Lacrosse Magazine: Different Motto, Same Results for LIU Post
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Published: May 16, 2013 \
By MARK MACYK
LIU Post's motto last year was "25 Strong." It emphasized that regardless of what got thrown their way, you couldn't break the Pioneers' spirit. One player would get hurt, another was ready to step in. They rode that mantra all the way to the NCAA championship.
They've changed things up this season.
“Every year we have a different team and a different dynamic,” said LIU Post coach Meghan McNamara. “The girls have a lot of love for each other. This is a really special team. We have a new motto. I'll keep you posted.”
It's a cryptic answer and a little surprising because last year's motto could certainly apply to this year's squad. They haven't had the same injury issues, and the roster only lists 24 players, but this remains one of Division II's deepest teams.
Post's dynamic 1-2 punch of Jackie Sileo and Ashley Olen draws attention, but teams that think this is a two-person team are often in for a rude awakening.
“Every person is so vital to our success,” McNamara said.
Indeed, even on the rare occasion an opponent has been able to shut down Sileo and Olen (Relatively speaking; in this case shutting down means allowing five points instead of 10), the Pioneers (18-0) have yet to be defeated.
The scoring numbers from Olen (81-21-106) and Sileo (55-115-170) are mind-boggling but lacrosse is a sport where you're never guaranteed possession. Post wouldn't be scoring much if it wasn't for Abbie Ross (55 draw controls, “One of a kind,” according to McNamara) and Kali Maxwell (89 draw controls) consistently providing possession.
Or Sam Losco, who McNamara described as a “feisty little devil.” Losco ranks fifth in goals (33) and fourth in assists (17), and is the kind of spunky player who raises her game in the kind of big moments this weekend will produce.
The same goes for Morgan Chiarenza, who does the dirty work on the offense side.
“You never know what amazing thing she's gonna do next,” McNamara said.
Then there are contributors like Brie-Claire Drost (22 ground balls, 11 caused turnovers) Katie Rotan (team-high 33 ground balls), smart players who read the field well.
“The heart and soul of the midfield,” McNamara said.
And of course, the defense in front of goalie Dominique Mosca (6.53, fourth in D2), which is led by a United States Marine.
So maybe the Pioneers aren't 25 strong this year, but they certainly run 24 deep.
That's why LIU Post heads into this weekend's Final Four with plenty of confidence to face Adelphi for the first time all year. It was the first time since at least 2004 that the teams didn't face in the regular season.
It will also be the first time since 2008 that these teams meet without Adelphi as the defending champion. That title now belongs to the Pioneers.
“We're just excited to be back,” McNamara said. “We're really pumped to be where we're at right now.”