Induction Speech Video
The 1982 Women’s Lacrosse Team is just the second team ever enshrined in the Millersville University Athletic Hall of Fame, and it holds the distinction of the only Millersville women’s team to win a national championship.
The 1982 club, coached by Barb Waltman, posted a 10-4-1 record and captured the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Division III Championship by winning postseason games over Denison, Franklin & Marshall and Lynchburg.
The Marauders were a veteran squad with eight seniors, and they opened the season with five wins in six games. The team concluded the regular season with a 7-2 record against Division III opponents, giving it an at-large bid to the postseason tournament. While the Marauders closed the season with three wins in seven games, the confidence began to build with an impressive win over Western Maryland and two close games against Division II Lock Haven.
Playing the AIAW Tournament at nearby West Chester, Pa., the fifth-seeded Marauders caught fire and handily defeated Denison 11-6 in the opening round. Millersville then faced local rival Franklin & Marshall, which entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed. The underdog Marauders upset Franklin & Marshall by a 9-8 score to advance to the title game.
Millersville’s storybook run culminated with a dominating performance against a 15-win Lynchburg team in the championship game. The Marauders received three goals from Becky Grady, two from Joan Aker, Darlene Newman and Terry Geno and one from Lorraine Galante. Goalkeeper Kelly Roberts turned away 17 shots in a 10-3 triumph. All eight seniors missed graduation ceremonies by participating in the championship game.
That season, Acker set a single-season record for goals in a game with 10 in a rout of Lebanon Valley. Galante, Grady and Cindy Manuel were each named All-PSAC East. Grady, Terry Geno, Michele Savino and Gail Glowitz were each named to the AIAW All-Championship Team.
Members of the team included: Joan Aker ’82, Jill Clayton ’85, Carolyn Czarnecki ’84, Lorraine Galante ’82, Paula Geno ’85, Terry Geno ’82, Gale Glowitz ’84, Rebecca Grady ’84, Patti Gremminger ’85, Cathy Loring ’82, Linda MacLennan '82, Cynthia Manuel ’82, Darlene Newman ’84, Sandy Okino ’84, Dian Randall ’83, Kelly Roberts ’84, Kerry Sacco ’82, Michelle Savino ’82, Alana Wolownik ’86 and assistant coach Joni Garber.
