Head coach Pat McCabe didn’t recruit Brine/US Lacrosse Magazine’s Division II Women's Preseason Player of the Year Michele Scannell to Adelphi University, but he sure is glad that she was there when he arrived.
McCabe took over as the new head coach in September, 2014, just after Scannell had joined the Panther program as part of the incoming freshman class. In three seasons, the midfielder has been part of a group that has captured two national championships and one national runner-up finish.
“It’s been a pleasure to watch her grow and evolve as a player and a person,” McCabe said.
That evolution at a marquee program like Adelphi may be a bit different than other places. With a roster loaded with talented players, even the most heralded newcomers have to understand that their role may not be what they initially envisioned.
Scannell’s high school pedigree was top-notch – All-Suffolk County, Team MVP, and Female Athlete of the Year at Smithtown (N.Y.) East High School – but she still went through a process of adapting to the collegiate game.
“It was a big adjustment moving into college play,” Scannell said. “The ball moves a lot faster and all the players are in better shape. You’ve got to put in a lot of work.”
“Early in her career, Michele was willing to be a complementary player,” McCabe said, “but that doesn’t mean she didn’t contribute right away.”
In fact, when McCabe cites all the “little things” that have been asked of Scannell since she first joined the Panthers program, it’s hard to understand how she could have ever been called a role player.
“We use Michele all over the field,” McCabe said, “on the draw, in clearing, defense, scoring, moving the ball to open players. She does everything for us and will continue to do those things.”
To her credit, Scannell had to invest time to develop new skills after arriving at Adelphi. Having played primarily on attack in high school, she had limited experience in the draw circle or on defense.
“Taking the draw is always a little nerve-racking,” she said, “but I have great people around me. Even if I can’t win the ball to myself, they do a great job in supporting me.”
Last year, Scannell finished sixth on the team in goals (36) and points (45), while adding 57 draw controls and 19 ground balls. The previous year, she tallied 35 goals and 62 draw controls. Those numbers may not be as gaudy as those of other All-America players, but McCabe is quick to note that it’s due in part to how the coaches manage Scannell’s playing time.
“When you ask so much of one player, there’s a risk of having them get run down,” he said. “We sat her down at times to protect her health and manage her ability to finish the season. People didn’t really see the Michele that she could have been because we seized opportunities to rest her.”
And although she wants to be on the field all the time, Scannell has come to understand the logic behind the staff’s decision.
“I know they are doing it because they care about me and they are looking out for me,” she said.
McCabe adds that Scannell is quick to accept the “team first” philosophy at the expense of her own individual statistics. And her ability has not gone unnoticed with her selection as a second team All-American in each of the past two seasons. She was also the only Division II player selected in November’s United Women’s Lacrosse League (UWLX) draft, chosen 43rd overall by the Boston Storm.
“Holding her out is not an easy decision, but it’s a statement of respect for her value to our team,” McCabe said. “She’s too important to our team to risk injury.”
Scannell’s relentless attitude is one of the reasons the coaches try to protect her…from herself.
“She is an incredibly fierce competitor,” McCabe said. “That’s what separates her from other people. When she sets her mind on it, she’s going to get what she wants. Her work ethic is terrific.”
As a three-sport athlete in high school, Scannell has drawn on her field hockey and basketball experience to help shape her lacrosse game.
“I think the biggest benefit has been on defense,” said Scannell, who normally mans the wing on Adelphi’s active zone. “I loved playing defense in basketball and some of those same skills carry over into lacrosse. Playing defense is one of my favorite parts of being a midfielder.”
The chance to conclude her career with a third national championship, a rare feat for any collegiate player, has the senior excited for the 2018 season. In addition to all her other roles, she is also serving as one of the team captains this year for Adelphi, ranked No. 1 in the preseason.
“I just try to help everybody have the right mindset,” said Scannell, a speech pathology major who expects to be in graduate school next year. “I think we have a target on our backs, but we love playing against great competition. It’s so much fun.”