On a warm Saturday in May, the Lady Lions of Molloy University, made history, by winning the the East Coast Conference Championship, for the first time! The Lions overcame an early 5 – 1 deficit, to defeat the host, Mercy Mavericks by a score of 15 – 13, in an epic battle on the banks of the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry, NY. These Lions have staged a remarkable turnaround, winning nine consecutive games, after beginning the season, 1 – 8!

After Wednesday’s Semi Final victory in Rochester, the Lions returned to Long Island early Thursday morning, with only two days to prepare for the Championship Game at Mercy on Saturday. As I returned to the practice field (2 days Post Op!), you could see right away, our team was fatigued. The game against Roberts Wesleyan had been physically and emotionally draining. By contrast, Mercy had an easy time of it , with a 21 – 2 win at home, against Daemen, in their Semi Final Game. As I looked forward to the Final, I worried about how much gas we had left in our tank.

Physically, we looked better, at Friday’s practice, though I still didn’t see the kind of energy you would like see, the day before the biggest game in program history. But, while we were still getting our legs back under us, our focus was laser sharp! I fact, I have never seen us more locked in.

We left Campus before 8am, yesterday (Saturday), and the bus made good time getting up to Mercy. As we made our way down to the field, the temperature was rising, only adding to my concerns about our collective fatigue.

When the Mavericks opened an early 3 – 1 lead, it seemed as if my concern was well founded. I thought, maybe we had left our legs on the long bus ride back from Rochester. Mercy extended the lead to 5 – 1, about five minutes into the second quarter. It was at this point, the Lions began to claw their way back into the game, tying the contest at 5, with five minutes remaining in the half, and taking their first lead of 7 – 6, with 2:32 to go in the first half. At the intermission, we led 8 – 7!

The second half was a tightly contested affair with the teams exchanging the lead several times and neither team being able to gain more than a one goal advantage, until the Lions scored with 5:29 remaining in the game, to take a 14 – 12 edge. Mercy made it 14 – 13 with 4:06 to go. But the Lions pushed the lead back to two, making it 15 – 13, with 2:19 left on the clock. The final two minutes were filled with anxiety, as the Mavericks tried desperately to get the ball back, but to no avail, as the Lions were able to hold them off, securing their first Conference Championship!

After the game, the Lions lingered. First on the field, for the post game ceremonies, and later in the parking lot with Lions Nation! It turned into one of those magical days, that are unforgettable. In sports, many things have to go right for a team to claim a championship. Most teams and athletes, never get to experience it. So, this is something we will all cherish!

We stayed at Mercy to watch our Men’s Team win their Conference Championship by defeating Mercy 11 – 10 in Overtime! This only added to what was already, an incredible day! After cutting down the net, we finally, embarked on the return trip to Long Island. Needless to say, the bus ride was raucous. By the time I returned home, it was almost 8pm! A long day for sure, one I will not forget!

Now we wait for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show (tonight), to find out our next opponent and the next stop on this “Magic Carpet Ride” of a season! Having already accomplished our biggest goals, we are “playing with House Money”, as they say. Whoever and where ever, it is, we will enjoy it! Stay tuned!

GO LIONS!