Adelphi Clinches Second Consecutive Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship
With just 12 seconds remaining, the University of Tampa called a timeout, a decision that would alter the course of the game. Adelphi men’s lacrosse seized the moment, clinching their second consecutive Division II national championship in a nail-biting 9-8 overtime victory.
“Everyone’s hearts just dropped,” reflected junior midfielder Kyle Lewis, who netted the decisive goal in overtime. “Right after the timeout, we got our emotions back and knew we had a game to play.” His golden goal marked a pivotal moment in the match, showcasing the resilience of the team.
Head coach Gordon Purdie orchestrated a strategic play designed specifically for Lewis, recognizing his relentless work ethic. “He’s maybe the hardest working player on my team,” Purdie noted, emphasizing the importance of the opportunity Lewis earned with 2:41 left in overtime.
Lewis, hailing from Franklin Square, described the surreal experience: “If you look back at the video, I had to see if everything that was going on was real. It felt like just a dream.” He also acknowledged the significant contributions of junior middie Vincent McDermott, who scored four goals during the match.
Looking ahead, Lewis stated, “Going into next year, we’re not going to look back at what we did this year. When September starts, so does the goal to win another national championship.” The team’s focus remains sharp as they prepare for future challenges.
Meanwhile, excitement brews in Carle Place as both the baseball and softball teams have claimed Nassau County titles and are set to face Babylon for Long Island championships. “It’s been 20 years since the last title for baseball,” senior shortstop Patrick McCarthy shared, looking forward to his future at Manhattanville College.
McCarthy expressed optimism about the program's future: “It’s going to continue this way. We have a lot of young guys that are brought into the program.”
On the softball side, senior pitcher Marissa Nosovitch, who will continue her career at Kutztown University, emphasized the bond within her team. “We’ve been playing together since kindergarten,” she said. “This would mean the world to all of us.”
In upcoming matchups, top-seeded Wantagh is set to face No. 3 Seaford on Friday at Farmingdale State at 1 p.m. for Game 2 of the Class A baseball title series. In softball, No. 1 MacArthur will take on No. 2 Glen Cove at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Game 2 of the AA Class final at FSU.
