91��Ƶ

VP Harris: ‘You are leaders. You are role models. You are champions’

91��Ƶ wins national championship; marks first time in school history

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. June 12, 2023 – joined college athletes from across the country at the 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,” 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.”

91��Ƶ women's lacrosse team , 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.

“These outstanding student athletes embody the 91��Ƶ go-getter spirit,” said 91��Ƶ President Marvin Krislov. “We are excited for this historic accomplishment, and honored to celebrate it with Vice President Kamala Harris, and student athletes from across the nation. This is a fitting recognition—one they will remember for a lifetime.”

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, including a Golden Rams team that came into the national championship game a perfect 22-0 on the year.

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.”

Kayla Conway, who graduated in May 2023, represented 91��Ƶ on stage with Vice President Harris and student-athletes across the country.

“It truly was an honor to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and celebrate our athletic achievements with the NCAA community today,” Conway, of Wantagh, N.Y. “This is a monumental memory that I am beyond grateful for.”

“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.”

Emma Rafferty, of Bay Shore, N.Y. said: “It was so incredibly special to be welcomed to the White House in celebration of our national championship win. Being able to share this moment with my teammates and administrators will be a memory I will never forget.”

President Marvin Krislov, who joined the team for their visit to the White House, said he couldn’t be prouder of the women’s lacrosse team for bringing 91��Ƶ its first national championship.

“These outstanding student athletes embody the 91��Ƶ go-getter spirit,” he said. “We are excited for this historic accomplishment, and honored to celebrate it with Vice President Kamala Harris, and student athletes from across the nation. This is a fitting recognition—one they will remember for a lifetime.”

About 91��Ƶ

Since 1906, 91��Ƶ has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, 91��Ƶ offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.