A large group of Pace University lacrosse players from Long Island, along with their coaches and other teammates, captured this spring’s NCAA DII championship at the White House this week.
17 of 31 women Pace’s list Community from Long Island, including Kayla Conway of Wantagh. She is pictured above in pink, just over the left shoulder of Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It is an honor to meet Vice President Kamala Harris today and join the NCAA community in celebrating our athletic accomplishments,” said Conway, who graduated in May. “It’s an enduring memory and I can’t thank you enough.”
The Pace midfielder represented Pace on stage along with student-athletes from 47 other NCAA championship teams from the previous school year. Teams representing 19 sports from all three NCAA divisions were recognized on the South Lawn of the White House as part of “College Athlete Day” on June 12.
Conway scored 66 goals and contributed 85 points for the Derbys, helping them to a 21-2 record and an NCAA DII championship. On May 21, she scored a hat-trick in Pace’s 19-9 win over West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Emma Rafferty Bay Shore was Pace’s top scorer with 83 goals. She scored twice in the title game and three in Pace’s semifinal win over Florida Southern.
“It was so special to be welcomed into the White House as we were celebrating our national championship win,” said Rafferty, a midfielder who played as a graduate student. “Being able to share this moment with my teammates and management will be a memory I will never forget.”
“You make huge sacrifices – training through injuries, birthdays, holidays and even a pandemic,” vice president harris Tell the crowd. “All of you know what commitment and perseverance mean. And we know that over the course of a long season, sports teams often become a family too.
“You develop lifelong relationships. You demonstrate teamwork and character. You make those around you better in every way. You are leaders. You are role models. Of course, you are champions,” she added road.
Click here View the full roster for the Pace hockey team.
