NCAA Women's Lacrosse Tournament

The Women's Lacrosse team will be competing in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championship on Saturday May 15, 2010 here at Adelphi. They will be playing against Stonehill College. They just played Stonehill this past Sunday while competing in the NE-10 tournament, defeating them 14-13 in overtime.

Take a break from packing and studying and come out and support your women's lacrosse team!

AU Volleyball Raffle

On Thursday May 6th, 2010 the women's volleyball team with be having a raffle outside of the University Center from 11am-3pm. Benefits of this raffle will help support the girls on their preseason trip to Minnesota, where they will face some great competition.

Prices are:

1 ticket - $1.00

Arms Length - $5.00

Body Length - $10.00

There are many great prizes and you get to pick which one you have the chance to win.

ipod Touch

Digital Camera

2 Mets Tickets with signed baseball

Move Night Basket

Theatre Tickets for 2

AU Athletics Prize Pack

and much more!

Come out and support the girls as they look forward to their 2010 season!

Podcast with Heather Mau

This week I interviewed Heather Mau, a rising senior on the Adelphi Women's volleyball team. I talked to her about her experiences as a student-athlete here. Enjoy!

AU Softball

Adelphi Women's Softball has clinched a spot in the upcoming NE-10 Tournament with two wins against UMass-Lowell this weekend.

More information of the tournament to follow.

Upcoming Contests

Saturday May 1st, 2010 - Women's Lacrosse takes on the Pioneers of C.W. Post as they look to continue their win streak. It is the last home game for the lacrosse team. Also it is anticipated to be a sold out crowd as it is their biggest rival as well as Alumni Day, so get there early to get your seat to view one of the season's most anticipated games. Game time is 4pm. See you there!

Saturday May 1st, 2010 - Softball has a game but it is away at Merrimack College in Andover, MA. If you see any of the girls walking around campus make sure you show your support and wish them luck as they look forward to the upcoming NE-10 tournament.

Saturday May 1st, 2010 - Track and Field are competing in the NE-10 championship this Saturday at Stonehill College. The girls have been working hard for this and are coming off a strong performance from the last tournament. Good luck girls!

Make sure you show your support for all these girls and show your Adelphi Pride by coming out and cheering them on as they look to finish up their seasons. Good luck! You've done AU proud!

Advancing On

The Adelphi University Women's Tennis team advanced to the semi-finals of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Wednesday. They defeated Le Moyne College of Syracuse, NY.

They will play next on Friday April 23, 2009 at Stonehill College. They will also be playing Stonehill. Adelphi is seeded 3rd while Stonehill is seeded 2nd.

Good luck girls!

From Florida to New York

Photo courtesy of aupanthers.com

Breaking three records her freshman year and earning the team MVP award, Adelphi swimmer Charlotte Davies has brought more to New York then the Florida sunshine. Hailing from Sanibel, Florida, Davies, who is now a sophomore, continues her successes here at Adelphi. She has received a Northeast-10 Honor as well. But she says that her most prized accomplishment is setting those records as a freshman.

"My most prized accomplishment at AU would be my records in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle. I received all of them as a freshman and it made me super excited to be an asset to the team my first year."

This is the first season the swim team has been able to swim in their home pool in a few years. Last year they were traveling everywhere just to find a pool to practice in. But as Davies point out its her team that matters the most when it comes to swimming.

"The best thing about swimming here is definitely my team. I love swimming with them and we all get along not only in the pool but outside of the pool too. Without my team I don't know what I would do and they make swimming here a better experience."

In order to break records and become a top swimmer it takes more then just a nice pool and a great team surrounding you. It takes hard work and dedication on the athletes part to devote herself to being the best and Davies practices this day in and day out.

"Doing well doesn't come easy. If you work hard you'll do well and you can't slack off during practice and expect good things to happen or to do well when it comes time for a championship or big race."

Davies doesn't just want to settle for what she has already accomplished. She knows that there are many more years to go and she plans to continue with her hard work to make her become the best swimmer she could possibly be, while defending her records.

"I want to do well. And not working hard doesn't make sense to me. I want to continue to improve throughout my years at AU and to get there I have to work hard everyday. Not to mention that I don't want any freshman taking my records. :)"

Each and every day Adelphi women athletes look to do their best and their hard work, dedication and commitment they put in, it sure shows that we have some of the best.

Rookie of the Week

In a previous post I highlighted Emily Dorko from the softball and volleyball team. It was just announced that this week Dorko is Rookie of the Week for the Northeast-10 Conference. One amazing accomplishment that lead to this was a grand slam home run in a 8-0 over Bloomfield College.

Congrats Emily!

Shut Out

The Adelphi Women's Lacrosse team gets their first shut out of the season this past Saturday, April 10, 2010 against St. Michaels College. Improving to 10-0, this marks the first shut out since March 1, 2009 against American International College. Although they beat their opponents by a large margin, which is a rarity in lacrosse, a shut out is something to be proud of.

KAPOWEE

The Adelphi Volleyball team over the past 3 years has seen its program go from being one that teams want to play to having teams be afraid to play. Making the NCAA tournament the past 3 years and coming in 2nd this past season in their conference championship makes them a force to be reckoned with. Patawe Simms, now a sophomore has showed her competitors that although she is young, she is powerful and a force on this Adelphi team.

Simms, nicknamed Kapowee for her strength and power, is a true leader on the Adelphi Women's volleyball team. For her its not about her successes it about what the the team run everyday.

"Our team chemistry is amazing. We're all very well connected and it is shown on the court. We work together as one everyday for the same purpose, to win and be successful."

In order to win though, the team has great expectations of Simms. When you look at her you can just see she's and amazing athlete. But when she steps on the floor and starts to play you understand how powerful she really is. Many wonder where she got her astonishing power and athletic abilities.

"I acquired most of my training while playing on the Fury Volleyball Club in high school. Playing club made me a better player and prepared me for my college career. When I came to Adelphi my coach then advanced my skills, making me a powerful hitter and preparing me to play on the next level."

With this power she has recorded 399 kills in her time here at Adelphi. But don't forget, she's only a sophmore so many teams will have to continue to figure out how to defend the middle powerhouse from Adelphi. Looking forward to the next two years Simms focuses on some very important things.

"My goal for the next two years here is to become the best team mate and player I can possibly be. I want every practice to be better than the last and I will work hard everyday in order to achieve my goal."

With the determination and skill of Simms, the volleyball team looks to continue its success with her help on other run for the conference championship. Simms knows they can accomplish anything as she knows this team possess one of the key factors to a being a successful team, heart.

"It's the love my teammates and I have for the sport that makes us successful and motivates us to love what we do. We are all so in sync with one another because of the dedication and commitment we each put into being on the Adelphi Volleyball team."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Simms, along with the whole team, work hard day in and day out to conquer goals and be the best they can be. And with a teammate like Simms by your side and out there on the court for you, you know that you have one of the best.

The Names Fitz

Fitzpatrick, #31, in goal

Photo Courtesy of Caitlin Fitzpatrick

The Women's Lacrosse team knows how to score goals. Winning by an average of 13 goals this season, it just shows that their offense can get the job done. But what people forget is there has to be someone stopping the other team from scoring just as many goals and that's where Caitlin Fitzpatrick comes in.

Coming off an undefeated season and having a national championship to defend offers a hard task for the Lady Panthers and Fitzpatrick, also known around campus as Fitz. Defending a national championship may be hard, but as Fitz says, its a gold the team is determined to accomplish.

"Our goal for the season is to remain undefeated and win another national championship. Simple as that. We have had the idea instilled in us by the coaching staff that anything less than a national championship and our overall season is a failure."

Their is a big target on their back. There is a lot of pressure for them to preform every single game to the highest level possible and as Fitz points out back to back national championships has never been done before, and no opponent will let it come easy.

"We are the 'big game' on everyone's schedule. Who wouldnt want a chance to take out the defending champs? They are not just going to lay down and hand us a win- we have to fight for every groundball, faceoff possession, save, and goal. No one in Division II has won a women's lacrosse championship back to back- we hope to change that this year."

Starting in goal for the Panthers, Fitz's job is to make sure that for every goal they score, she stops a shoot from the other team. She seems to be doing this job pretty well, to say the least. Earning her second week honor this season, NE-10 Goalie of the Week, Fitz feels each one is special.

"Each one of theses awards is special. It forces me to work hard each and every game to continue playing at my best. There are a lot of good goalies in the NE-10 so I see each of them as an honor. The award also reflects how well the defense plays because they help force the attackers to where we want them to shoot from."

Finally, Fitz points out that none of this would be possible without their coach, who instills a great work ethic in his players.

"He knows when we are working at our highest level and trying hard or just 'going through the motions'- he is not afraid to call us out. We are taught that if you practice at a high level you will play at a high level."

With a great work ethic, great team chemistry, and one common goal-win another championship, it's no wonder he lacrosse team has been able to keep their streak alive and it doesn't seem to be ending any time soon. We just hope Fitz ties the correct shoe first, a game day ritual, because it's certainly working!

Just a Smile

Signs inside the locker room that motivate the team

The women's basketball team didn't have the easiest road this past season. Going through many tough loses and loosing a coach and players in the middle of the season, having to work together could have been hard for them, but instead they did it with dignity and poise.

Finishing the season 4-23 was not what they had hoped for but they have a lot of positive things to look back on. One being that they came into a new conference, not knowing what to expect and they took the floor each and every game giving it their all. Never letting down, the girls worked hard each day in practice and took that hard work to games, where they showed that no matter what the score they will continue to play as a team.

Success doesn't necessarily have to come from getting 30 tallies in the wins column. The women basketball team shows us this by their dedication to the community. At the beginning of their season they participated in the Walk for Autism at Jones Beach State Park and also joined the WBCA Pink Zone, an organization to support breast cancer awareness.

Along with this they decided to adopt a 21-month old girl named Stefanie through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The little girl who they call Stef has a brain tumor. The team sends cards and gifts throughout the year and they were also able to bring her to a game when her treatments were going well. The women's team has surely made an impact on Stefani's life, helping to brighten her smile. While Stefani has truly made an impact of them and they continue to play for her and work hard for her, everyday.

With all this strength combined we are all confident Stefani can fight through this. She taught the team a lot, showing them that with the strength and support for those who care for you, you can get through anything. And the women's team has not only used that strength, but given the same thing back to Stefani and her family.

So the girls may have had a tough basketball season, but overall I would say they had more then a successful season in many people's eyes. They have done something pretty incredible, giving a little girl strength and love, and giving her a reason to smile. That smile is priceless and something that is more important then any win in that wins column.

So girls, all I have is one thing to say and that is...Thank you. Thank you for being role models and showing the community that even the smallest things make the biggest difference. This is the true meaning of not only being an amazing student-athlete is, but being a great person.

Another sign for motivation

This is the sign that hangs in their locker room for Stefani

The Unbeaten

Adelphi Women's Tennis and Lacrosse each stay undefeated as they move forward in their seasons. Tennis stands at 9-0, while Lacrosse rests at 4-0.

These two teams are big threats to their competition as the lacrosse team is coming into this with a national championship trophy to defend and a streak to keep alive.

The tennis team looks to keep working hard as they get ready for the Northeast-10 Championship in the near future.

Hall of Fame!

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Pictured: Coach Ilsley in college

It has been 20 years since Adelphi University has hired a new women's soccer coach. But there has been no need to find another one. In 1990 Richard Ilsley was named the head coach of the women's soccer team. This was the best decision the Adelphi Athletic Department could have made. Coach Ilsley's his successes have earned him a spot in the Adelphi Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to celebrate the accomplishments of coaches and players who have made an impact in Adelphi Athletics. Coach Ilsey will be inducted on April 15, 2010.

Coach Ilsley has many lessons to teach his players. But one sticks out most in his mind as the most important. His saying, "Woulda, shoulda, coulda," is something he makes sure to instill in his players.

"That means is that you should never walk off a field, or a job, etc. saying if I woulda have done that, or shoulda done that. In other words, give it your best effort all the time, no matter what you are faced with. If you keep those three things in mind, regrets will be few. It does not mean that you will always be successful, far from it. What it means is for you to give your best at that given time and moment, and no one can ask for more. That goes for on the field and off the field."

Ilsley is proud of the tradition that has been established. He has created a family that will forever be apart of his life.

"I have been most proud of the tradition that has been created within the program. In addition to the tremendous success that they have had here on the field, they have been as successful, if not more so, after their graduation."

"These women continue to represent themselves, and Adelphi, with distinction. I have been lucky enough to be a part of their lives for quite a long time and it is quite satisfying for me to watch and share many happy moments with many of them."

"Coaching is about the players and they have brought me much satisfaction. They continue to involve me in their lives long after the games are done. When that happens, then you know that you have made a connection, more important than just being their coach."

He has helped his athletes to become not only the best players they could possibly be, but also the best people they could be, and that's what makes a great coach.

It's no wonder our athletes strive for excellence in their lives when they have coaches like Coach Ilsley supporting them and pushing them to be the best, in all aspects of life. Thanks Coach and congratulations!

Rebel Games

In Kissimmee, Fla., the Women's Softball Team have raced off to a great start. As of today, 3 days in, they have started off 3-1. With many highlights and shining moments it lead us to believe the team will do nothing but improve. The girls have a very exciting season ahead of them!

Panther fans, keep updated on the softball page to see how these Rebel Games wrap up!

Go Women Panthers!

Two is Better Than One

Many people can't fathom playing one college sport, let alone two. But in Emily Dorko's world it's a different story. It's rare, especially at the DI and DII level, to play two sports. Playing both volleyball and softball is a difficult task, but one that Dorko does with grace and maturity. Being a freshman athlete can get overwhelming, but as Dorko points out, it's just a way of life.

"Being a two sport athlete has been a way of life for me since my freshman year in high school. It is stressful at times but I don't think I could live my life any other way."

Teammates are a big part of athletics and as Dorko explains although she say not be able to see some of her teammates during the opposite season, they are still a big part of her life.

"My teammates are the best thing that have come out of playing two sports. My roommates are members of the softball team. Now that it is softball season I don't see my volleyball teammates as much, but we all make the effort to meet up. It's a little hard and I miss out, but that's part of managing two sports."

Maturity as a freshman is hard to come by, but Dorko showed her's very quickly when she decided to play two sports in college. She has grown up fast and shows she can handle all the early and late practices, the crazy travel schedules, and the pains in her body. Dorko shows that this is possible with hard work.

"There are times where I feel like I can't jump any higher, or swing the bat any faster but this is what I live for. Others who aren't familiar with an athlete's lifestyle may find it difficult to balance everything on my plate, but I have managed to work out an efficient system in my life."

Why be this busy and work this hard, just to play an extra sport? For Dorko, it's simple. It's for the love of the game(s). She hopes to make a big impact in all seasons to come.

"My goal in my athletic career here at Adelphi is definitely just to make an impact. As a freshman it is hard coming into a new place, dealing with the surroundings and coaches. I want to be able to offer my skills anyway possible that will best benefit the team."

Dorko looks to work hard not just herself but for her team, both teams. Who new a freshman could have such grace and maturity, while being an amazing athlete.

Just another example of how our female athletes are special and have so much to offer.

Photos courtesy of aupanther.com

Support Your Women!

After spring break there are going to be many home games for the women's lacrosse, softball, and tennis. (Unfortunately the track team doesn't have any home meets.) Make sure you come out and support your women as they get ready to compete in a new conference. I'm know their successes in the past have set them up to continue you to do the same. With your support it will give them that extra push to be the best. Come out and support your AU Women.

First Home Games after Spring Break:

W. Lacrosse- March 27, 2010 vs. Franklin Pierce @ 1pm

W. Softball- March 26, 2010 vs. Queens @3pm and 5pm(note: home games are now being played at the Garden City Pool due to construction on campus. It's around a 5 minute walk from campus)

W. Tennis- March 27, 2010 vs. Merrimack @1pm

Come see these amazing athletes perform!

Volleyball Does Cold Stone

Imagine. Peanut Butter Cup Perfection. Birthday Cake Remix. Cheesecake Fantasy. These are just some of the few signature creations you can get at Cold Stone Creamery, but even better you can get them personally made by Adelphi women volleyball players.

The Adelphi University Volleyball team partnered up with Cold Stone on March 2, 2010 to fundraise money for the preseason trip to Colorado. This is no small cost to take a team of fifteen and two coaches away on a trip, but it is definitely worth it pointed out freshman outside hitter, Chelsea Overholt.

"To be able to travel and play some of the best teams in the country is an unbelievable opportunity. It will only challenge us and make us better. We always strive to do our best and we want to bring home a championship to our school. This fundraiser put into perspective how much money it is going to take, but it also made us realize how worth it it will be when we come home a better team and are able to compete at a higher level for that championship."

In addition to raising money for the trip, the team was able to bring the team together as they enter into a new season next fall. Team chemistry is very important to this team. Overholt also praised her teammates for all the hard work they've done.

"This was really a team effort. Everyone was behind the counter, mixing the ice cream and even singing for tips. It was not only fun, but we were doing it together, while having fun. The time just flew by. Our girls have such a great work ethic, not only on the court but off."

The manager of Cold Stone also added that they had been "the most successful fundraising team of anyone she's ever had". Raising a total of $112, which is combined of tips and %10 of sales during the night, the girls see this little amount as just the beginning to a great experience.

"We were able to bond, get the community and AU students involved with us, and raise money, while having fun. It was awesome," added Overholt.

I guess you can tribute that to the hard work and dedication these girls have to being able to do whatever they can to be the best they can.

Adelphi Women Athletes continue to strive to do their best so they can continue that tradition of excellence.

Photos by me.

Lacrosse DII and DIII National Championship!

Adelphi University has been picked to host the 2011 Women's Lacrosse National Championship!

Adelphi Women's Lacrosse most recently won the National Championship in 2009, as they were undefeated.

This is a great success for only Adelphi Athletics, but especially women's athletics because a nationally recognized event will be held here, and that decision has a lot to do with the success of our program.

Women's athletics should be very proud of themselves as they continue to make their mark here, as having a National Championship at any school is a big deal, but here at Adelphi it proves to show our women are doing great things.

Photo Courtesy of AUpanthers.com

Workin' Hard

As springtime approaches, the Adelphi Women's Volleyball team starts up a springtime of their own, known as Postseason.

Lifting weight, conditioning, perfecting individuals skills, and working of their team play is what the girls will do during this season.

Although dreadful at points because of exhaustion, they hope that putting in all this hard work will pay off in the fall when they look to extended their successes they have had in a past.

The love of the game gets them through and the girls know that their work will be rewarded in the future.

Workin' Hard

Their first spring tournament is on March 27, 2010

Track and Field

Photo courtesy of Danielle Matteo

At Adelphi, 5 out of 10 students knew there was an indoor track and field team. None of them knew they had just competed in the Northeast-10 Championship in Boston, MA. coming back to school with reason to celebrate.

Danielle Matteo, a senior from Valley Stream, NY took home first place in the 5,000 meter run. Matteo, who is a big part of the Adelphi team, posted a personal best time of 18:25.68. Matteo says her key to success was simple: she wanted it more.

“Two laps to go UMass Lowell’s girl took the lead and my coached yelled “don’t make a move…sit” so I sat, followed around the turn with a lap to go the bell rang and I took off. All I could hear is someone yell, “who wants it more!” and I went for it. All that went through my head that race was the workout we did that Monday, 20x400 with 60 second rest all under 81 seconds. If I could do that this is nothing. I wanted it!”

Never questioning her ability, Matteo’s mindset was nervous but then reminded herself that it was like any other day.

“I told myself it’s like any other day, just go into it as it’s a hard workout, clear my mind and do what I know how to do...just run, the work is already put in, just be me.

It was not only Matteo who found success at the championships, but also her teammates came away with triumph. The distance medley relay team captured an exciting come from behind victory setting a meet record, while many other girls showed their desire to succeed as they raced with passion to do their personal best.

It was a great weekend for this team, finishing sixth out of sixteen, as they showed that teamwork is what matters the most. Matteo has a lot to be pleased about.

“I am so proud of all my teammates, coming into a new and more challenging conference. We are all there for each other through the ups and downs. I think that’s what makes us strong. I am always ready to help motivate and push no matter how I am feeling. I just always have to have a positive attitude even if it is going to be a rough workout or a hard day.”

Women athletes at Adelphi University make us proud once again.

This Blog

This blog is set to discuss all aspects of women's athletics at Adelphi University. This ranges from personal and team achievements that are accomplished either on or off the court(this also includes coaches) to activities and upcoming contests that women's teams will be competing in. All around our country women's athletics seems to be pushed on the back-burner, not seen as important as men's athletics. Through this blog I hope to show you that our girls who are out there competing and succeeding in the community, in the classroom and on the court deserve just as much attention and celebration as men do. It's time to show our girls the respect they deserve and recognize all their hard work. I hope this blog will show just how great women's athletics are, especially here at Adelphi University.