneers finished with a 3-7 record 22nd last year streak, head Coach Bryan Collins is of coaching and understands point to get back on track. “We have a year, falling short of their ultimate goal. team can getLions back on the what itconfident takes to that win.hisThe Golden completely different team than last year,” right track. were National champions in 2006 and DiRico said, “We have a tremendous Despite winning the first two games would consistently post season 10 roster and we have already won more of the year by a combined 91-36 score, “I fully expect us to of compete,” or more wins.said, However, overis the last9-2, games this year than all of last year.” LIU was unable to keep the momentum Collins “Our goal to go two years, their up performance has been going. Bloomsburg University halted one week and one week down. the energy and the Pioneers started an Attack the next opponent.” The unfortunate string of defeats. Throughout Pioneers have been battling injuries the rest of the season LIU would only during both this season, and the winKevin one other game, a 20-15 victory over last one. While many coaches will Story by Freiheit Millersville University on homecoming never use injuries as an excuse, Photos by Morgan Harrison weekend. A losing season can be looked they certainly hurt the overall at in more ways than one. While it wasn’t quality of the team. the anticipated or wanted outcome, the “Our starting running back Pioneers used the year to learn, rebuild has battled an ankle injury, but and improve. he’s playing through it,” Collins

“

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said, “We’ve been struggling with injuries. If we can get back healthy, we’ll continue to get better each week.” Once a few of the injured players begin to

Freshman infielder Alex Hailes is one of the new players on the team and is looking to get his collegiate career off to a good start. “This team has gelled together really quickly and I have high expectations,” Hailes said. Hailes, who is from England, didn’t hesitate to say that he is more concerned than how the team is doing than personal statistics. At the same time, he knows that he is going to have to step and contribute when called upon. “Hopefully I can make a big impact, stay off the bench and make a difference,” Hailes said.

team become that successful once again, but he’ll have to do it with a completely new set of players, a lot of whom are new. “This team has the makeup, the talent and the chemistry to get back to where we are used to being,” DiRico said. “I have a good sense of where this team can go.”

Returning striker Kariym Balthazer knows what it’s like to play for Dowling, as he did last year, but wants to see the team be successful. “The sky is the limit”, Balthazer said. “We have a lot of work to do, but we’re responding well. I’m happy with how we already beat our record from last year.”

DiRico’s determination to win translates to his players and he aims to recruit players that have the same mentality that he does. “I recruit players from winning programs and my players hate to lose more than they love to win,” DiRico said.

Improving a record from a season ago, but that’s just the first step for Dowling soccer. The Golden Lions made a name for themselves and were a strong force, and an intimidating team to play against.

Head coach John DiRico

DiRico has plans of seeing his

DiRico has set high standards for the Golden Lions and he has every season, regardless of past records or performances. “The coach has high expectations of you and doesn’t settle for mediocracy,” Balthazer said, “I respect him as a coach.”

The Golden Lions are off to a good start, but the season has just begun. Dowling will try to make a deep run for the first time in three years.

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SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE sharks NAS SAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LIONS

“I believe that hard work beats talent, every time talent does not work hard,” says Kim Simpson, head coach of the Suffolk County Community College Girls Volleyball team. In Coach Simpsons past five seasons with the �harks, the team has made it to the regional semifinals four times. Last season, the Sharks had a record of 22-1 and went to nationals after winning their region. The team included an all-American nomination, as well as multiple all-regional players.

about the game, I must also exhibit it. I work my girls hard and expect a lot out of them.” She says, “No matter how talented, I expect my teams to work, work, work until we hit our final goal of winning the region.”

volleyball, you always know when she is on the court.” Brittney led the team in kills last season. “She works extremely hard and is passionate about the game. She loves to have fun at practice with her teammates and loves to push them. She is a true leader ”, according to Simpson. With a bright future ahead, on and off the court, Brittney is pursuing a future career in nursing. Simpson says, “She is going to do amazing things on the next level when she leaves Suffolk.”

NASSAU LIONS OFF TO A STRONG SEASON Kim Simpson’s volleyball career began at NYIT, where she was a scholarship player for four years. Since then, she has worked with multiple volleyball programs such as the Longwood PAL and the Long Island United travel 18 year old volleyball team. Coach Simpson’s enthusiastic coaching and hard work by the players has lead to indisputable success for the Suffolk Volleyball program. Simpson believes in leading by example, “I think if I want them to have desire and passion

SUFFOLK SHARKS

Team captains for the 2013 season include returning sophomores Amanda Dill and Brittney Olazagasti.

Amanda Dill, from Patchogue, was nominated to the all tournament team at the regional playoffs in 2012, where the team took first place. �impson says, “I am very lucky to have someone like Amanda on the team who pushes others to be the best they can be.” This dedicated student athlete is described as a , “consistent, strong, and a mentally tough player.” Amanda hopes to continue playing at a four year school after graduating from SCCC. Fellow team captain and extremely talented player, Brittney Olazagasti, from Selden, NY is a first team all regional player. Coach Simpson says, “Brittney loves

Sophomore Katie Shannon from Selden, controls the court for the Sharks, and is the team’s setter. “The team depends on her and she has done such an amazing job setting up all of our hitters so far this season. She loves the game and wants to continue playing at the next level. Katie is willing to work on anything or try anything you ask her to. Sometimes as a coach you know you push people, and sometimes you must stop before you break them, but there is no breaking Katie. She wants to be the best player she can be!” says Coach Simpson. Simpson describes her as, “a caring, dedicated and hardworking

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look forward to successful year Story and Photos By Kevin Sperandeo

Suffolk Girls Volleyball

NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

young lady.” Fighting her way to a starting spot with very talented group, freshman, Carly Lombardo from Stony Brook has been able to find her role on the team. Coach Simpson says, “She is volleyballminded. She has been around the game for so many years and is driven to be successful.” Carly came to the team from High School coming off not only a Division 1 Suffolk Championship, but also a Long Island Championship. Described as a player that always brings one hundred percent, Simpson says, “She is a versatile player, I can ask her to play any position on the court, and she will gladly do so.”

Another key player for the team is Kiersten Kissinger from Islip. This is �iersten’s first year with the �harks. According to Coach Simpson, “She is a humble player; she works hard at practice, and truly loves the game.” Kiersten is a sophomore transfer student from SUNY Oneonta. Coach Simpson says, “We are lucky to have Kiersten transfer back home to join the Suffolk volleyball team.” Having a presence on the court, Simpson describes Kiersten as a, “strong, loud and aggressive player. She is great to watch when she gets more excited for a teammates accomplishments then her own.” With great teamwork, dedication,

respect and passion, Coach Simpson believes the team will go far. The goal is always to win the region and make it to nationals, “That is always what the girls are working to”, says Simpson. This year’s team looks promising, and they are set for another successful year. Simpson says, “They have many talents on the court, strong hitters, big blockers, tough defense, but I love that these girls know the true meaning of being a team and what a teammate really is.” The �harks played their first match on September 3rd. They beat Hostos Community College with a score of three games to none.

The Lions defense has allowed more than seven points in a game just twice this season and have yielded 60 points overall, through the first six games. By scoring four times more than the opponent, Nassau isn’t going to have a problem winning games. They haven’t been relying on star senior players, either. Nassau has been able to spread the wealth and possesses numerous ways to score.

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�ophomore quarterback Troy �ones has led the Lions to victory at every chance he has had this season. �ones has completed 56 of 97 attempts this season, along with 10 touchdowns. His longest play of the year went for 82 yards and he is averaging just over 1�0 per game. �ones has plenty of talented wide outs to throw the ball to, but if there’s a favorite target he has, that very well may be sophomore Antwane Grant. Grant has found the end zone six times this season, including three in the win against Hudson Valley. Grant has three 100-yard receiving games and has made at least a reception during every game, except one. When they’re not throwing the ball, the Lions have a great option in sophomore running back Travis Lock, who has been a big part of the offense this year and has made some big runs all season long. Lock has gained �23 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries. His longest run of the season was 56 yards.

“I believe that hard work beats talent, every time talent does not work hard” Kim Simpson, head coach

Suffolk Girls Volleyball

With these offensive options, the Lions can be an unpredictable group, and can win games in different ways. Grant and �ones have created problems for their opponents so far because they are both so dynamic.

f there’s one word to describe the Nassau Community College football team, it’s “dominant”. The Lions are plain and simple destroying their opponents this season and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Girls Lions are off to a 6-1 start and have Suffolk Volleyball proven, time after time, that they will be a team to beat going forward. Nassau has been on a roll and is building more momentum and confidence with every win, making it that much more difficult for another team to stop them.

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The Lions will look to both of these players to keep doing what they have been as they continue. The Lions had their toughest game of the season recently, and the results were different this time. Nassau suffered its lone loss of the season, which snapped a six game winning streak. The Lions fell to Georgia Military College, the �1 ranked school, by a �5-22 score. Playing the top seeded school is always tough, but Nassau has the talent and mentality to bounce back. The Lions have a few games remaining on their schedule. They will take on Louisburg College, Globe Tech and ASA College to close out the regular season.

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ST. JOSEPH’S BAS SOLID FOUNDATIO THE FUTURE

STORY BY BRIAN PHOTOS BY MOR

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SEBALL BUILDING ON FOR

COLEMAN RGAN HARRISON

he first season with a new head coach at a college baseball program is never easy as both the coach and the players need to get acquainted with one another.

“Throughout this season, we just wanted to continue to get better game after game,” said Garrett. “We have been up and down but as we prepare for the conference tournament we are ready to go.”

When you only have two months to prepare for the season after taking that job, the task becomes even more difficult with little time before its time to compete at the collegiate level. That was the situation head coach Richard Garrett was in as he entered his first season as the head coach of the St. Joseph Eagles baseball team on Long Island.

After losing three straight games in mid-April, St. Joseph’s won four of its final five games to finish the regular season. Led by a number of juniors and seniors, the Eagles were entering the conference tournament with a bit of momentum.

“I only got the job in January so it was a little tough early,” said Garrett. “It took some time to get know the guys and for them to get to know me, with only a couple of months to do so.” Garrett came to the Eagles with a very strong resume, making the transition a smooth and painless one. Before arriving at St. Joseph’s, Garrett was the head coach of St. Dominic’s baseball team on Long Island, leading a successful program which only enhanced understanding for the Long Island baseball landscape, which is necessary because 29 players on the Eagles roster played their high school ball on Long Island. While at St. Dominic’s, Garrett led his teams to four league titles and one Catholic league championship. In his first year at the helm of St. Joseph’s, he set out to build the foundation for a successful Division III college program. The goal entering this 2014 campaign was to compete for the Skyline Conference championship and strive for a birth into the NCAA Tournament. In 2013, the Eagles reached the Skyline Conference tournament but fell short in the first round to Maritime, so Garrett inherited a team that was motivated to get back to the Skyline championships.

“The pitching staff has been consistent all year long,” said Garrett. “If we can get some key situational hitting we definitely have a chance.” The offense this season has been led by a senior and a freshman, demonstrating the balance of young and old on the team that has the St. Joseph’s community excited about the future of the program. Freshman outfielder Anthony Bonilla played his high school baseball at Farmingdale, and made a major addition to the Eagles lineup this season, hitting .298 and finishing second on the team in total at bats. He roped nine doubles to lead the team and added in nine stolen bases as well. The heart of the lineup is captain outfielder and pitcher Dan Diblasi. The 6’0 senior from Lindenhurst had a fantastic year in his final season, leading the Eagles in at bats (120), batting average (.342), home runs (1), runs batted in (24), hits (41) and slugging percentage (.408). Diblasi is just one of two seniors who got at bats this season and was the unequivocal leader. “I could tell right away that Dan was a special kid,” praised Garrett. “Within three practices I knew that he was going to be the leader. He knows how to keep the guys up beat and has taken on the role of leading by example.”

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Leading the team in a number of different offensive categories would be enough for most players, but Diblasi’s contributions were not limited to the batter’s box. The senior toed the rubber nine times this season and was the starting pitcher for eight games, also the most on the team. Diblasi led the Eagles with 53 innings pitched and struck out 31 batters compared to just 12 walks. Despite his deceiving 3-5 record, he led the rest of the starting pitchers with a 2.38 earned run average, giving his team a chance when he was handed the ball. “He is just an all-around phenomenal kid,” added Garrett. The most impressive part of his monstrous offensive numbers is how rarely he struck out. In 120 at bats he struck out only seven times, just once every 17 at bats. For a player who was the primary run producer for his team, striking out that little is an impressive achievement that illustrates how patient and consistent Diblasi was. The Eagles were entering the Skyline Conference tournament winners of four of its last five games and with confidence as it drew a first round matchup with Maritime, a familiar foe. “We had split with them in the regular season so we knew what to expect,” said Garrett. “The guys learned a lot from last years’ experience and were really excited

about getting the chance to play them again.” The Eagles would exact revenge, and to no surprise, were led by its leader Diblasi. The senior tossed a gem, throwing a complete game shutout while adding in a hit and one run scored. Unfortunately for St. Joseph’s, the playoff run would come to an end, as it would lose against topseeded SUNY Old Westbury 4-1 and then to Purchase 10-2, knocking the Eagles out of the double-elimination tournament. While one of the goals this season was to reach the NCAA Tournament, the St. Joseph’s Eagles baseball team took steps in the right direction. The loss of Diblasi will be a major one that needs to be plugged up; there are a number of underclassmen who will be back next year with experience and confidence. With one season in the books in the Richard Garrett era, the Eagles will look to continue the progress of growing as players and people next season. “I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to coach at St. Joseph’s College and to continue to build on a successful program,” said Garrett. “As a program we will build a strong foundation for our players based on work ethic, leadership, responsibility and accountability. This foundation will allow players to reach their full potential as Division III student-athletes.”

ULTIMATE ATHLETE

NUTRITION

FITTING FAT INTO Written by Sandy Sarcona

hree macronutrients make up calories: Protein, fat and carbohydrate (carbs). Protein is the magic macronutrient among athletes as it is equated with muscle, and followed by carbs for fuel. But where does that leave fat? Most athletes have a fear of eating fat since they think its role is just to make them fat! The truth is that not all fat is bad. There are different kinds of fat and getting the right types and amount is important for your health and your performance. As an athlete, you need some fat in your diet to add flavor, for essential fatty acids needed in your body, to absorb fat-soluble nutrients and to serve as a source of energy. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 20 to 25 percent of calories in your diet to come from fat. Translation: If you are eating about 2500 to 3000 calories per day you would need about 70 to 85 grams of fat. Look at the label on a small bag of potato chips and see that it provides 11 grams of fat in one ounce and realize how easily you can go overboard on fat just from overeating high fat snacks. A quarter pound cheeseburger with a large order of fries will deliver your daily allotment of about 70 grams of fat! Be smart and go for heart healthier unsaturated fats. That would mean opting for monounsaturated fats like olive oil and peanut butter, and polyunsaturated fats like fish. The saturated fats that come from animal products can build up cholesterol and start the artery clogging process even at your young age. Too much fat can slow you down especially if you have a high fat meal before practice or competition, so save those French fries for after the game! You do not want to restrict fat, but think about replacing higher fat versions with healthier choices:

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O A FITNESS DIET

•

Limit fried foods: Try baked or broiled items.

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Choose leaner proteins: Try more chicken, fish, turkey, beans and egg whites. Limit red meat to 4 oz. two-three times per week.

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Switch from whole milk dairy to low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese; choose ice cream that is reduced in fat.

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Cut back on added butter, margarine, mayonnaise and salad dressing or substitute lower fat or light versions of these.

It is all a balancing act of macronutrient intake. The bulk of your diet should come from complex carbohydrates like whole grain breads and cereals, vegetables and fruit; lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, egg whites (four whole eggs per week is the recommended amount); non-fat or low fat dairy, and healthy added fats. Choosing from all of these foods every day along with your sports drinks and lots of water is the optimal fitness diet!

here are no butts about it; strong glutes are a key component of athletic success! Lame puns aside for a moment, though, the muscles that make up the gluteal group (gluteus maximus, medius and minimus) really do play an integral role in your ability to perform at your best and avoid injury. Unfortunately, because young athletes tend to spend so much time overusing the muscles that act on the front of the hip joint, the glutes not only often go underutilized, but in many instances, effectively end up “shutting down”. When this happens, improvements in things like speed and power become virtually non existent and injury potential increases exponentially. So before you just head blindly into the weight room and possibly make matters worse, take a few minutes to assess whether or not your glutes are firing properly. By simply doing some of the self assessments featured below (as well as following up with any necessary corrective strengthening and stretching drills), you’ll quickly begin to realize just how important it is to keep these muscles functioning properly. Better still, before long you should see a noticeable difference in your performance on the field.

ASSESSMENTS Thomas Test: This simple test is an excellent way to see of your hip flexors and/ or quadriceps (as well as your iliotibial bands) are too tight. If any of them are, they can often inhibit optimal firing of the glutes. Stand near the edge of a bench, or table with your butt touching the edge. Next, lie back hugging both knees to your chest. Keeping one leg in contact with your chest, allow the other to extend away from your body. Let the leg drop as far as possible, without increasing the arch in your lower back.

•

You’re looking for your leg to drop down in line with, or slightly below your hip and your knee to bend less than 45 degrees, with everything in a straight line.

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If your leg doesn’t drop down in line with your hip and your knee bends more than 45 degrees, your hip flexors are too tight.

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If your leg does line up with your hip, but your knee bends less than 45 degrees, your quads are too tight.

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If your leg externally rotates in any of the above positions, your ITB is too tight.

Cook hip lift: Here’s a great test developed by renowned physical therapist and movement specialist, Gray Cook. It’s a quick and easy way to assess if your glutes are working properly. Begin by lying on the ground and bending both knees about 90 degrees with your feet flat on the floor. Next, bend one knee and bring it towards your chest and place a tennis ball between your thigh and the lower portion of the rib cage. Hug the back of your knee to keep the ball in this position and press your other foot into the ground (by emphasizing pushing through the heel) to lift your hips and lower torso. If the Thomas test revealed that you had tight hip flexors, you may have trouble getting very high off the ground. Make sure that you do not attempt to get up higher than you’re able to by excessively arching your lower back. If you feel the drill in your glutes, that’s great! If you feel it only in your hamstrings, that’s a sign that your glutes are not firing properly and can indicate potential lower back problems down the road. If you only feel the drill in the front of your hip and thigh, your glutes are completely out to lunch and you’re a prime candidate for injury.

CORRECTIVE STRETCHING/ STRENGTHENING DRILLS Depending on how much your glute function is compromised, the following corrective exercises can go a long way towards helping eliminate any imbalances.

Stretch and mobilize the muscles that act on the front of the hip:

•

Foam roll TFL (tensor fasciae latae) and quadriceps: To roll the TFL, lie down on a foam roller, packing the meaty part of the front of your hip on the roller. Go back and forth slowly, 4-6 times, using your arms and lower body to control how much weight you give to the roller. To roll your quadriceps,

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position yourself face down on one end of the roller, with the top of your thigh on the roller and your forearms down in a plank position. Once ready, use your arms and other leg that’s off to the side, to move yourself from the bottom of your hip, down towards the back of the knee and back again. Try 4-6 slow repetitions. •

High kneeling hip flexor stretch: Get down into a high kneeling position with your back leg lined up directly behind your front leg (this will place your back hip into a slight internal rotation). Next, contract your core and glutes of the back leg to hold a posterior pelvic tilt, as you lean your weight forward onto your front leg. You should feel the stretch from the front of your right hip, down into your quadriceps. Hold for 30-60 seconds and then switch legs.

Strengthen the glutes:

•

Supine hip bridging: Lie on your back with your knees bent about 90 degrees and feet flat on the ground. Begin by bracing your core, as you push through your heels to lift your hips and lower torso off the ground. Once you’ve reached the point where your body forms a ramp from your shoulders to your knees, hold for a second, then lower and repeat. Try 1012 repetitions. For an added challenge, try the same drill one leg at a time with the other leg held up over your hips.

•

Clamshells: Lie on your side with your knees bent about 90 degrees, feet in line with your hips and a mini band positioned just above your knees. Keeping your feet, hips and shoulders stacked, lift your top knee as far away from your bottom one as possible, without leaning your hips back or separating your feet. Hold the top position for a second, then lower back down and repeat until you’ve done 12-15 repetitions per side.

•

Squats: Even though these do work the quadriceps and hamstrings as well, a properly done squat is one of the best glute exercises you can do. The key to performing a good squat is initiating the movement with a “hip break” (instead of just driving the knees forward) and keeping most of the weight on the heels and outside parts of the feet.

GLUTES MUSCLES

IN THE END While it’s easy to overlook the contribution of muscles you can’t see in the mirror, it’s important to understand what an integral role the glutes play in terms of optimizing athletic performance. Use yours for nothing more than a seat cushion and besides being unable to make any wholesale changes in speed and power, you may find yourself a frequent visitor to the disabled list. Bottom line; make sure you don’t ignore your bottom line!

To Protect “The ability to stay in attack mode is the most important skill an athlete can develop.”

he simple question you see in this title is one every athlete faces at some point during a match, and the answer to this question, will usually determine who wins and who loses. It makes no difference if you play soccer, lacrosse, golf, tennis, or wrestling. You will invariably face this key question at some point in every game. This choice usually emerges when the player senses he or she is closing in on a win. When they realize this they will often slow down and start to protect the lead. This is called ‘praying it in,” but no matter how many Hail Mary’s you recite when you start to protect the lead you are going down a losing path. Let’s cite a few examples of this problem. Lets say you are playing golf and you are even after nine holes. You begin to realize that you are about to qualify or win the match and that is the fatal error. The reality is you still have nine holes to play. You begin to play safe, swing softer, lag putts and do your best to avoid bogeys. And this produces mistakes every time. Or let’s take a soccer match. Your team is up 3-1 with 20 minutes to go. Your side begins to slow down play to kill time and to protect the lead. Your coach may even tell you to do this. Simultaneously, the other team has nothing to lose and starts to play more aggressively. Many games are lost this way. The story is the same in wrestling when the player has a lead with two minutes remaining and he starts to hold on and not make mistakes. He loses aggression and quickly loses the lead.

“Starting to play with caution is a sign of protecting the lead and will lead to poor shot making.”

HY DOES THIS HAPPEN? It is easy to see why and how this occurs. When you start to protect the lead you immediately lose aggression and positive focus. In golf, good play comes from attacking pins. In fencing, it is the same. Good play comes when you attack the opponent. But when you are about to close out a match while in the lead, players turn off the attack switch and turn on the protect switch. When you try to protect your lead you no longer focus on winning, but rather on not losing. This is certain death. When you unconsciously try to avoid mistakes you will start to make them more and more. It is almost like you are telling yourself to fail. When a batter is trying not to strike out, he may do so, but it is far better to just try to hit. Trying not to fail produces weak, tentative and cautious play and this will not lead to positive results.

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or Attack?

By Dr. Tom Ferraro

“Learn to keep on the attack by being aware of when you start to protect, and then switch back on the attack mode.”

HAT TO DO ABOUT THIS?

We see that protecting the lead is bad news and attacking is good news. So how do you adopt this strategy? Here is the answer so listen carefully and post this on your bedroom wall to read before every match. 1) Become acquainted with your mental and emotional state when you play well. Find out what are your emotions and the words you tend to say to yourself when playing well. When have you felt this way and performed this way in the past? Write down a word that encapsulates this.

“When an athlete tries not to make a mistake is when he or she will make one. If the batter is trying not to strike out, he will.”

he most important psychological state for a player is this confident attack mode. So, if you want to play to your full potential and with far greater consistency, post this article on your wall and memorize its content. Then follow through with the tips every match you play. If you make a mistake during play, or if you sense you are closing in on the win and are becoming protective, go back to your confident attack mode every time.

2) Become aware of the moment you start to protect the lead. This moment will usually be accompanied by tense feelings, worry and negative thoughts. It can also be triggered with your first mistake of the game. 3) Make a commitment to yourself before every game that the moment you sense you are starting to protect the lead you flip on the attack switch and go back to your basic attack mode. This is when you conjure up the feeling of confidence that you are familiar with from the past. Recall that feeling from the past and go back to it. It is like creating a bubble that surrounds you, where you play with aggression, positive thoughts and confidence.

NASSAU LIONS OFF TO A STRONG SEASON Story By Kevin Freiheit // Photos By Kevin Sperandeo

NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL

In their six wins this season, Nassau has put up 240 points, an average of 40 points per game. Those numbers increased after the Lions defeated Hudson Valley Community College 68-20 in a game that got out of hand quickly. The Lions defense has allowed more than seven points in a game just twice this season and have yielded 60 points overall, through the first six games. By scoring four times more than the opponent, Nassau isn’t going to have a problem winning games. They haven’t been relying on star senior players, either. Nassau has been able to spread the wealth and possesses numerous ways to score. Sophomore quarterback Troy Jones has led the Lions to victory at every chance he has had this season. Jones has completed 56 of 97 attempts this season, along with 10 touchdowns. His longest play of the year went for 82 yards and he is averaging just over 140 per game. Jones has plenty of talented wide outs to throw the ball to, but if there’s a favorite target he has, that very well may be sophomore Antwane Grant. Grant has found the end zone six times this season, including three in the win against Hudson Valley. Grant has three 100-yard receiving games and has made at least a reception during every game, except one. When they’re not throwing the ball, the Lions have a great option in sophomore running back Travis Lock, who has been a big part of the offense this year and has made some big runs all season long. Lock has gained 423 yards and three touchdowns on 93 carries. His longest run of the season was 56 yards. With these offensive options, the Lions can be an unpredictable group, and can win games in different ways. Grant and Jones have created problems for their opponents so far because they are both so dynamic.

f there’s one word to describe the Nassau Community College football team, it’s “dominant”. The Lions are plain and simple destroying their opponents this season and have shown no signs of slowing down. The Lions are off to a 6-1 start and have proven, time after time, that they will be a team to beat going forward. Nassau has been on a roll and is building more momentum and confidence with every win, making it that much more difficult for another team to stop them.

The Lions will look to both of these players to keep doing what they have been as they continue. The Lions had their toughest game of the season recently, and the results were different this time. Nassau suffered its lone loss of the season, which snapped a six game winning streak. The Lions fell to Georgia Military College, the #1 ranked school, by a 45-22 score. Playing the top seeded school is always tough, but Nassau has the talent and mentality to bounce back. The Lions have a few games remaining on their schedule. They will take on Louisburg College, Globe Tech and ASA College to close out the regular season.

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Adelphi University

GOLDEN EAGLES The ADELPHI LADY Panthers are In It to WinYORK It NEW INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLO GY Story by Brian Coleman | Photos by Bill Kelly

he Adelphi Panthers womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team rides into their 2013 season with VRPH XQÂżQLVKHG EXVLQHVV WR WDNH FDUH of following a tough loss to conclude their 2012 season. After a winning season, Adelphi upset a couple of teams on its way to the championship game in the Northeastern-10 conference playoffs. The Lady Panthers reached the championship game of the conference WRXUQDPHQW IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ program history. The offense was led E\ WZR VHQLRUV ZKR SDFHG WKH JRDO scoring for the Lady Panthers, Emily Masiello and Kaitlin Monteith, who led Adelphi in scoring. Monteith led the team in goals with eight, while Masiello scored seven goals, including WZR LQ WKH ÂżUVW URXQG SOD\RII JDPH WR JR DORQJ ZLWK KHU ÂżYH DVVLVWV RQ WKH VHDVRQ

The Lady Panthers did just that in the opening URXQG Ă&#x20AC;LSSLQJ WKH VFULSW RQ $PHULFDQ ,QWHUQDWLRQDO DQG GHIHDWLQJ WKHP LQ WKH TXDUWHUÂżQDO ,W ZDV D EDFN DQG IRUWK DIIDLU WKDW ZDV NHSW VFRUHOHVV DOO WKH ZD\ LQWR WKH QG PLQXWH XQWLO 0DVLHOOR EURNH WKH scoreless tie. She added another goal in the 90th minute to secure the victory and the upset, as Adelphi PRYHG RQ WR WKH VHPLÂżQDOV

That was all Adelphi needed on the day as goalie Sam Whitney did what VKH KDG GRQH DOO \HDU :KLWQH\ UHFRUGHG ÂżYH VDYHV DQG NHSW 0HUULPDFN RXW of the net, posting yet another shutout as the Lady Panthers advanced to LWV ÂżUVW FRQIHUHQFH WLWOH JDPH ,W ZDV DOVR WKH WK ZLQ RI WKH VHDVRQ IRU Adelphi, notching the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest win total since 2008.

Goalie Sam Whitney continued her excellence, VKXWWLQJ RXW WKH <HOORZMDFNHWV RI $PHULFDQ International while recording six saves en route to the victory.

'HVSLWH WKH ORVV ZDV ZLWKRXW D GRXEW D JRRG \HDU IRU WKH $GHOSKL Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer program. Head coach Chris Armas led the Lady Panthers WR LWV ÂżUVW HYHU FKDPSLRQVKLS JDPH DQG QRWFKHG LWV KLJKHVW ZLQ WRWDO LQ ÂżYH years. With that, Adelphi headed into 2013 with some high expectations and goals to go even further than they did a year ago.

7KH /DG\ 3DQWKHUV WKHQ KHDGHG XS WR 0HUULPDFN &ROOHJH WR WDNH RQ WKH :DUULRUV LQ D VHPLÂżQDO PDWFKXS ,W GLGQÂśW WDNH PLQXWHV WR ÂżQG D JRDO LQ WKLV JDPH DV 'RQQD /LRWRQH IRXQG WKH EDFN RI WKH QHW RQ D SHQDOW\ NLFN WR SXW $GHOSKL XS 1-0 in the 46th minute.

Adelphi carried a 9-6-3 regular season record into the NE-10 conference playoffs in 2012, and drew a matchup with the top team in the conference, $PHULFDQ ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &ROOHJH -XVW RQH ZHHN SULRU the Lady Panthers lost to American International DQG NQHZ WKH\ KDG WR UHGHHP themselves in the playoffs.

The lone loss of the season so far came to a fantastic opponent in Saint Rose College. The 3rd ranked team in the country at the time, Saint Rose posed a big challenge than the Lady Panthers were prepared to meet head on.

Story by Jaclynkelli Kronemberg // Photos by Morgan Harrison

While the statistics of the game would show that Saint Rose dominated it, outshooting Adelphi 17-8 and winning the corner advantage 10-2, Adelphi was able to hold its own and really proved it belonged with the top teams.

nyit womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis

Now, Adelphi did lose its top two scorers from a year ago, Emily St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team Masiello and Kaitlin Monteith, and had to have some players step The up this gotaoff season. With only 3 seniors, the Lady Panthers are relying on lottoofa rough start this season but is looking to turn things around with their underclassmen to carry the load this season. conference play. The Golden Eagles won Off to a 7-1-2 start, Adelphi is in very good shape at this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Skyline Conference Championship PLGSRLQW 7KHLU OHDGLQJ JRDO VFRUHU 2OLYLD &]DYDU KDV VWHSSHG XS ELJ last season and are looking to defend WLPH HDUO\ RQ &]DYDU VFRUHG IRXU JRDOV DOO RI ODVW VHDVRQ EXW KDV IRXQG their title. WKH EDFN RI WKH QHW VL[ WLPHV DOUHDG\ WKLV VHDVRQ 6KH OHDGV WKH WHDP LQ â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been playing nonJRDOV SRLQWV DQG VKRWV RQ JRDO DQG VKH VFRUHG D JRDO LQ HDFK RI WKH ÂżUVW conference games against top level four games. teams in division three soccer to get us ready for our conference play,â&#x20AC;? said senior defender Terrence Dzus, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did this last season and it worked well being that we won the Skyline conference and made it to the NCAA tournament.â&#x20AC;?

The Golden Eagles Looking to Defend Their Title

While the offense was consistent for the Panthers ODVW VHDVRQ WKH JLUO EHWZHHQ WKH SLSHV SOD\HG outstanding for them. Sam Whitney was a sophomore last season, and was an anchor as the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goalie. She started in 20 of the 21 games, including playoffs last year, and possessed 0.84 goals against average. Whitney recorded 104 saves on the season while allowing just 18 goals.

BEARS

Unfortunately, the Lady Panthers offense came up short and Whitney ÂżQDOO\ DOORZHG D JRDO LQ WKH 1RUWKHDVWHUQ FRQIHUHQFH FKDPSLRQVKLS game as they lost to Southern New Hampshire University 1-0.

conference play. The Golden Eagles have two wins, 10 losses and two ties so far this season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This season has had its up and downs,â&#x20AC;? said junior forward Fabio Alves, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luck has not been in our favor but we are a strong team and we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give up. We have stayed together through the good and bad times and our goals remain the same. We will continue to be relentless and strive for perfection as the season goes on.â&#x20AC;? St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal is the same every year to win the conference and get to the NCAA tournament.

This season they started off with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let our goal go,â&#x20AC;? said WRXJK VFKHGXOH SOD\LQJ ÂżYH QDWLRQDOO\ St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer head coach ranked teams in their non-conference Tim Trava, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have had a few terrible play to get the team ready for their losses against nationally ranked teams.

We now start our conference play, and WKH NLGV DUH SOD\LQJ FRQÂżGHQWO\ Â´ &RDFK Trava is entering his second year as the head coach. Last year, he took them to WKH ÂżUVW URXQG RI WKH 1&$$ WRXUQDPHQW â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach motivates us and brings the team together like a family,â&#x20AC;? said VRSKRPRUH PLGÂżHOGHU +HQU\ 7LUDGR Âł+H LV DQ RXWVWDQGLQJ KHDG FRDFK :H are lucky to have such a great coaching staff teaching us and pushing us to play our best.â&#x20AC;? Trava went to school and played soccer for St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s college from 2000-2004. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach understands us because he played here, too,â&#x20AC;? said Dzus, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have enjoyed playing for him and wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to play for anyone else. +H ZDQWV XV WR LPSURYH HDFK DQG HYHU\

HOFSTRA U

Âł:H VKRZHG VSLULW ÂżJKW KHDUW DQG ZHQW WRH WR WRH day, and is always pushing us to become team.â&#x20AC;? with one thewe best the of best canteams be.â&#x20AC;? in the country,â&#x20AC;? said Adelphi Alves was rookie of the year last head coach Chris Armas, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any coach would be proud St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduated nine starters season, and is one of the captains for the of that effort and I believe wholeheartedly in the group and are playing with 15 new athletes. team this season. Alves is the leading of girls we have.â&#x20AC;? There is no doubt that Armas and the The Golden Eagles have a newer team scorer on the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fabio is the engine rest of Adelphi should be proud and excited at the recent RI WKH WHDP Â´ VDLG 7UDYD Âł+H LV RXU JR WR made up of freshman and transfers. success of the program. Following a year in which guy on offense.â&#x20AC;? haveUHDFKHG 15 new players WKH /DG\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;We 3DQWKHUV LWV ÂżUVW 1( and &RQIHUHQFH

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love coaching here,â&#x20AC;? said Trava, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a dream come true. It is an honor to be coaching here. These kids are great they work hard and making coaching fun and enjoyable. The future is bright for this program with the talent we have in our freshman and transfers.â&#x20AC;?

Tirado is a transfer from the Air force returned game, 14 players lastbeseason,â&#x20AC;? Championship they from look to poised to return said Dzus, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The difference was felt right $FDGHP\ DQG KDG WR VLW RXW WKH ÂżUVW KDOI WR WKDW JDPH DQG WDNH FDUH RI VRPH XQÂżQLVKHG EXVLQHVV away, losing the starters from last year of the season due to NCAA regulations Since that loss, the Lady Panthers havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost in that I have played with for the past three IRU WUDQVIHUULQJ Âł+HQU\ ZLOO EH D KXJH WKH ODVW ÂżYH FRQWHVWV 7KH\ SOD\HG D WLH DJDLQVW seasons, but after realizing the talent this FRQWULEXWRU IRU XV Â´ VDLG 7UDYD Âł+H KDV Assumption College, preventing them from carrying a team has to offer, I believe we can win extreme energy and we are a different ÂżYH JDPH ZLQQLQJ VWUHDN RQWR WKHLU QH[W RSSRQHQW the Skyline championship again.â&#x20AC;? team when he plays.â&#x20AC;? All that remains on Adelphiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule are Dzus is a four year starter and the The Golden Eagles have started to 1RUWKHDVWHUQ RSSRQHQWV DQG WKH\ FXUUHQWO\ VLW DWRS captain of this team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Terrence is the turn around their season winning two those standings. It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easy, but the Adelphi heart and soul of this team,â&#x20AC;? said Trava, games in a row. Their last win was huge 3DQWKHUV VHHP WR EH WKH IDYRULWH WR ZLQ WKHLU ÂżUVW Âł+H LV WKH OHDGHU WKDW HYHU\RQH ORRNV XS beating the number one team in their conference championship program history. to, and helps out theinyounger kids on the conference Mt. St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

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MORE THAN LOVE

HOFSTRA PRIDE

Story and Photos by Justin Mackin

hemistry, a recurring theme within the New York Institute of Technologyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tennis team, seems to be catalyzing the team towards another successful season. The Bears are coming off of a win in their season opener, and it appears that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re picking up right where they left off last year as 2012 ECC Champions. The Bears defeated Philadelphia 9-0 this past Sunday in their season opener to bring them to 1-0, and now have their eyes set on the next match, Friday 9/13 against Daemen College.

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Since Coach Chris Frusci took over as head coach in 2011 the Bears have seen a winning trend within the program. For the 2013 season the

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Bears have 5 new additions to the team and they are going to have to look to returning players like Sara Burinato, the ECC preseason player of the year, to maintain the success. This year Coach Frusci is focusing on strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The response has been great, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting more players healthy and preventing more injuries that way;â&#x20AC;? so far the coach and the players agree, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paying off.

and cohesion among the team, even from observing just one practice. The FKHPLVWU\ LV HYLGHQW LQ WKH ÂżUVW PDWFK where the bears swept the doubles with the teams of Sara Burinato & Claudia Sanchez Gonzalez, Melanie Benyadi & Gabrela Siembab, and Rocio Benavent & Madalina Florea. While Sanchez Gonzalez, Siembab, Benavent, Florea, Burinato, and Benyadi all took their singles matches to contribute WR WKH ÂżUVW PDWFK ZLQ RI WKH VHDVRQ Despite missing two key players in the ÂżUVW PDWFK &HOLD 5HVSDXW DQG $OHVVLD Rossetti, the Bears look to be off to D JRRG VWDUW 'HÂżQLWHO\ D SURJUDP WR watch as they are favored in the ECC again this year.

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The strength and conditioning regimen may be one of the recipes for success, but team chemistry could be another. With a team of such diverse backgrounds and 5 new girls this year, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite impressive to see such team unity. One can sense a common goal

Story by Jaclynkelli Kronemberg Photos by Bill Kelly

ast year the Hofstra womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team won the Colonial Athletic Conference, DQG PDGH LW WR WKH ÂżUVW URXQG RI the NCAA tournament where they lost to Boston College. This year they are striving for a repeat as conference champions, and make it back to the NCAA tournament.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year we want to win the CAA for a second year in a row,â&#x20AC;? said senior GHIHQGHU PLGÂżHOGHU 7DUD .HUQV Âł1R RQH has ever won it two years in a row. We also want to make it far in the NCAA tournament, this program has grown competitively over the years and we have no limits on our potential as a team.â&#x20AC;? The Pride currently has eight wins,

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DOWLING COLLEGE POST PIONEERS

ST. JOSEPHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COLLEGE golden lions

Story by Kevin Freiheit Photos by Morgan Harrison

GOLDEN EAGLES DOWLING UNIVERSITY four losses and one tie overall and in conference they have two wins one loss and one tie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a fairly solid team and are playing well,â&#x20AC;? said Hofstra womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer head coach Simon Riddiough, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have good players with experience that have come back, and we are playing FRQÂżGHQWO\ :H NQRZ HYHU\ JDPH LV D battle we just have to be consistent in our games and we can win our conference again.â&#x20AC;? Coach Riddiough is entering his eighth year as the head coach of The Pride. Since he started coaching in 2005, the Hofstra womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team has won the CAA conference three times and has gone to the NCAA tournament four

times, advancing to the second round of the tournament twice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coach Simon is not only a great coach, but is also a great person and friend,â&#x20AC;? said Kerns, â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the main reasons I chose Hofstra is because of the coaching staff. Coach Simon and coach Tobi both know how to get the job done and how to have fun at the same time.â&#x20AC;? The womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer team only lost three seniors to graduation, one of them being a starter. The Hofstra Pride is stacked with talented players that know what it is like to play in the NCAA tournament and want to get back there. They have a strong offensive starting XQLW WKDW LV OHG E\ VRSKRPRUH PLGÂżHOGHU /HDK *DOWRQ DQG MXQLRU PLGÂżHOGHU 6DP Scolarici.

The defense is led by seniors Tara Kerns, Ruby Staplehurst and Brittany Farriella. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These three are tremendous players and great leaders,â&#x20AC;? said Riddiough. Kerns is a three year starter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tara does all the dirty work for us,â&#x20AC;? said Riddiough, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is hard working, and is our connection between the defense and offense.â&#x20AC;? Staplehurst led the team in assists last season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ruby is a great defender and is dangerous offensively,â&#x20AC;? said Riddiough. Farriella is a three year starter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brittany works hard and keeps us organized as a unit,â&#x20AC;? Riddiough said. Hofstra is in for a challenge in the CAA conference. William and Mary and James Madison are always in contention for the conference title. If the Hofstra Pride continues to play hard, they can get back to where they ended last season.

Galton shined as a freshman last season, earning the Colonial Athletic Association rookie of the year. She also earned all-CAA rookie team, allâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We have good team chemistry, &$$ ÂżUVW WHDP DQG ZDV D 16&$$ DOO PLGDWODQWLF ÂżUVW WHDP SLFN 6KH OHG everyone is buying into the system and Hofstra in goals as a freshman, and was working hard,â&#x20AC;? said Riddiough, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m second in the CAA in goals and points. happy with the way we are playing right This season Galton was listed as the now.â&#x20AC;? conference preseason player of the year. So far this season Galton has six goals and eight assists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leah is big, fast and strong,â&#x20AC;? said Riddiough, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is a very good player.â&#x20AC;? Scolarici is currently leading the nation in goals with 13 goals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sam works KDUG DQG LV SOD\LQJ ZLWK FRQÂżGHQFH Â´ said Riddiough, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She knows where the goal is and is always looking to score.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Story by Kevin Freiheit Photos by Morgan Harrison

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

IDE

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer Stands Tall We have a tremendous roster and we have already won more games this year than all of last year.

Head coach John DiRico

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IWHU D GLVDSSRLQWLQJ ÂżQLVK WR ODVW RQ WKH \HDU 7KH 3LRQHHUV DUH IDFLQJ he Dowling College menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer GHFOLQLQJ DQG WKH\ KDYH ORVW WKDW ZLQQLQJ VHDVRQ WKH /RQJ ,VODQG 8QLYHUVLW\ DQ HHULO\ VLPLODU VLWXDWLRQ WR WKH RQH WHDP ZDV XQVDWLVÂżHG ZLWK WKHLU WRXFK WKH\ KHOG RQWR IRU VR ORQJ 3RVW 3LRQHHUV DUH ORRNLQJ WR JHW WKDW WKH\ ZHUH LQ ODVW VHDVRQ EXW DUH results from a year ago. After 'L5LFR QRWHG WKDW WKH WHDP ORVW HLJKW EDFN ZKHUH WKH\ EHORQJ )ROORZLQJ WZR ORRNLQJ IRU D FRPSOHWHO\ RSSRVLWH SRVWLQJ D UHFRUG WKH *ROGHQ /LRQV JDPHV E\ RQO\ RQH JRDO ODVW \HDU EXW VXFFHVVIXO ZLQQLQJ IRRWEDOO VHDVRQV WKH RXWFRPH 'HVSLWH WKH WZR JDPH ORVLQJ knew that change was necessary. With UHJDUGOHVV LW ZDV VWLOO D GLVDSSRLQWLQJ 3LRQHHUV ÂżQLVKHG ZLWK D UHFRUG ODVW VWUHDN KHDG &RDFK %U\DQ &ROOLQV LV RQO\ UHWXUQLQJ SOD\HUV 'RZOLQJ KDV VHDVRQ 7KH *ROGHQ (DJOHV KDYH SOD\HG \HDU IDOOLQJ VKRUW RI WKHLU XOWLPDWH JRDO FRQÂżGHQW WKDW KLV WHDP FDQ JHW EDFN RQ WKH DOUHDG\ FROOHFWHG PRUH ZLQV WKDQ DOO RI LQ IRXU RQH JRDO JDPHV WKLV \HDU EXW KDYH ODVW \HDU E\ ZLQQLQJ WKUHH RI WKH ÂżUVW ÂżYH EHHQ RQ WKH ZLQQLQJ VLGH PRUH IUHTXHQWO\ 'HVSLWH ZLQQLQJ WKH ÂżUVW WZR JDPHV ULJKW WUDFN games this season. Story and Photos by Kevin Sperandeo RI WKH \HDU E\ D FRPELQHG VFRUH Âł, IXOO\ H[SHFW XV WR FRPSHWH Â´ :LWK DQ H[SHULHQFHG FRDFK OLNH /,8 ZDV XQDEOH WR NHHS WKH PRPHQWXP &ROOLQV VDLG Âł2XU JRDO LV WR JR +HDG FRDFK -RKQ 'L5LFR LV LQ KLV he'L5LFR 'RZOLQJ DOUHDG\ KDV D VWDUWLQJ St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer Garcia, a senior from Central Islip tied JRLQJ Âł:H %ORRPVEXUJ 8QLYHUVLW\ KDOWHG RQH ZHHN XS DQG RQH ZHHN GRZQ QG \HDU RI FRDFKLQJ DQG XQGHUVWDQGV SRLQW WR JHW EDFN RQ WUDFN KDYH team has made the playoffs every forD the most goals scored on the 2012 WKH HQHUJ\ DQG WKH 3LRQHHUV VWDUWHG DQ $WWDFN WKH QH[W RSSRQHQW Â´ 7KH ZKDW LW WDNHV WR ZLQ 7KH *ROGHQ /LRQV FRPSOHWHO\ GLIIHUHQW WHDP WKDQ ODVW \HDU Â´ year since 2002 but have yet to win a team. Samantha is a two time Skyline 3LRQHHUV KDYH EHHQ EDWWOLQJ LQMXULHV XQIRUWXQDWH VWULQJ RI GHIHDWV 7KURXJKRXW ZHUH 1DWLRQDO FKDPSLRQV LQ DQG 'L5LFR VDLG Âł:H KDYH D WUHPHQGRXV championship. The 4-2 (conference All-Conference. Coach Lee says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is WKH UHVW ZRQ RI WKH VHDVRQ /,8 ZRXOG RQO\ GXULQJ ERWK WKLV VHDVRQ DQG WKH ZRXOG FRQVLVWHQWO\ SRVW VHDVRQ RI URVWHU DQG ZH KDYH DOUHDG\ PRUH record) Golden Eagles have brought back the smallest player on the team with the ZLQ RQH RWKHU JDPH D YLFWRU\ RYHU ODVW RQH :KLOH PDQ\ FRDFKHV ZLOO RU PRUH ZLQV +RZHYHU RYHU WKH ODVW JDPHV WKLV \HDU WKDQ DOO RI ODVW \HDU Â´ six starters from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3rd place team. biggest heart. She is the best all around 0LOOHUVYLOOH 8QLYHUVLW\ RQ KRPHFRPLQJ QHYHU XVH LQMXULHV DV DQ H[FXVH WZR \HDUV WKHLU SHUIRUPDQFH KDV EHHQ Last year, St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season ended after a player on the team and a two year captain.â&#x20AC;? ZHHNHQG $ ORVLQJ VHDVRQ FDQ EH ORRNHG WKH\ FHUWDLQO\ KXUW WKH RYHUDOO 1-0 loss on a penalty kick goal in the semi Samantha was also a 2012 NCSAA AllDW LQ PRUH ZD\V WKDQ RQH :KLOH LW ZDVQÂśW TXDOLW\ RI WKH WHDP ÂżQDOV Region scholar athlete. Lee describes her WKH DQWLFLSDWHG RU ZDQWHG RXWFRPH WKH Âł2XU UXQQLQJ EDFN as a not only an outstanding player butVWDUWLQJ an The Golden Eagles are lead by head 3LRQHHUV XVHG WKH \HDU WR OHDUQ UHEXLOG KDV EDWWOHG DQ DQNOH LQMXU\ EXW coach Joseph Lee. Lee has beenDQG LPSURYH around the even better and nicer person. He says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;She KHÂśV SOD\LQJ WKURXJK LW Â´ &ROOLQV game for many years, he began coaching LV RQH RI P\ ÂżYH DOO WLPH IDYRULWH SOD\HUV DW 7KLV VHDVRQ WKH 3LRQHHUV JRW RII WR D VDLG Âł:HÂśYH EHHQ VWUXJJOLQJ in 1976 with the Sachem Youth Soccer St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.â&#x20AC;? KRW VWDUW DJDLQ ZLQQLQJ WKH RSHQLQJ SDLU ZLWK LQMXULHV ,I ZH FDQ JHW EDFN League. He brought the 16 and under Junior Jennifer Martino, a forward from RI JDPHV DQG VFRULQJ SRLQWV +RZHYHU KHDOWK\ ZHÂśOO FRQWLQXH WR JHW Sachem Tomahawks to the 1987 East Patchogue, is entering her second year /,8 WRRN D VWHS EDFNZDUGV DV WKH\ GURSSHG EHWWHU HDFK ZHHN Â´ 2QFH D IHZ national championship. This is at St. Josephs. Despite battling an injury, WKH QH[W WZR JDPHV IDOOLQJ EDFN WR RI WKH LQMXUHG SOD\HUV EHJLQ WR Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12th season coaching the she still managed to tie Garcia and Eden for Golden Eagles. Lee says, most goals scored last year. She is leading â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to win our the team in scoring this season. Lee says, conference and go to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is relentless in her desire to score. 1&$$ SOD\RIIV IRU WKH ÂżUVW She stands a good chance to be an Alltime.â&#x20AC;? Conference player this year.â&#x20AC;?

A few key players include Ashley George, Samantha Garcia, Jennifer Martino and Jamianne Eden.

6RSKRPRUH PLGÂżHOGHU DQG IRUZDUG Jamianne Eden from Ronkonkoma is another goal scorer for the eagles. She tied for most goals and led the team in assists in Senior center back, Ashley 2012. Jamianne is true student athlete with George from Bay Shore is a 2 year one of the highest GPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the team. Lee team captain. She is a 3 time all describes her as, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a very intelligent player conference player and ECAC All- with excellent skill. She shoots well with Metro team member. Excelling on both feet and can play anywhere in the DQG RII WKH ÂżHOG $VKOH\ ZDV D PLGÂżHOG RU XS IURQW Â´ and 2012 Skyline Soccer Scholar Working towards another playoff Athlete of the year and also made run and hopefully a championship, the the 2012 NSCAA All-Region Golden Eagles always manage to keep scholar team. Lee describes their composure. The team has won the her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ashley is a solid, fast, FRQIHUHQFH VSRUWVPDQVKLS DZDUG ÂżYH WLPHV take no prisoners center in the past eleven years and the college back with the ball skills of referees association sportsmanship award D PLGÂżHOGHU Â´ three times. The Golden Eagles won their 0LGÂżHOGHU 6DPDQWKD last game against Polytechnic 5-0.

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STONY BROOK

SEAW

BASEBALL THRIVES TO RETURN TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

STORY BY BRIAN COLEMAN PHOTOS BY KEVIN SPERANDEO

welve years ago, the Stony Brook University athletic program joined the field of Division I athletics, making the leap from Division III to the highest level of college athletics back in 2000. While this transition is often difficult for many programs, the Stony Brook baseball team has made the crossover look easy, and a lot of that is due to the stability at the head coach position. Matt Senk is currently in his 24th season at the helm of the Stony Brook Seawolves and continues to produce a winning team year in and year out. In 2004, in what was just its fourth season in Division I competition, the Seawolves reached the NCAA Tournament. Eight years later, in 2012, Senk and the Seawolves would go on one of the more magical runs in the history of the College World Series. The 2012 season was one of the most memorable in the history of the University, as the Seawolves won a school record 43 regular season games, eclipsing the previous school high of 42 victories. After winning 19 of its final 20 games, Stony Brook entered the America East tournament as the top-seed. After disposing of Maine and Binghamton, the Seawolves captured the America East championship and a spot in the Coral Gables Regional. Heading down south to what is widely considered the better baseball region, Stony Brook carried along with it Long Island pride and a bit of a chip on its shoulder. Facing off against the Miami Hurricanes, Stony Brook completely took apart the Hurricanes pitching in a 10-2 blowout, proving that it belonged

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on the national stage. Stony Brook would battle through the regional, and used a comeback in the Regional Final to down the University of Central Florida Golden Knights to advance to the Super Regionals. It was the first time an America East team had advanced as far as the regional final, and now the Seawolves were headed to Baton Rouge to take on one of the best teams in the country in LSU. In an epic three-game series, Stony Brook, as it had done all season long, battled back from a devastating Game 1 loss and won the final two games to advance to the holy grail of college baseball: Omaha, Nebraska. The magical run, however, would come to an end when Stony Brook matched up with powerhouses UCLA and then Florida St. The two clubs proved to be too much and Stony Brook’s season would come to an end, but after one of the most improbable and inspiring runs. “I can’t really put into words what kind of experience that was,” said Senk reflecting back on the 2012 season. “It was a record setting season not only for us, but for the America East conference and we had some really, really good players.” Three players, Travis Janikowski, William Carmona and Tyler Johnson, were all named All-Americans and Matt Senk won the NCBWA Coach of the Year. The school from Long Island finished the season with 52 victories, the most out of any team in the NCAA.

K UNIVERSITY

WOLVES

Two years removed from that season now, Stony Brook hopes to use that experience and knowledge to reach that point yet again. After a disappointing 2013 campaign, only in the fact that they had high expectations, the Seawolves look poised to get back to the NCAA Tournament. It did get off to a bit of a slow start this year as it lost the first six games of the season, a three-game sweep on the road at Florida International and three losses in the Wake Forest tournament. “We always tried to play the most competitive schedule we can,” said Senk. “Playing against the best competition prepares you for tough games later in the season.” There is a lot to be learned by facing and losing to touch competition. Since the rough start, Stony Brook has been one of the hottest clubs in the country and has won 21 of its last 26 games and can be considered a favorite to win the America East crown. “Our goal every year is the same,” stated Senk. “We want to play for and win the America East Championship.” As is the case with the majority of successful baseball teams, the pitching is the straw that stirs the drink for the Seawolves. Anchored by some experienced seniors at the top of the rotation, Frankie Vanderka and Brandon McNitt, the Stony Brook pitching has been the key to the good play over the last several weeks. “Our starting pitching has been outstanding during this run and we have gotten excellent relief pitching as well,” said Senk. “Our defense is leading the nation in fielding percentage also. Our offense is putting together quality atbats, and when you do all those things you always have a chance to win.” Freshman Cameron Stone has made the transition from the rotation to the bullpen, and now serves as the team’s closer. He took over the role in early March and has posted six saves and an Earned Run Average of 1.64.

Stone is not the only freshman having an impact on Stony Brook this season, as he is one of three freshmen to win America East honors. Ryley MacEachern, who is 3-1 with a 3.51 earned run average, was named Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 12th, while Stone and Casey Baker have both taken home Rookie of the Week awards at points this season. Now sitting at 21-11 on the season and 7-1 in conference, the Seawolves do look poised to make a run at the America East crown and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. It would come as no surprise, as Stony Brook has become accustomed to winning over the last several years, and has brought a lot of baseball pride to Long Island. “I am a Long Island guy myself so I find myself a little partial to players from here,” said Senk. “It may be a little biased but I think Stony Brook is the best university on Long Island and I tell my players that.”

SUFFOLK COUNTY CO

SHA

Foundation for a Fut ure at

Story By Jaclynk

ew to the National Ju nior College Athletic A ssoc County Com iation is the Suffolk m un ever Women ity College ’s ’s first a Women’s lacrosse team. Suffol k started lacrosse pr ogram this with Thom as Carro as season the head co team is co ach. This mpr to join from ised of players that decided w time to recr ord of mouth. There uit was no joined from this season so all the players flyers and hearing pe about the te ople talk am. “The first da y w as because we a culture had girls at shock every differ of experien ent level ce coming to join the Carro. “It team,” said is to but our grow ugh as a first year program th We just wan so far has been trem endous. t to get bette practice an d every gam r every day, every e.” Running th e brand new program is Women’s la head coach crosse Carro. Car lacrosse at ro played both Suffol k Commun and Adelphi ity Col University. the high sc He has coac lege hool level hed at and was th coach at D e as owling Col lege last ye sistant has been a ar physical ed ucation teac . Carro years and is her for 19 the director Yellow Jack of the Lon g Island ets. “Playing fo r C oa ch experience ,” said midfie Carro is a great lder Briana “We never Johnson. have a dull practice. C us on our to arro keeps es and help s us to beco players.” me better As a new program th lacrosse team e SCCC W om has already got a couple en’s under their belt. Every thing they ac of wins this year complish is huge an d will be history beca written in use they ar e the first on do it. Their es to ever record so far is two wins and

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OMMUNITY COLLEGE

ARKS

t Suffolk

kelli Kronemberg | Photos By Morgan

Harrison

two losses. They were victorious against CCBC Catonsville and Broome Comm unity College and came up sh ort against Harfo rd Community College and Na ssau Community College. “I feel honored to be a part of the first ever Women’s lacro sse program at Suffolk,” said Johnson. “This season has been going great for a first year team that started playin g in January. This season is ev erything I thoug ht it would be. At the first prac tice I attended I knew that thi mix of girls wo s uld be a good tea m because of all the talent we ha ve from all over Long Island.” This year 20 gir ls showed up fo r try outs and 20 girls are on the team. As a fir st year program Carro did not wa nt to cut anyone and wanted to lay a foundation for the future of the program. “Everyone is im pacting every as games,” said Ca pect of the rro. “The girls grew a bond so quickly and tha t is helping wi th our success so far. They are striving to grow and make this , get better a successful pr ogram. Our go this season is to al build a founda tion for SCCC women’s lacrosse and make girls want to come here and play.” Helping to build a foundation an program known d make this on Long Island are a few impact players. Capta in attack/midfi elder Corinne Geiger from W ard Melville ha s five goals an three assists so d far this season. “Corinne is do ing a great job for us,” said Carro. “She is an impact player an d is definitely the leader of ou r offense.” Captain defende r Melanie Mas ullo is from Bay Shore. “Melanie’s leade rship is above an said Carro. “She d beyond,” has great comm unication and

brings the defen

se together.” Captain defen der Melanie Khan is from Sachem. Khan helped recruit players to join team. the

“Melanie Khan is a great comp Carro. “She is etitor,” said a leader on defen se and is a very enthusiastic pla yer.” Angela Henriks en is an attacke r out of Rocky Point. So far He nriksen has seve n goals and on assist. e

“Angela is beco ming one of ou r top attackers,” said Carro. “She has high lacrosse knowledge and great field vision .”

Johnson is a mi dfielder from Br entwood. So far Johnson has four goals and one as sist. “Briana is extre mely coachable ,” said Carro. “She is a very good athlete tha t wants to learn more and she ke eps getting bette r every day.” This team is go ing to be forever known and be the base of what girls look at wh en they decide come and play to at Suffolk. “We have nothi ng to lose and gain,” said Carro everything to . “We are lookin g to build a futur with these girls. e They come to play. Win or los they leave every e thing on the field. ” Next up for Su ffolk is Herkim er Community College on Marc h 29, 2014. Every one on the team wants to continu e to win so the y can set a hig standard of what h to expect when you come to pla for the Suffolk y Community Co llege Women’s lacrosse program . They want to be ranked this year and show the y are a good tea m. “It means the wo rld to me to ge program,” said t to start this Carro. “I’m ha ppy to be a pa of Suffolk Co rt mmunity Colle ge and I hope eventually make to this team a high caliber program I couldn’t have . asked for a bette r group of girls to start this pr ogram with. Th ese girls are on hundred percent e in the zone and are committed the program an to d want to be su ccessful.”

Story By Lisa Holahan Photos By Adil Bolurca

Pounce and Prevail

Panthers

The Adelphi

“ T

he Adelphi University Softball team has really out done themselves this year and it looks like they are going to have a tremendous chance to possibly win it all during the NE-10 Championship. The Adelphi Softball team known as the Panthers has had a fantastic regular season this spring with a total of 26 wins and 17 losses. This puts the brown and gold as the number two seed from the Southwest Division entering the Conference Tournament. The team of greatly skilled players has displayed a great deal of dedication on the playing field and it has shown in their results. Head coach, Breanne Nasti and her staff have been giving this team the tools they need for success ever since they began their reign in 2012. When Coach Nasti first became a Panther she finished with a 25-5 record in the Northeast-10 Conference and overall has led the team to victory when they took the 2013 Southwest Division Regular Season crown as well as the 2013 Northeast-10

Head coach, Breanne Nasti

They understand that competition amongst them is a healthy and necessary ingredient for success and also embrace their roles, which is a huge factor as well The Adelphi Panthers are a very diligent team who support each other and “share a vision and desire to do great things”, Coach Nasti said. Each individual member of the team is essential for the team to operate in such a successful way. Coach Nasti speaks very passionately about her team and she acknowledges each member as a part of why the team has been and continues to be so successful. “They understand that competition amongst them is a healthy and necessary ingredient for success and also embrace their roles, which is a huge factor as well.”

Conference Championship title. The Panthers were granted fifth seed in the NCAA East Regional, advancing to Super Regionals for the first time in program history. With a team consisting of knowledgeable coaches and exceptional players, the Panthers have had a promising year thus far and during this spring season.

The team also has an incredible work ethic that keeps both the players and coaches on their toes. They are constantly trying to improve by practicing as much as they can and the team is always striving to exceed expectations. When asked the difference between pre-season and inseason practices, the head coach replied, “Pre-season practices are designed a bit differently due to the phase of the season and the need to learn, review, and repeat offensive and defensive

One of the main reasons why the team functions so well is that everyone from the players to the coaches has a mutual respect for one another. Nasti explains that, “We have a lot of conversations about things that happen on and off the field in a desire to learn, grow and progress. There is a mutual respect and trust that I believe has led to a healthy, happy, and positive coach-athlete relationship.”

PANTHERS

In addition, all of the teams’ hard work has been duly noted among the softball community. The Adelphi Panthers have gained recognition by their fellow peers and coaches within the NE-10 Conference due to their phenomenal performance on the diamond. Katie Andrews, a senior at Adelphi University, has been named the 2014 Northeast-10 Conference Softball Player of the Year. A tremendous accomplishment for Andrews and the team, Andrews has helped lead the Panthers to success by currently batting fifth in the Northeast-10 with an overall batting average of .388, tied for third with 50 hits and came in fifth in both doubles and in RBIs. In Northeast-10 Conference

strategies, skill development, philosophies, and mentalities. In season, our practices consist of a little bit of everything and always include a lot of defensive reps and offensive swings.”

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY

“

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Not only has the team been recognized for their hard work, but so have the coaches. Head Coach Nasti and her assistants Ophir Sadeh and Leah McIntosh were named the NFCA Division II East Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2013.This had been a first in program history and the three coaches can be credited with guiding the Panthers to be one of the most proficient teams

play, Andrews is second highest in batting average (.453). She was voted Player of the Year by the league’s 15 head coaches. Another player that helped the Panthers become number two seed entering the Northeast-10 Softball Championship was Victoria Wink. Wink is currently a junior on the team and has a .331 batting average along with 19 RBIs. She stands proudly at eighth in the conference with six homeruns along with a total of 34 runs and 22 walks that put her at second and third respectively.

In fact, Coach Nasti has had the honor of working with Coach Sadeh prior to coaching the Panthers. They both began their college coaching careers at Hofstra University and when the two had the opportunity to be side by side once again, Coach Nasti was thrilled with the idea. Coach McIntosh was also thrown in the mix as a part-time volunteer assistant and even though she currently resides in Canada, the team knew that Coach McIntosh would be an essential asset to the team. McIntosh is an expert

in the Northeast-10 in 2013. In discussing her two assistant coaches, Coach Nasti considers herself, “very lucky and fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and dedicated staff.” She continued on to say, “We are very different in many ways, which I like, but most importantly, we share many of the same philosophies and values, which provides a consistent message.” So what separates the Adelphi team from their competition other than their work ethic and determination to win? Well, Coach Nasti says, “I believe our team is unique in that they remain composed throughout highs and lows and face adversity well, knowing it is a normal and expected part of our sport, being on a team, and working through a season. They are also an extremely caring group who look out for each other in ways I feel to be extraordinary and special. They

on pitching and has had her own personal success as an extremely talented and decorated pitcher. Each coach has unique experiences and perspectives that they bring to the team, which unitedly makes their efforts outstanding for the Adelphi Panthers. With the teams’ previous success and current success, it’s no wonder how the Adelphi Softball team has made it this far and how much potential they have to go even further.

“ Adelphi University has finished their regular season schedule with an overall record of 26-17. The Panthers are currently 14-8 in NE-10 Conference play, and 11-7 in NE-10 Divisional play. The team is secured as the #2 seed in the Southwest Division and the mighty Panthers will be in action starting on Friday, May 2nd at New Haven for Championship Weekend. They are also currently ranked #3 in the region which, if they remain as such, would guarantee the team a bid to Regionals. If you would like to keep track of the Panthers throughout their post-season or learn more about the team, please visit www.aupanthers.com. You can also follow the team on Twitter at @AUCoachNasti, @CoachSadeh, @ adelphisb and follow them on Instagram at @adelphisb.

have a desire to listen, and progress. Headlearn, coach, Breanne Nasti We can’t ask for more than that.” Adelphi University will be giving it their all as they compete this weekend in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship. The Northeast-10 Conference is an association of 15 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that supports a balance between both academic and athletic opportunities for students. Every year, 4,000 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships that consist of 23 different sports that are offered. This makes the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. The conference believes in the motto of taking initiative in the classroom, taking charge on the field and leading within the community.

Head coach, Breanne Nasti

very lucky and fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and dedicated staff.

The Pride’s season started out in mid-February when they played against New Hampshire University. The team suffered a loss of four goals, making the final score 5-9. Not starting off the season as they imagined, the team continued to redeem themselves in their next two following games. The first game they won was against Fairfield University which ended in a score of 8-7 and the game after that they versed Colgate University and won 10-8. During their last game in February, the team took a hard hit from Maryland University. The opposing team scored a total 14 goals leaving Hofstra in the dust with only 3 goals scored. Despite a minor bump in the road, the Hofstra Pride were ready to take their skills to the next level and get

reviously visiting the Hofstra Women’s Lacrosse team earlier this spring, we wanted to catch up with our ladies again and see how the spring season has been holding up. The Hofstra women have been pretty consistent this season, so far they have racked in a total of 7 wins and 9 losses. However, their losses are nothing to get discouraged about seeing as they still have a chance towards the semifinals and even the championship game. The Hofstra Pride has a solid team this season and they have their head coach, Shannon Smith, who is a three-time first team lacrosse All-American. Coach Smith is currently on her second season as the head coach for the women’s lacrosse team at Hofstra University. With a coach that has a pure love for the sport of lacrosse, a passion to push her team toward success and a team of young ladies who are extremely talented, the Hofstra Pride women have more than a chance to go all the way this year.

STORY BY LISA HOLAHAN PHOTOS BY ADIL BORLUCA

Towards the end of March through the beginning of April, things began to shift and the ladies headed into a slump during the season. They were faced with six losses in a row by various schools such as Ohio State, Temple, Albany, Rutgers, Towson and Delaware University. However, the Hofstra Pride team has always been able to get back on their feet and improve themselves, which is why they remain a strong contender for the CAA championships. Recently, the team racked in two wins verses Dartmouth College and the College of William & Mary. They beat Dartmouth in a close win of 9-8 but they crushed the College of William & Mary doubling their score at 10-5. They continued on to play against James Madison University where they could not come up with a win, the final score being 7-17.

That is exactly what they did starting the beginning of March, the team practiced hard and learned from their mistakes of previous games. In fact, they started the month of March off with a win and continued winning for a total of a three game winning streak. The scores of these games are not something to take lightly either, the Hofstra Pride team not only came back but they came back with a vengeance. Their first game of March was verse Central Connecticut State University where the Pride scored a whopping twelve goal lead and ended the game 17-5. Following that impressive win, they played Marist College where they tripled the opposing teams score and took home a win of 9-3. The last game of the Hofstra lacrosse ladies’ winning streak was against Quinnipiac University where they had a six goal lead over team, with a final score of 13-7.

things going back on track.

TEAM OF THE POWERFUL PRIDE ARE LOOKING TO PREVAIL

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The Hofstra women have been practicing thoroughly to help develop each individual player’s skill to make an overall better team. Some of the teams’ prominent players are Brittain Altomare, Emily Von Hollen and Emily Corzel. Brittain Altomare who is a junior at the university, set a new Hofstra record when she broke the Hofstra career assists record that was previously set by Kathleen McPike from 1998 to 2001 and

The Hofstra Women’s Lacrosse team consists of many valuable players and well experienced coaches. With head coach Shannon Smith and assistant coaches Michael Bedford and Katie Mollot, this team is constantly absorbing useful information. Even though Coach Smith is fairly new to the lacrosse team, she has received nothing but praise from the other coaches. Seth Tierney, who is Hofstra’s head coach of the men’s lacrosse team, had been quoted saying “We are very excited that Shannon Smith will be the next head women’s lacrosse coach at Hofstra University. Her success on the field will without a doubt lead into a very long and successful coaching career. At Northwestern she was the coach on the field, and we are all excited to support her as she begins to patrol the sidelines at James M. Shuart Stadium. Shannon has been successful at everything she has done thus far, and we are now looking forward to seeing the “Shannon Smith Era” begin at Hofstra.” The Hofstra Pride Women are currently 7-9 and 1-3 for the CAA. The CAA is otherwise known as the Colonial Athletic Association Championship. So where does that leave the team? Well, Hofstra’s final game before the championship will take place on April 26th against Drexel University. The winner of the game will advance to the CAA as the number 4 seed in; the loser will sadly see their season come to an end. Drexel University’s current standings are 6-9 and 1-3 for the CAA. Luckily, the Pride has completely swept the Drexel Dragons in the past, with a 12-0 victory during the previous regular season finals. The CAA tournament will be played in Williamsburg, VA at the College of William & Mary throughout the first weekend in May. The semifinals will begin on Friday, May 2nd and the championship game will be on Sunday, May 4th. Towson University will be the top seed in the tournament, with James Madison being the second seed and Delaware University shooting for third. So who will take that fourth spot? You can bet Hofstra Pride will.

Kimberly Hilier from 2004 to 2007. Both reached 82 assists during their career and Altomare surpassed them by reaching an all-time high of 85. Both of the Emily’s on the team are seniors at Hofstra and play a role as team captain. Both Von Hollen and Corzel lead by example by not only guiding the team of Pride but by equally shining on the playing field as well.

Luke Miller has put up some huge numbers for the Bears this season. Through 13 games Miller is the team’s leading scorer with a total of 72 points, he has scored 30 goals and has a whopping 42

This Bears team features an extremely balanced scoring attack which is anchored by a trio of scoring machines junior attacker Luke Miller, senior attacker Cory Triola and sophomore attacker Shawn Murphy. These three guys are a matchup nightmare for any opponent as each of them can beat you at any given moment.

“Last two games they’re ones for the ages. I always tell the guys and we’ve learned this from past experiences that in order to win a championship you need some luck and sometimes you got to make your own luck”, said Bears Coach Bill Dunn when commenting on their back to back overtime classics against Molloy and LIU Post.

Over the course of the season the Bears have picked up a number a huge wins, but none bigger than a pair of back to back overtime thrillers against Molloy and LIU Post. The Bears knocked off Molloy 13-12 in quadruple overtime on a goal scored by red-shirt freshmen Tom Hughes. The victory over LIU Post was very similar as the Bears edged out a 9-8 victory in triple overtime. Sophomore Shawn Murphy was the hero on that day as he scored the game winning goal which defeated LIU Post.

The Bears opened up the season dropping two of their first three games, but since then there has been no looking back for them as they have went on to play a tenaciouss style of lacrosse having compiled a 9-1 record since then.

he 2014 NCAA lacrosse season is well underway and the NYIT Bears find themselves in the midst of a great season thus far. The Bears currently have a record of (10-3, 7-1 ECC), which is good enough for 7th in the USILA Coaches Polls.

The Bears can certainly pack a punch on the offensive side of the ball but they also know how to get it done on the defensive side. They have a number of midfielders and defensemen who pride their game on limiting the opposing offenses to a minimum. The Bears have also received outstanding goalie play from freshman goalie Alex Seltzer who has been a nice surprise this season.

The third member of this trio Cory Triola is the team’s leading goal scorer with 35 goals on the season. Triola made some history earlier this season as he recorded his 100th career goal. “He’s actually the 4th all-time leading scorer in the history of this program, which that’s saying a lot. He’s past some real good players, some former all American players and his recruiting class, he was one of the last players that I recruited and he ended up starting from day one”, said Coach Dunn when commenting on Triola’s 100th career goal and his outstanding play.

Shawn Murphy has done some fantastic things for the Bears this season; he has a total of 45 points this year, netting 27 goals, 18 assists and has picked up 27 ground balls. Murphy had his stand out moment in the Bears overtime victory over LIU Post where he notched the game winning goal.

assists to go along with the big scoring numbers he has also picked up 30 groundballs. “He’s one of the best players in Division II and we’re lucky we have him here, a very unselfish player and he really controls our offense for us and having him back there helps Shawn Murphy out”, said Coach Dunn. Miller has pulled in some big time accolades over the past couple of seasons. As a freshman he was named ECC Rookie of the Year, last season as a sophomore he was named First Team USILA Division II AllAmerican. He was also named ECC Player of the Year as well as attaining ECC First Team honors. With the year Murphy is having this year; you can expect a few more honors coming his way.

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STORY BY ROBERT DEVITA PHOTOS BY KEVIN SPERANDEO

To Greatness In 2014

NYIT Lacrosse Strives

NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MEN’S LACROSSE

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On defense the Bears have one of the best patrolling their side of the turf, senior long-poll midfielder Danny McDermott has been one of the best on the defensive side of the ball in the nation. McDermott is a two time USILA AllAmerican, has attained All-ECC first team honors twice and was named ECC Defensive Player of the Year last season. “We moved him to long-poll midfielder this year and he hasn’t skipped a beat let’s put it that way. I think he’s better as a long-poll midfielder then a base defenseman, he’s one of the top players in the country”, said Coach Dunn.

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As a freshman Seltzer has made his mark on this team

The play of Bears goalie Alex Seltzer cannot go ignored, he has made some big time headlines of his own this season. He has been named Goalkeeper of the Week four times and Rookie of the Week twice this year. Seltzer has provided an answer to a position that the Bears just didn’t know what to expect from. “He’s played great it’s a tough position for a goalie and the other day he had 18 saves and he played unbelievably against Post”, said Coach Dunn.

R O The Bears are currently riding a five game winning streak and are playing some of their best ball of the season. If they can continue to mesh all the aspects of the game together the sky is the limit for this team. They are a talented bunch and if they can make it into the playoffs watch out for the Bears to make some serious noise.

The Bears have a tough road ahead moving forward as they take on Adelphi and Post in games that can either make or break their run at the playoffs. They will need to pride themselves on the things that have got them to where they are this season and that is a conscious effort on the defensive side of the ball and a balanced scoring attack.

by providing a high level of play from the goalie position. “Well over the years and I’ve done this a longtime, things that I usually really worry about usually takes care of itself and this is a good example of that”, said Coach Dunn when commenting on his goaltender position. This position was a real question mark for the Bears and it seems that Coach Dunn has a keeper in Seltzer.

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WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM “I never like to lose a game. It was disappointing,” said head coach Rod Stephan. “The team needs to focus on the game they are playing. We lost in the conference finals

Unfortunately, the Panthers ran into the top-seeded Farmingdale State Rams and came up just one run short in what was a cleanly played baseball game that SUNY Old Westbury dropped 2-1. The go-ahead run was manufactured by the Rams in the top half of the fifth inning after the runner reached third on a throwing error and eventually scored on a groundball out.

The State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury baseball team fell just short of that goal last season, reaching the Skyline Conference Championship as the number two seed in the tournament.

It also ensures you a spot in the NCAA Tournament and the opportunity to compete for a national championship, which is all you can ask for as a college athlete or coach.

he goal of any college athletic team is to compete for and win your conference championship. Doing so validates your season and illustrates that you were the best team all season in your conference.

Heading into this season that goal remains the same. Despite struggling a bit out of conference, the Panthers have played very well inside the Skyline Conference and

focusing on the more important game at the time, the conference championship.

“Our expectations are to advance to the NCAA Tournament,” said Stephan. “To do that we need to win our first Skyline Conference Championship.”

Stephan, who is in eighth season as head coach, said that his team was looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament rather than

That is a major factor for SUNY Old Westbury going forward this season. It lost a number of key players to graduation as well as injuries early on, but weathered the storm and is now fully healthy for the second half of the season.

“We play a very challenging non-conference schedule, competing against the #2 and #4 teams in the nation,” reflected Stephan. “Those tough games give me the ability to evaluate what we need to do to win our conference tournament. We are also now healthy and have our team at full strength.”

While sitting with an overall record of 12-18 as of April 17th, the Panthers are 9-4 inside the Skyline Conference. The struggles out of conference can be attributed to the competivie schedule that Coach Stephan and his program choose to play in order to prepare his club for games inside the conference.

look poised to make a run at the championship.

and they wanted to be playing in the NCAA Tournament.”

“College athletics is a revolving door,” said Stephan. “You always have to keep a good freshmen class. We brought in freshmen Tommy Ziegen, Jesse Matos, Michael

that you will eventually need to find new players.

The Panthers lost some key players from last year’s team such as Brian Walsh, Robert Crocito and Stephen Chapter, but Stephan and his team understand that that is life in college sports; the inevitability

Story By Brian Coleman || Photos By Kevin Sperandeo

BASEBALL MAKING PUSH FOR SKYLINE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

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He has dropped his earned run average by nearly a run and is now at 2.30 with a record of 4-2. His most outstanding performance came on April 17th, when he hurled a no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader against Stevens Institute. Nunez needed just 79 pitches as he struck out four batters

One of the transfers brought in last offseason was pitcher Arismendy Nunez, a pitcher from the Bronx who originally played his college baseball at Nassau Community College. He went 6-5 with a 3.12 earned run average last season, and came into this season poised to improve on that success.

The power has come from one of those transfers that Stephan raved about in Nick Yip, who has gone

The offense has been effective as well, paced by a couple of hitters who made impacts last year. Junior outfielder Jacob Coners has flourished this year as he has received more at bats and is making them count. The kid from Selden, N.Y. is leading the Panthers in hitting with a .356 batting average with one homerun and 17 runs batted in.

en route to the no hitter in front of his home crowd on Senior Day at the Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex at SUNY Old Westbury.

“I love to give back the knowledge that I have learned throughout my career,” said Stephan. “I continue to keep learning over the years. To see student-athletes go on and play professionally and student-athletes moving on academically to positions such as accountants, teachers and police officers. It’s great to see them come back and support the program.”

While success on the field is imperative for this program, coach Stephan takes great pride in the relationships he forms with his players, and how playing college baseball can be impactful in other areas of life.

“We are currently 9-4 in conference and we just need to continue to do the little things like sacrifice bunting, moving runners, stealing bases, throwing strikes and staying healthy,” said Stephan.

SUNY Old Westbury has received excellent hitting and pitching so far in the 2014 campaign, and with seven games left in the season, it can smell the Skyline Conference Tournament. Stephan says while the hitting and pitching have been good, it has been the little details of the game that have put the Panthers in a position for success.

yard three times while driving in 16 runs. Another junior outfielder, Jonathan Pagan, has also hit three homeruns while leading the team with his 20 runs batted in.

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“It’s always good to get transfers,” said Stephan. “It’s immediately helped that they have played college baseball before. Freshmen sometimes take seasoning to get to the championship level.”

The transfer is one of the most important aspects of college athletics, and bringing in the right players from other schools can be the difference between a good and bad season.

Cardino and Nick Dorcean along with transfers Nick Yip, Christian Faust, Tim Ingram, Braylin Perez and Byron White to reload our talent.”

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