The NCAA News - News and Features

May 5, 1997

Division II

Pioneers look tough to beat

Event: 1997 Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship.

Overview: Defending champion Long Island-C. W. Post, Adelphi and New York Tech are fighting for the championship's two berths (most of the trio's head-to-head games were played after this issue of The NCAA News went to press). Post has lost only to defending Divison III champion Nazareth, but faces Tech and Adelphi in its last two games. The Pioneers, who jumped to their best start since 1985, are led by Dave Loiacono, who had 22 goals and 23 assists through eight games. Goalie Vin Fredericks returned to school after a two-year absence and has manned the nets admirably, posting a .671 saves percentage and a 6.95 goals-against average. With the exception of the Nazareth loss and a 6-3 win over Pace, all of the Pioneers' scores have been one-sided .... Adelphi, which has appeared in three of the last four title games, already has beaten New York Tech, 17-16. The Panthers host Post in the last game of the season. Assuming the team wins its other games, a victory should assure Adelphi of a bid. Just like Post, the Panthers' only loss came against a Division III powerhouse -- Salisbury State, 11-6. Except for three games, no team has come closer than six goals to Adelphi. Peter Friedman leads the attack with 20 goals and 19 assists. Mark Mangan has a team-best 25 goals, plus 10 assists. Rob Grella has 22 goals and seven assists. In goal, Rich Grismer has posted a .709 saves percentage .... New York Tech has not beaten Post since 1994, when the team last appeared in the title game. The Bears, who outscore their opponents by 7.5 goals per contest, are led by Joe Brock, who had 26 goals and 38 assists through 10 games. Until a recent 9-7 win over Bentley, Brock had scored a point in 21 straight games. In addition to the Adelphi setback, the Bears have lost to Salisbury State, 13-6.

Field: Two teams will be selected to play a championship game.

Dates and sites: The championship game will be May 10 or 11 on the campus of one of the participating institutions.

Information/results: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/399-3060, passcode 1915. The request number for championship-game results is 5128. Results also will be posted on the World Wide Web at www.ncaa.org. Championship results will appear in the May 19 issue of The NCAA News.