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Feb. 21, 2008
Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi men's lacrosse team will travel to Smithfield, Rhode Island on Saturday, February 23 to open the 2008 season against sixth ranked Bryant. The Panthers are ranked ninth in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) preseason poll and are looking to return to Garden City with a win. The 2008 version of the Adelphi University men's lacrosse team will feature some prominent changes, starting at the top as Adelphi alumni Gordon Purdie '88 takes over a program rich in tradition and championships that had been led Sandy Kapatos for the past 14 years, capturing four NCAA Division II titles in that time. "Coming back to Adelphi is a dream come true for me, spending three years playing lacrosse and graduating from Adelphi has been some of my most cherished memories," Purdie explained. "To watch and coach these young men is an honor and to have the support of so many alumni and the University is tremendous. I am excited to take on the challenge." The Panthers started strong in 2007 showing promise after winning five of their first eight games. However, Adelphi stumbled down the stretch, dropping their last five games, including two by just one goal. Purdie is looking at a long-term approach to success, "My vision is to be a highly competitive and respected program, measured not just by wins and losses but by progress in the classroom and commitment to the community," Purdie stated. "We will out work our opposition. I am a true believer that the smart take from the strong." Adelphi returns eight of its top-10 scorers from a year ago, including East Coast Conference (ECC) Rookie of the Year Ian Kuchta. The Panthers will have to fill in big holes left by All-American Michael Gongas at attack and four-year starter Stephen Mortimer in the midfield. "We will play with vigor and passion. The dedication and enthusiasm that is evident on our team will be seen by our united love of lacrosse," Purdie said. "As a coach it is important to me to develop character within each player so he can succeed in the classroom and on the field." Attack "Our strength will be our ability to find the open man. It's all about one more pass, being patient and creating scoring opportunities for others," Purdie explained. "Patience was a key to our success at Adelphi in the past and we will be returning to that this season." In addition to Kuchta, who had led the Panthers with 26 goals as a freshman and is a great centerpiece to any offense, the attack will feature three Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) standouts in seniors Henry and Fietta and junior Eddy Ege. Fietta started all 13 games for Adelphi last spring and was second on the team in points (30), while scoring 19 goals and adding 11 assists.
Henry had five goals in the first four games and picked up nine ground balls and is healthy this spring after a strong fall. Ege, an All-Region, All-American and conference Player of the Year at HCCC could step in and fill in the role left vacant by the graduation of Gongas. Freshmen Daniel Gaudet and Richie Picciano are also in the mix on attack and will add depth to the front line. Purdie has also brought back Kevin Sheehan, who led Adelphi to three national championships, to help on the offensive side of the ball. "Kevin is not just a brilliant offensive coach, but someone I know will make us a better team," Purdie said. Midfield "Our midfield's ability to breakdown the defense and create scoring opportunities for our attack will be a key to our success this spring," Purdie said. "I see this team having countless scoring chances due to the unselfish play of our midfield." Leading the way for the midfield will be four-year starter and senior Dale Pescitelli. Pescitelli scored 17 points last year on 11 goals and six assists, while grabbing 26 ground balls. Fellow seniors, Tyler Burton and Brandon Butler will also see time in the middle of the field. Burton scored eight goals and handed out four assists, while Butler scored seven points (4G, 3A). Senior Brady O'Malley is entering his fourth year on the team and has evolved as a player over that time. He appeared in all 13 games last year, posting four goals and two assists and will see an increased role this spring. Senior Marc Burton saw time in all 13 games last year and will be competing for time in the midfield, after scoring 10 goals and handing out seven assists in 2007. Sophomores Christian Colantuoni, Sean Greene and Paul Rapelje combined for 13 appearances and two goals last year and are ready to step up and play bigger roles this spring. Face-off
Senior Andrew Ashkenazy took 56 face-offs in 2007, winning 32 (.571), but will miss the 2008 season due to injury, making Butler the second option in the face-off circle. "Jesse's unique ability to create offense from the first whistle will give our team an immediate advantage," Purdie explained. "Butler's speed, vision and energy will help support our offensive goals and produce scoring chances." Long Stick Midfield/Defensive Midfield Pescitelli, O'Malley and Henaghan will use their athleticism to out work the opposition, while Theberge has the added ability to cover bigger players due to his 6-3 frame. Sophomore Joe Benson will also see time at defensive midfield once he gets healthy. The long stick midfield position will be platooned by senior James O'Sullivan and junior Matt Giordano. O'Sullivan started all 13 games at long stick last year, picking up 18 ground balls, while Giordano also corralled 18 ground balls in 11 appearances in 2007. "James has shown that he can score in transition last fall and we like to use his speed at the defensive end," Purdie stated. "Giordano will continue to support our defense in any way that he can, including as a long stick defensemen." Defense "The leadership of Coach Tim O'Meara and Coach Brian Spallina has clearly improved our play on the defensive end," Purdie said. "Our players have come together and understand team concepts." Junior David Campbell, sophomores Stephen Etts and Robert Cincotta along with freshman Josh Swan give the coaching staff three more options at defense and add depth and talent to an already strong unit. Goalkeeper
"Our goalies continue to impress the coaching staff. Devin and Drew continue to help each other improve and will be battling for minutes all spring," Purdie stated. "They have been consistent in their play and determination to save every shot. Coach O'Meara has done a great job working with the goalies and holding them accountable." Giving Adelphi two more options in net and making the coaching staffs decision even harder are senior John Gherlone and sophomore Sean Quinlan. Quinlan saw some time last season and both he and Gherlone are improving every practice. Schedule The Panthers have seven of the top-10 teams in the country on their schedule and open the season on February 23 in Smithfield, Rhode Island against sixth-ranked Bryant. Adelphi will open their ECC schedule on March 29 against Molloy followed up by five straight conference games, all against nationally ranked foes, including #2 Mercyhurst, #3 NYIT and #5 Dowling. "There is not an easy game on our conference schedule and we will be prepared for every game," Purdie said. "Entering the season with 31 players I will look for everyone to contribute both on and off the field as well as in practice and in games." The Panthers also have a large senior class that will be a large part of any success that Adelphi will have this spring. "Our 13 seniors have provided not just leadership and vision for the team but the tenacity and purpose that they bring to each practice has continued to motivate our team," Purdie stated. Things may be changing within Adelphi lacrosse, but it seems to be a move toward bringing back the golden age of Panther lacrosse for an encore if Purdie has his way, "It is with honor that we wear the black and gold. We understand its power and the tradition it represents." |
