Goal Oriented
Senior forward Samantha Russo of the women’s soccer team capped her career by being named second-team all-Mid-Atlantic Region, Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-Landmark Conference, as well as District IV All-Academic. She finished her career with 32 goals, including 15 game-winners and 23 assists.
Thrills & Kills
Junior outside hitter Julia Crilly earned first-team all-Landmark Conference honors while leading the women’s volleyball team to a semifinal playoff appearance. She recorded the 1,000th kill of her career while leading the Royals in kills, digs, service aces and total attacks this past fall.
Coach Earns Another Accolade
Head coach Colleen Murphy led the women’s soccer team to a 15-3-3 record and its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, helping to earn her Landmark Conference Coach of the Year honors. It’s the second time Coach Murphy has been recognized by the Landmark Conference, and she now has 77 victories in her six seasons as head coach.
Rising Star
Sophomore defender Erin Casey had a breakout season with the women’s soccer team, earning Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team all-conference honors despite overcoming an injury during the season. Despite being the team’s top defender, she contributed three goals, two of which won games. The third was a game-tying goal in the final minute of the Landmark Conference championship.
Staunch Defender
Junior Defender Jessica Pankey of the field hockey team earned first-team all-Landmark Conference honors while leading the Royals to a 14-6 record and the team’s first appearance in the Landmark Conference championship. She anchored a defense that allowed just 1.26 goals per game, the fourth-lowest mark in school history.
Leading on the Links
The men’s golf team continued its successful run over the past few seasons by winning six matches and two tournaments during the fall season, including the first Anthracite Golf Championship at the Royals’ home course, Glenmaura National Golf Club. The Royals are also in second place, just nine shots out of the lead, after two rounds of the Empire 8 Conference championships, led by sophomore Eric Montella, who is tied for fourth, four shots out of the individual lead.
Catch Her If You Can
Senior Cara Notarianni of the women’s cross-country team earned first-team all-Landmark Conference honors by leading the Royals with a fifth-place finish at the conference championship in November. A week later, she finished 32nd at the NCAA regional, the highest finish by a Royal in 10 years.
Soccer Standout
Senior midfielder Bill McGuiness had another standout season for the men’s soccer team, being named first-team Academic All-American, second-team All-American, first-team all-Mid-Atlantic Region and first-team all-Landmark Conference. He finished his career with 23 goals, including 10 game-winners, and 15 assists.
800 Strong
Women’s basketball head coach Mike Strong became the first coach in NCAA Division III women’s basketball history to win 800 games when his Lady Royals defeated Juniata, 75-57, on Saturday, Jan. 11, in the Long Center. Strong becomes the second coach in all of NCAA Division III to win 800 games, joining Franklin & Marshall head men’s basketball coach Glenn Robinson. He is also the 10th women’s basketball coach at all NCAA levels to reach 800 victories.
See the moment Coach Strong reached his 800th win on our YouTube channel and read more in Royal News.
