BY JOHN OTANO
The Panthers continued their race to the top of the standings in the Northeast-10 conference with a resounding shutout of conference rival Pace University, 3-0, on September 16. It is the Panthers’ fifth win in their first six games, with four of those wins coming in conference play.
Adelphi entered the game as the 15th ranked Division II team in the nation and could rise with the win as Pace fell to 1-4-1 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
From the outset of the game, the Panthers were aggressive and got off 29 shots for the game while holding Pace to only three.
Junior Brianne McDonnell started the onslaught of offense by zipping through the defense off an assist from senior captain Kayte Kinsley. McDonnell, who leads the Panthers in goals (4), assists (3), and points (11), sent a ball soaring through the night, bending it just past Pace goalie Courtany Hagen.
The Panthers struck again just a minute later with an attack that ended with senior Karen Roveto getting her first goal of the season off a cross from junior Kristen Dexter. They continued their dominance through the second half when senior Amanda Popoli guided a pass from fellow senior Caitlin Morrison to find the back of the net to seal an Adelphi victory.
Head coach Rich Ilsley praised his team for their performance, but said that he couldn’t use this game as a measuring stick for the future of the season.
“We played well,” he said, “but I don’t think it was a particularly strong team that we played so it kind of gives you a false sense."
For the past 19 years, Ilsley has led the Women’s Soccer program to 10 of the last 18 NCAA Division II tournaments. Over that span, Ilsley has amassed a staggering 249-70-25 record.
Ilsley’s overall winning percentage has him ranked 13th among all NCAA coaches and second at the Division II level. He attributes much of his success to being fortunate enough to have had great players to coach.
“It’s no secret that if you don’t have the right people pulling the cart, you’re not going anywhere,” he said. “The key is to have good players and getting them to work together.”
Success for the team is measured with league championships and an entry into the NSCAA Division II tournament. Last season the Panthers finished with a 14-4-1 record but missed a bid to the NSCAA tournament, which qualifies it as a disappointing season by team standards. Ilsley made it clear that the goal of his program, every year, is not only to gain a bid but to also do well throughout the tournament.
“That is always the goal,” Ilsley said. “That is the end all, be all. That was our disappointment last year; we didn’t get a bid. That is always the goal of this team is to make it into the tournament. Once you make it in, once you get your foot in the door, then everything is open.
“Is it attainable? Yes. Can we? That remains to be seen.”
Although the bar is set incredibly high for his players, Junior Brianne McDonnell made it clear that Adelphi Women’s Soccer is ready to clear the bar completely.
“One thing that is special about Adelphi Women's Soccer is that every year we have a team that can compete for a National Championship. That is our main goal every year: to be the last team standing in the nation. This year I really think that we can do it. We have proved ourselves to be competitive and we have beaten some of the best teams in the nation and are good enough to not settle for anything less.”
Despite the competitive nature of this group of girls, McDonnell explains that this team is more than just your ordinary soccer club.
“This team has grown to be a family. It is great to be a part of a group of girls that I can call my best friends. We all support each other on and off the field no matter what.”
Be a part of the Panthers’ push to the postseason by checking out their schedule in the Women’s Soccer section of the Adelphi Official Athletic website, http://aupanthers.cstv.com.
