No. 2-ranked Adelphi lacrosse team is off and running
Adelphi University's Sal Tuttle looks to make a pass during the fourth period of the NCAA Division II men's lacrosse semifinals vs. Le Moyne College at Adelphi University. (May 18, 2013) Credit: James Escher
The Adelphi men's lacrosse team wasted no time making a statement. Three games into the season, they are 3-0 and ranked second in the nation. It isn't a soft 3-0, either. An 11-7 victory over third-ranked and previously undefeated LIU Post on Tuesday showed that.
"It wasn't just a rivalry win for us," coach Gordon Purdie said. "We went down south and prepared. The way we played indicated who we could be at the end of the year. We're pushing to be the best team we can be, wherever that lands us. We're hoping that together, we can win a championship."
The Panthers skipped out to a 2-0 record in the last week of February with victories over Lenoir-Rhyne College and Mars Hill College in North Carolina. But Post was the statement game.
"This showed that we can play with the best of them," said Sal Tuttle, who had two goals and an assist. "Post is a very good team. We came out [Tuesday] and showed that we can be a little better."
It appeared as if the Panthers were a lot better during the first half, jumping out to a 7-0 lead before Post knocked one in the net shortly before halftime. The quick outburst was an encouraging sign for those wearing black and gold.
"Our offense is learning to mesh together well. We're getting better shots off," said Connor Duddy, who scored three goals. "The last couple of practices we had leading up to that game were all high intensity. I think we've learned how to play together well."
And that could be a very scary thought for opponents as the Panthers move deeper into the 2014 campaign.
Surprise honors for Bey
SUNY-Old Westbury freshman Sara Bey wasn't thinking about lacrosse last fall. The Calhoun graduate was content playing soccer and adjusting to college. But after conversations with some of her teammates who were also on the lacrosse team, her plans changed.
"I knew that [Old Westbury] had a new lacrosse team and I was interested in talking to the coach, but it wasn't a definite thing until midway through the first semester," Bey said.
She, as well as the rest of the Old Westbury lacrosse program, is glad she found her stick again and joined the squad. After scoring five goals in two games last week, Bey was named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week.
"I always thought I'd be better at soccer," Bey said. "I got a text that I had become rookie of the week and I was in shock. I was happy that I had scored goals, but I never expected any honors to come my way."
