Dec. 7, 2007

Stony Brook, N.Y. - A strong season by its fall teams has placed Stony Brook University third in the America East 2007-08 Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner's Cup standings released this week. The Seawolves had outstanding success across the board in the fall, winning one conference championship, one regular season championship and sending one team to NCAA championship competition.

One of the highlights of the fall season for SBU was the America East Cross Country Championship which was hosted by the Seawolves at their new on-campus facility. The women's squad came home with the team title, placing five runners in the top-10 as it claimed it's first-ever conference championship. The men were close as well, finishing second by a mere two points at the championship, led by sophomore Alex Felce's (Stroud, England) first-place finish.

Stony Brook's women's team did not stop there, going on to claim second at the NCAA Northeast Region meet, qualifying for the NCAA Championships where the team finished 31st. Head Coach Andy Ronan, whose teams produced nine All-America East runners, was named the women's Northeast Region Coach of the Year for his efforts, with he and his staff getting America East Staff of the Year honors on the women's side as well.

Volleyball proved to be another outstanding season at Stony Brook, with the team setting a new Division I record for wins with its final 24-8 record. The Seawolves claimed their first America East regular season title after cruising through league play with an 11-1 record, making it all the way to the finals of the conference tournament. The team was led by senior Jackie Ahlers (Stony Point, N.Y.) who earned all-region honors after being selected the America East Player of the Year. The team dominated the conference awards; with senior Kaitlyn Deutsch (St. Louis, Mo.) recognized as the conference Setter of the Year and head coach Deborah Matejka-DesLauriers the Coach of the Year. In all the Seawolves had four players earn all-conference honors.

Women's soccer also had a strong season, qualifying for the America East Tournament and hosting it's first-ever tournament match. The Seawolves won that match (2-1 over Maine), advancing to the semifinals of the tournament. Senior Jackie Timmes (Mastic, N.Y.) and junior Brooke Barbuto (Syracuse, N.Y.) were each named first team All-America East after helping the team post its best-ever record in Division I at 8-5-5.

Men's soccer finished just a point away from qualifying for the America East Tournament, finishing with a 9-7-3 overall record. Seniors Michael Palacio (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Yahaya Musa (Elmont, N.Y.) earned first team All-America East honors for the Seawolves.

While not a part of the America East, the Stony Brook football team found success as well in 2007. The Seawolves, playing as an independent in 2007 before moving to the Big South Conference next season, finished 6-5 overall, including a perfect 5-0 mark at home and the program's first win against a full-scholarship FCS team, a 30-23 double-overtime thriller against Maine. Playing against their toughest schedule ever (one that included four games against ranked opponents), the squad posted its fourth winning record over the past six seasons.

In the Commissioner's Cup standings Stony Brook has a five-point edge over fourth-place Binghamton and trails second-place Boston University by 28 points. New Hampshire leads the standings with a total of 144 points.

For the complete America East release on the Commissioner's Cup standings please Click Here.