No. 2 Women's Lacrosse And No. 23 Softball Gear Up For NCAA Postseason Run
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - Most teams have the same goal for every season. They look to make it to post season play and have a shot at being the best team in the nation. The C.W. Post women's lacrosse team and softball team are no exception to that dream. For both teams the stage has been set, and they'll have their shot to prove just how good they are this weekend, as they each host their respective NCAA regional tournaments.
Postseason play is not a new concept to either team. The women's lacrosse team will be making an appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse tournament for the third consecutive year. The team has had the honor of playing in the tournament a record breaking eight times, capturing championship wins in the 2001 and 2007 seasons.
The softball team will be making its eighth straight NCAA appearance since 2002. Although the team has never had a championship win, they have succeeded past regional play to the NCAA Division II World Series for the past two seasons.
For both teams, this weekend will be a make it or break it point. Losses in the regional tournament would mark the end of the season, crushing the dream of being named the top team in Division II.
The women's lacrosse team, who posted an overall record of 15-2, has maintained a national ranking throughout the season. They are currently ranked second in Division II behind East Coast Conference rival Adelphi University. C.W. Post will be hosting the University of New Haven this Saturday at 1 p.m., hoping to advance past regional play to the NCAA Semifinal game.
The Pioneers suffered a tough 14-9 loss to Adelphi on May 2, their only loss to a Division II team this season. The win awarded the Panthers with an ECC title and an automatic bid into the semifinals, held at Kerr Field, in Salem, Virginia.
The location of the 2009 NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse Championship is well known one to the Pioneers. In 2007 C.W. Post played on the same field and defeated West Chester University 15-7 and captured the program's second championship title. Another championship win at the same location would be a memorable and overwhelming experience for the team's juniors and seniors, who were part of the 2007 championship team.
Mental strength will be key for the Pioneers to earn a win this weekend. A victory would place the Pioneers in a situation that is all too familiar; a semifinal game against Adelphi University. Last year, C.W. Post suffered a hard 7-4 loss to Adelphi in the regular season. Both teams met again during the NCAA semifinal game in Houston, Texas, where C.W. Post captured a 9-4 win before ultimately falling to West Chester in the final game, 13-12.
The importance of Saturday's game against New Haven has a lit a fire and give a new focus to the Pioneers.
“To prepare for this weekend I think we had to refocus after Saturday's game,” says junior captain
Kim Williams. “Mentally we saw that we really need to be strong. We know that every team that we play from here on is going to be a very strong team and we need to give it our best every minute of this weekend's game.”
The team will concentrate on the little things to help them obtain their ultimate goal. They know that goals and saves what keeps them ahead on the score board, but minimal things, such as ground balls, draw controls, and solid defense make the difference between a good team and a great team. Earlier this season C.W. Post hosted New Haven, edging out the Chargers for a 14-11 win.
“We know that we have to work so hard this week because if we don't, then there is no next week,” says Williams, “I think as long as long as we play as a team and give it everything we have, we have so much to achieve.”
The softball team is a nationally ranked force as well. In current NFCA polls, C.W. Post is ranked 23rd in the latest NFCA coaches poll. The Pioneers have been awarded the second seed in this year's regional tournament and will share hosting duties with top-seeded LeMoyne College.
Last weekend the Pioneers captured their second straight ECC Championship title, giving them a boost of confidence and mentally preparing them for this weekend.
“We're preparing for this weekend the same way we prepare for any other game,” says senior first baseman
Ashley Marchese. “ We always try to treat each game the same and let the other team put the pressure on themselves instead of on us. We've been doing a great job of that recently at the end of the season and in the conference tournament, and I believe we will carry it into regionals.”
The Pioneers softball team will be hosting half of the NCAA Division II East tournament. The NCAA split the regions this season, hosting two four-team tournaments rather than one eight team tournament. The winner of each regional tournament will advance to the Super Regionals for a best-of-three championship. The ultimate victor advances to the College World Series, also in Salem, Va.
Ironically enough, the softball team is set to host New Haven in the first game of the East 2 Regional. This is a familiar scene to the Pioneers, who played New Haven in the first round of Northeast Regional tournament in 2008, earning an 8-7 win. Thanks to the beauty of double elimination, the Pioneers faced New Haven a second time in the tournament, defeating the Chargers 9-2, and advancing to the Division II World Series.
Earlier this season, C.W. Post split with New Haven. The Pioneers took the first game, 2-0, falling to the Chargers 0-2 in game two of the series. The familiarity with their opponent gives the Pioneers a strong advantage, allowing them to focus on themselves and their personal game plan, rather than their opponents.
“As long as we keep an even approach, we will be able to carry what we've been doing into the weekend,” says Marchese. After posting an impressive 33-16 overall record this season, it is definitely safe to say whatever the Pioneers have been doing, they are on the right track.