Spring, 2000

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The 1999-00 season was a historic one for the Stony Brook athletics program. While most of the athletic teams embarked on their first season of Division I competition, the Stony Brook lacrosse team also kicked off a new era. Although it was its 12th season of Division I competition, it marked the first season as a member of the newly formed ECAC Lacrosse League. The ECAC would feature some of the best teams in the nation and during the season four of the six teams were ranked in the Top 20.

The Seawolves tackled a 16-game schedule, the biggest slate in the program's history. Ten of those games were played at Seawolves Field, including a matchup with the defending national champion, Virginia Cavaliers. Stony Brook started off slow, dropping is first six games before rebounding to register wins over Radford and Providence. Later in the year, they reeled on three straight victories to improve their record to 5-8. Unfortunately, coach Espey and his troops ran into some tough competition down the stretch and finished the season with a 5-11 record. One of the highlights to the season was a 7-6 upset win over Ohio State back on April 16. The Seawolves took control of the game in the second quarter as Kevin Pall scored the natural hat trick to build a 5-2 advantage. Ohio State rallied and got to within 7-6 in the fourth but goalie Tom Bushy, filling in for John Dobias who was in the penalty box, made a game-saving stop in the final minute to preserve the win.

The final record of the 2000 season does not indicate the great strides that Stony Brook lacrosse made this year which saw several individuals come to the forefront. Kevin Pall (Merrick, NY) was undoubtedly the surprise of the 2000 season. The sophomore middie astounded the lacrosse community as he exploded for 34 goals, including 13 multiple-goal games. He finished as the team leader in goals scored, extra-man goals, game-winning goals, shots and points scored (38). What made Pall's performance surprising was the fact that he did not register a single point last year, let alone a goal, and was able to find the net 34 times this season. Pall used his freshman year to learn the midfield position after playing crease attack at Calhoun HS. The hard work paid off and the results took the form of goals that came in bunches.

Of Pall's 13 multiple-goal efforts, most of them came against top-notch competition. He registered hat tricks against #6 Georgetown and #2 Virginia while notching a pair versus #9 Navy and #20 Penn State. He scored a goal in every game this season and his 34-goal season ranks as the eighth-best single season goal scoring performance in school history. It is only the third time in the last ten seasons that a Stony Brook player has scored 30 or more goals in a season.

Dominic D'Orazio (Bethpage, NY) closed out his career in fine fashion. Finishing with 13 goals and 11 assists, D'Orazio became the 12th player in the program's history to record 100 points in a career. He totaled 110 points, eighth-best all-time in a four-year career.

Jesse Foss (Levittown, NY) added some punch at the attack spot for Stony Brook this year. The junior transfer became the team's best playmaker, leading the squad in assists with 16. He also found the net 13 times and went on a 12-game point scoring streak during the year.

Newcomer Nick Ceballos (Lindenhurst, NY) netted 12 goals and eight assists this year. The transfer provided speed and consistency at the midfield spot while sophomore attackman Tris Gillen (Oswego, NY) emerged as one of the most improved players this season Gillen started 14 games at attack, using his stick skills to score 11 goals and set up five others.

Midfielder Denis Scannell (Wantagh, NY) continued to show why he is the team's best all-around player. Scannell took faceoffs, ran the midfield and triggered the Stony Brook offense. Voted the team's Most Valuable Player, Scannell added 10 goals and five assists while leading the team in ground balls (59). Jon Tompkins (New Hyde Park, NY) saw plenty of time both at midfield and at attack this season Starting 14 games this year, Tompkins also provided coach Espey with consistent play throughout the year. Scoring 10 goals and dishing out five assists, Tompkins should continue to improve and be counted on for big things next year.

Phil Archabald (Orchard Park, NY) started seven games this year after only starting one last year. Nicknamed "Crazy" by his teammates, the sophomore attackman scored a career-high seven goals in 2000, giving coach Espey another player at attack. Newcomer Matt Toner (Baldwin, NY) developed nicely as the season wore on. The Baldwin High School graduate boasts an outstanding shots and showed plenty of promise when he was on the field. In limited action, Toner was able to notch four goals and five assists.

Long stick middie James Smith (Garden City, NY) continued to display the intensity that characterized his freshman year. He scooped 58 ground balls on the year, second best on the team. Smith also saw time at close defense this year. Justin Bell (Lindenhurst, NY) also saw time as a long-stick middie. He scooped up 19 ground balls this year. Freshman Dennis Nafte (Long Beach, NY) also opened some eyes this year as one of the team's primary faceoff men. Nafte improved with each and every game and finished the year winning 76 of 145 faceoffs (.524).

Sophomore Matt Campolettano (Massapequa Park, NY) emerged as one of the most versatile performers for coach Espey this season, starting 13 games. In the fall, he was moved to close defense and played two games at that position this spring before being moved back to the midfield spot. One of the strongest players on the team, Camp scored five times in 2000. Sean Ehatt (East Islip, NY) made a significant contribution at midfield appearing in all 16 games in his first season. The defense was anchored by sophomore Dan DaPonte (Baldwin, NY), senior Jeff Puglia (Hicksville, NY) and freshman Mike Sakowich (New Hyde Park, NY). The trio accounted for 43 game starts this season. Smith also made a big contribution at close defense while Dante Daddi (Merrick, NY) saw limited time at the position this year.

John Dobias (Port Jefferson Sta tion, NY) carried the bulk of the load in goal for Stony Brook this season. Dobias started all 16 games, registering four wins along with a .547 save percentage. Dobias faced 516 shots this year, recording 10 double-digit save efforts, including two 20-save performances that came against Bucknell and Lafayette. Backup Tom Bushy (N. Falmouth, MA) appeared in nine games this year, earning one win.

Rounding out the 2000 squad were a combination of newcomers and returning players. Frank Barile (Plainview, NY), Lee Levine (Shirley, NY), Ralph LoVerde (New Hyde Park, NY), and Tim McCabe (Smithtown, NY) all contributed this season.

Paw Prints * Kevin Pall's 34 goals was the eighth-best single-season goal scoring performance in the program's history

* Dominic D'Orazio registered his 100th career point versus Georgetown in April. He is the 12th player in the program's history to accomplish that feat

* The 16-game schedule was the most games SB has ever played in one season

* Stony Brook faced five Top 20 teams this season

* Jesse Foss led the team in assists with 16

* John Dobias turned in two 20-save efforts this season