LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 2009 Adelphi University Lady
Panthers Women's Lacrosse Team upon the occasion of capturing the NCAA
National Division II Championship, and on their outstanding season

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in honoring talented New
York State college athletes who distinguish themselves, their school,
and their community through outstanding athletic performance; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 Adelphi University Lady Panthers Women's Lacrosse
Team achieved unparalleled excellence in winning the NCAA Division II
National Championship, and in their outstanding undefeated season; and
WHEREAS, On May 17, 2009, Adelphi University became the first school
in Division II history to capture three national women's lacrosse
titles; and
WHEREAS, Leading Lock Haven by a single goal twenty minutes into the
championship game, the Lady Panthers of Adelphi University ripped off
six straight goals to enter the half with a 9-2 advantage, and finished
with a dazzling 16-4 victory; this was the largest margin of victory in
an NCAA Division II women's lacrosse championship game; and
WHEREAS, With their win in the NCAA national championship game, the
Adelphi University women's lacrosse team closed out the 2009 season
undefeated with a spotless 18-0 record, and captured their first NCAA
women's lacrosse title since 2006; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Head Coach Joe Spallina, and Assistant Coaches,
Jennifer Fucich, Krista Pellizzi and Robyn Pastuch, skilled and inspira-
tional tutors, respected for their ability to develop potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the 2009 Adelphi University
Lady Panthers Women's Lacrosse Team members have proven themselves to be
an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their
school; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Joe Spallina and his team of assistant coaches
have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the 2009 Adel-
phi University Lady Panthers Women's Lacrosse Team members toward their
goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach Joe Spallina, his assistant coaches, and the
2009 Adelphi University Lady Panthers Women's Lacrosse Team's outstand-
ing athletes have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excel-
lence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the 2009 Adelphi University Lady Panthers Women's Lacrosse
Team; its members: Courtney Acker, Nicole Bass, Laura Bennett, Jackie
Bogensberger, Arielle Burke, Holly Burke, Kaitlyn Carter, Michelle Cera-
so, Lauren Cornelius, Erica Devito, Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Lauren Fox,
Brittany Fronczak, Tara Gangarossa, Jeannine Holz, Danielle Kafarski,
Lindsay Kane, Christina Kozakiewicz, Alyssa LaBosco, Nicole Lein, Nicole
Liebermann, Marissa Mills, Corinne Pingitore, Rachel Ray, Emily Simpson,
Vanessa Sotcheff, Alison Staudt, Allison Tumulty, Mariel Wenzel, Lindsay

Whitfield, and Joanna Zahra; and Head Coach Joe Spallina, and Assistant
Coaches, Jennifer Fucich, Krista Pellizzi and Robyn Pastuch, on the
occasion of capturing the NCAA Women's Division II National Lacrosse
Championship, and on their outstanding season; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the 2009 Adelphi University Lady Panthers
Women's Lacrosse Team, and to Head Coach Joe Spallina, and Assistant
Coaches, Jennifer Fucich, Krista Pellizzi and Robyn Pastuch.