National Championship win marks first time in school history
Pace University”™s women”™s lacrosse team joined college athletes from across the country at the White House in June to celebrate the team”™s 2023 NCAA National Championship.
The Setters joined 47 teams from schools across the country including University of Texas, Penn State, University of Virginia, Stanford University, and University of North Carolina, among others. The teams represented 19 sports from all three NCAA divisions — national championship winners — that were recognized on the South Lawn of the White House as part of “College Athlete Day.”
“You made tremendous sacrifices ”” training through injuries, birthdays, vacations, and even a pandemic,” Vice President Kamala Harris told the crowd. “You know, all of you, what it means to commit and to persevere. And we know that so often, during the course of a long season, sports teams also become a family. You develop life-long relationships. You demonstrate teamwork and character. You make the people around you better in every way. You are leaders. You are role models. And, of course, you are champions.”
Pace University women”™s lacrosse team completed its historic season with a national championship, defeating No. 1 ranked West Chester University, 19-9, on May 21 in Indianapolis to win the first title in program history. The 19 goals scored by The Setters were the most-ever scored in a DII Women”™s Lacrosse championship game, and they are the first NCAA collegiate team in Westchester County to win a national championship.
The Setters, who finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 21-2 record, won a staggering 17 games against ranked opponents during the 2023 season.
The visit to the White House was a tremendous honor for the program and the university, said Head Coach Tricia Molfetta, who is in her sixth year with the team.
“It was such an incredible honor to be welcomed to the White House by President Biden and Vice President Harris for College Athlete Day,” said Coach Molfetta. “It was amazing to see so many student-athletes together and join in celebrating all of our successes this academic year. I am so grateful we were able to end our year in such a monumental way and I know the experience today will be one this team will share with their friends and families for the rest of their lives.”
“Being invited to the White House was truly an unforgettable experience and I am so glad I was able to share it with my whole team,” said Angelina Porcello, National Player of the Year, of Eastchester, N.Y. “It was an honor to celebrate our championship win alongside our fellow NCAA championship athletes.”
