One Horse Race: Adelphi Cruises Past Post
from press releases
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - Freshman Erica Devito
registered four of her game-high six goals in the first half as
#1-ranked Adelphi University topped #2 C.W. Post, 14-9, this
afternoon. The Panther finish the regular season with a perfect
16-0 record, 4-0 in the ECC, while handing the Pioneers their
second loss to finish, 15-2 and 3-1 in the league.
"I am extremely proud of our kids. They executed the plan
perfectly," Head Coach Joe Spallina said. "It's a great
accomplishment to be ECC Champs, but our goal is not to be number
one on May 2, but to be number one on May 20. We have to continue
to improve."
Freshman Marissa Mills led the Panthers to a 1-0 lead in the 4th
minute, with sophomore Holly Burke pushing it to 2-0 on a feed from
sophomore Michelle Ceraso. The Pioneers answered with back-to-back
goals to knot the score at 20:49. Senior Rachel Ray scored the
first of her three goals on a free position shot in the 13th
minute, with Devito scoring less than a minute later to push the
lead back to 4-2.
Again Post responded with Ashley Olen and Brianne Jackolski each
scoring their second goals of the day. Devito scored on a man-up
opportunity followed by Ray on an assist from sophomore Kaitlyn
Carter, 6-4, in the 28th minute. However, Katie Hogan closed the
gap at 1:17, as the Panthers held a 6-5 advantage at
intermission.
Devito and Ceraso each tallied two goals apiece in the 4-0 run to
open the second half as Adelphi led, 10-5, in the 37th minute. Both
teams traded goals, with Burke scoring again on a dish from Ray.
With 12 minutes remaining in the contest, Devito accounted for two
of the next three unanswered Adelphi goals to push the lead to,
14-7, the largest of the day.
The Pioneers Lauren Spagnoletta scored her second goal with 2:52 on
the clock, followed by Staci Passafliume with 1:12 to go, but it
was too little too late as the Panthers stormed the field in
celebration at the buzzer.
The teams were evenly matched with Adelphi holding a one shot
advantage, 33-32. The Pioneers grabbed 18 ground balls, compared
with 14 for the Panthers and also held a 15-10 draw control
advantage.
Junior goalkeeper Caitlin Fitzpatrick who made 13 stops in the
contest, was key to Adelphi's success. Post's Sam Powers had 11
saves.
As the only undefeated team in Division II, the Panthers should be
assured the #1 spot going into the NCAA Tournament and secure a
first-round pass straight to the Final Four. The official NCAA
bracket will be announced Sunday night. The Division II
Championships will take place in Salem, Virginia, May 16-17.
