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“I kept hearing from people in different states how respected the Adelphi phys ed department is,” she says, “particularly in the fields of teaching and research. You could say I chose Adelphi because of its physical education department.鈥�

Caitlin Fitzpatrick 鈥�10 made 14 saves in the title game.

She didn鈥檛 expect the news, but there it was鈥� she鈥檇 been nominated by Lacrosse Magazine for national player of the year. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 believe it at first. Those nominations usually go to players from the Division I powerhouse schools, like Maryland or Northwestern,鈥� she says, referring to the fact that, while it is quite successful, the Adelphi women鈥檚 lacrosse team competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association鈥檚 Division II level. She quickly got used to the idea, though. 鈥淚t was such an honor to be nominated,鈥� she says, 鈥渢o be listed as one of the top four players in the country and recognized for all of the hard work that goes into being part of this team.鈥�

鈥檚 modesty belies her tremendous achievements as the women鈥檚 lacrosse team goalkeeper. According to Lacrosse Magazine, Ms. Fitzpatrick鈥檚 stunning 14 saves in goal allowed her team to capture its second consecutive NCAA Division II championship in 2010. Among her numerous honors are two C. Markland Kelly Awards, given to the top women鈥檚 lacrosse goaltender; being the only player named to the Intercollegiate Women鈥檚 Lacrosse Coaches Association First Team All-American in Division II in 2009 and 2010; and being named Northeast-10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. She concluded her Adelphi career with a 54鈥�2 record and 487 saves for the Panthers.

Ms. Fitzpatrick鈥檚 athletic success story began in Port Washington, New York, where she attended Paul D. Schreiber High School, and where she was a successful athlete from a young age. 鈥淚 played soccer, and we once went undefeated and won our conference championship,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 also competed in indoor track and field, and won a county championship for shot put.鈥� She first considered Adelphi for a variety of reasons. Its proximity to home was appealing, as it would make it easy for her family to see her play, but with academics her top priority and her strong interest in physical education, she did her research. 鈥淚 kept hearing from people in different states how respected the Adelphi phys ed department is,鈥� she says, 鈥減articularly in the fields of teaching and research. You could say I chose Adelphi because of its physical education department.鈥�

Even with a demanding athletic schedule, Ms. Fitzpatrick maintained a variety of interests off the field. 鈥淚 also am a member of the Port Washington volunteer fire department,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd head sailing instructor at the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club.鈥�

Earned success and welcome camaraderie marked her Adelphi experience. 鈥淗ands down,鈥� she says, 鈥渢he biggest highlights of my athletic career have been our two national championships, in 2009 and 2010. We were the first Division II team to repeat titles, which is a huge deal. There have been individual things, like the two C. Markland Kelly awards for best goalkeeper in Division II, or the Lacrosse Magazine nomination, but lacrosse is a team sport, and what we鈥檝e accomplished as a team are my biggest highlights on the field. She adds, 鈥淥ff the field, it鈥檚 the times outside of class and practice and games; the snowball fights outside the dorm, or the time we built a giant snowman on the baseball field after a blizzard.

Maybe the best thing of all is the relationships, the time spent bonding with my teammates and friends.鈥� Last December, Ms. Fitzpatrick was named an assistant coach of the women鈥檚 lacrosse team at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. 鈥淏etween my educational and athletic experiences at Adelphi, I gained a lot of knowledge,鈥� says Ms. Fitzpatrick. 鈥淎nd now I鈥檓 working to transfer that knowledge to my team at Bridgewater State.鈥�