Locals help Adelphi to repeat title

Taylor Hayes (Rockville Centre) and Ryley Weber (Wantagh) led defensive effort for Panthers

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The Adelphi women’s lacrosse team nailed down its second straight NCAA title by defeating Lock Haven, 5-4, in the Division II National Championship Game on May 17.

A strong overall defensive effort combined with terrific play in net by junior goalkeeper Taylor Hayes, a Rockville Centre resident, helped the Panthers overcome early offensive struggles and come away with the tournament-clinching win. 

“It’s unreal, especially doing it a second time,” Hayes said. “Last year we came in to (the tournament) with nothing to lose, and this year we did have something to lose, so to bring that home again when everyone wanted to take that away from you is just an indescribable feeling. There’s really nothing better than that.”

The victory over the Bald Eagles did not come easily for Adelphi. While the Panthers had spent much of the season racking up high goal totals, they were only able to find the back of the net once in the first half of their matchup against Lock Haven. But the team’s performance on the defensive side of the field helped keep it in the game.

“Defensively we were excellent,” Adelphi head coach Pat McCabe said. “When our offense couldn’t get going, our defense made sure that our opponent didn’t get going. And that was important.”

The game remained a defensive battle in the second half, and the two teams ended up needing extra time to settle things. Then with 3:11 left in overtime, senior midfielder Felicia Mills scored the title-winning goal for the Panthers.

McCabe said he was proud of the play of all his seniors, and was particularly pleased with what Mills was able to contribute in the title deciding game. “Felicia’s work on the draw was remarkable, and it was really fitting that she capped her career by not only making plays on the draw, but scoring the game winning goal.”

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