Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Happy Holidays! 


From Adelphi University Women's Lacrosse Coaches, 

Rob Grella, Erica DeVito, Nicole Flego, and Brittany Davis


Monday, December 9, 2013

Getting to know: Kelly Osmulski


Kelly Osmulski



This is Alexa Froccaro reporting from the Center for Recreation and Sports. I'm here today with Kelly Osmulski, who will be playing for Adelphi's women's lacrosse team in the 2014 season. 


1. What is your name and position and where are you from?

 
Hi, my name is Kelly Osmulski. I'm from Summit New Jersey and I play midfield. 



Transfer Kelly Osmulski is looking forward to the 2014 season.

2. You transferred from Division I UMass. Why did you go Division II and why did you choose Adelphi?

I decided to come to Adelphi because academically I needed smaller classes, and I also still wanted to play lacrosse and I didn't want the commitment as a D1 player, so I thought D2 would be the best.

3. What are you most looking forward to now that you are a Panther?

The thing that I'm most looking forward to when being a Panther is that playing with a group of girls who are as good as D1 players and winning a national championship with them this season. 

4. What advice do you have for girls who want to play lacrosse in college?

 The tip that I have for girls playing in college is that they should really go to a school that they actually love and can see themselves at academically, socially, and then sport wise. 

  5. Do you have any superstitions?

 No, I don't have any superstitions on the field. I just like to go out there and kick some ass. I don't know if I can say that? 

6. Who is your sports idle?


My sports idle is my dad, because he was a really good athlete when he was younger. He played in the minor leagues for the Cleveland Indians, and he also helped me throughout all of the three sports I played which was soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.


Osmulski has "Pantherswag"

Sunday, December 8, 2013

How To: Play Midfield

Midfielders in lacrosse have to play both offense and defense. In order to do this, players must be in impeccable shape, because they have control over the entire field, and not just one section. Though midfield can be daunting at times, a great midfielder can change the pace of an entire game.
Junior Felicia Mills winning a draw at midfield.
Photo c/o photos.syracuse.com
Some things that you must be good at in order to be a great midfielder are:

1. Be in great physical shape:
A good midfielder needs to dominate in both settled situations and in transition. Though there are sometimes midfield lines (each "line" consists of new midfielders who sub in to give others a break), there can be situations when teams don't score goals for minutes at a time. Because of that, your chances of subbing out for rest are limited. Be sure that you can run for long amounts of time, and at different speeds. This will help you adjust to the constant movement during a game.
Sophomore Rachel Aitkens running the ball up the field.*

2. Work on your stick skills:
A midfielder constantly has the ball. Whether it is in transition (going from one side of the field to the other) or in a settled situation, having good stick skills is a must. Play some wall ball or pass around with a teammate to fine tune your catching and throwing skills.

3. Work on ground balls:
Ground balls may seem like something that are relatively easy to get. However, if you are going after a ground ball that four other girls are running at as well, you must be able to beat them. You have to bend down, scoop the ball and bring it close to your face (so no one can check you). Ground balls can change the pace of an entire game, because if you capitalize on them whether it be off the draw or when someone turns it over, the ball is in your stick and not your opponents.
Junior Danielle Jaycox scooping up a ground ball.*

4. Know how to play defense:
As aforementioned in a prior post, defense is one of the most important positions in women's lacrosse. Your defense can make or break you, and being a midfielder, you must be in sync with other defenders. One misstep and it can lead to a goal.

The Panthers have a very strong midfield. This year it will be led by juniors Felicia Mills and Danielle Jaycox. Jaycox was a Second-Team All-Region pick by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association as well as one of six players chosen for the Northeast-10 All-Tournament Team.

Captain Meg Brown will also be making her return to midfield after an ACL injury took her out in the second game of the 2013 season, against Molloy. Sophomore Rachel Aitkens and transfer Kelly Osmulski will also be taking the field as midfielders in the 2014 season.



Senior Meg Brown will step on Motamed Field once again for her
fourth season with the Panthers this Spring. *

*Photos c/o aupanthers.com