While everyone had most of January following off from school, Pace University Athletics pushed ahead with their seasons and prepared for the spring. Here is a recap of every team’s activities from the end of the fall semester to today
Women’s Basketball: 12-4; 3-3 during break.
Tower Lorde recorded a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds to lead Pace over the College of Staten Island on December 30 to close 2023 on a three-game win streak. 2024 began on a rougher foot. The Setters fell to equally hot Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire on January 3. On the 6th, Pace lost their second home game of the season to Southern New Hampshire University. A third straight loss in Worcester, Massachusetts was to Assumption University on January 10. Pace got back on track to end the road trip. In Springfield, Massachusetts, defeating American International College on the 13th. Three days later on January 16, Pace topped Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The Setters’ next game was expected to be this past Saturday at home versus Bentley University but has been postponed citing inclement weather. For Wednesday, January 24, The University of New Haven Chargers will be visitors. Barring a change in forecast, this match will go on as scheduled.
Men’s Basketball: 11-6; 4-2 during break.
It was a hot start to January for Pace Men’s Basketball. The four-game losing streak ended on January 3 versus Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire in a 67-66 overtime win courtesy of forward Sean Bresnan hit four three-pointers to lead Pace in scoring. The Setters got another close 81-77 win at home versus Southern New Hampshire University three days later. Their road win versus Assumption University on the 10th was not as close, with a 66-47 final score for Pace’s 10th win of the season. The 11th was a bigger blowout, this time against American International College on January 13, completing a sweep by both ball teams. The final score was 75-55. The four-game win streak ended in Manchester, New Hampshire at Saint Anselm College on the 16th.
Pace fell to Bentley University at home 79-70. A 50-point Falcons second half proved too much for the Setters. They play again on January 24 versus The New Haven Chargers.
Swimming And Diving
Men’s and Women’s swimming and diving teams competed just twice since the end of December. January 13 was senior day at their home pool. The team welcomed Bentley University for a swim meet. Both the women’s and men’s team lost their final home swim. The men’s team lost 133-95 while the women fell 143-78. Their final regular season meet was versus non-conference Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on January 19 was a defeat for both teams. The men finished their regular season 0-7, while a second straight loss dropped the women to 4-4.
Northeast-10 Championships this year are from Thursday, February 15 to Sunday, the 18th. The divers will be looking to cement their spots in the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina while the swimmers will hope to get a top 5 ranking among the conference.
Women’s Lacrosse
Last Thursday, The 2023 National Champions were received by Westchester County delegates at The New York State Capitol. The team was honored for being the first team on any level from Westchester County to win it all. The celebration continued on January 19 with a formal dinner and players receiving their rings for the historic feat.
On January 3, head coach Tricia Molfetta announced the 2024 schedule. The defending champs play 17 times this spring, 11 on their home field and six on the road. The season begins with 7 straight at Northwell Stadium. Pace’s title defense begins Tuesday, February 20 versus nonconference Roberts Wesleyan University, the first of 6 such games. The NE-10 Campaign opens on February 28 when American International College visits. A rematch of the 2023 National Semifinal game is for March 7 when Florida Southern College comes to Pleasantville. During the March 23 game versus East Stroudsburg, Pace Athletics will recognize 10 years since the establishment and first season of Pace Women’s Lacrosse. Senior Day is on April 20 versus The College of Saint Rose.
Men’s Lacrosse:
Head Coach Tom Mariano unveiled the 2024 Schedule for Pace Men’s Lacrosse. He led the Setters to two straight winning seasons, both finishing at 11-4 and early exits from the NE-10 Championship.
13 games comprise the season. 6 are on the road to 7 at home, with 4 being nonconference opponents to start the season. The journey starts on February 28 in Rockville Centre, New York where Molloy College plays host. Their first home game is March 2 with Wilmington University visiting. NE-10 play begins on March 16 when The College of Saint Rose goes on the road. Senior/Alumni Day happens on April 6 vs Southern New Hampshire. The “15 For Life” Game is vs Assumption University on April 9.
Baseball
The preseason for Pace Baseball began with a positive. The NE-10 Baseball Coaches Poll names them favorites to win the conference’s Southwest division and repeat as NE-10 Champions.
The schedule for Pace baseball was released in mid-December. The 46-game season has 21 home and road games apiece, four at a neutral ballpark, and 19 non-conference games. Pace’s season begins in Cary, North Carolina vs Slippery Rock University in a doubleheader on March 1. One game apiece on March 2 and 3 is versus Wilmington University and Dominican University of New York. Their home opener at Peter X. Finnerty Field is on Wednesday, March 6 vs Caldwell University. NE-10 competition also begins at home versus Adelphi University on March 15. Senior Day is scheduled for April 27, when the Setters play a double header with The College of Saint Rose. The final home(and non-conference) game of the year is April 30 versus Felician University.
On December 20, 2023, Coach Hank Manning announced the 2024 Hot Stove Dinner, happening Sunday, February 4 at Tesoro D’Italia in Pleasantville, NY. The Keynote Speaker is 4-time All-Star and 2-time World Series Champion Dwight “Doc” Gooden. Tickets are $125 and available for purchase at paceuathletics.com
Softball
Head Coach Claudia Stabile announced the 2024 schedule on January 8. The Setters will look for their third straight bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Pace’s season lasts 50 games. 22 are at home, 28 on the road. 28 games are versus nonconference opponents, 18 to begin the season, all on the road. The Setters open the season on March 9 in Petersburg, Virginia for a doubleheader versus Virginia State University. The next day, Pace heads upstate to Richond for a doubleheader with Virginia Union University. On March 16, Pace heads to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania for a doubleheader with Shippensburg University. On the 17th, they’re off to West Chester, Pennsylvania for a doubleheader versus West Chester University of Pennsylvania. The same week on Tuesday, March 19 Georgian Court University hosts The Setters in Lakewood, New Jersey.
The home opener is on Thursday, March 21 versus Dominican University of New York. The NE-10 campaign begins March 29 when Saint Michael’s College comes to town. Senior Day is April 13 versus Assumption University.