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

Pace wins national championship; marks first time in school history

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. June 12, 2023 – Pace University’s women’s lacrosse team joined college athletes from across the country at the White House on Monday 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 last month 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.

“These outstanding student athletes embody the Pace go-getter spirit,” said Pace 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 Pace 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 Pace its first national championship.

“These outstanding student athletes embody the Pace 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 Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, Pace 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.

Diego Plaza

Class of 2025

Currently Studying: BBA in Finance with a minor in Communication Studies

Current Internship: Data Analysis, MJLF & Associates

Pronouns: He/Him

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As he enters his junior year pursuing a BBA in Finance at the Lubin School of Business, Diego Plaza is committed to stepping out of his comfort zone to explore new interests and industries. His journey led him to an internship at the international shipping company MJLF & Associates, where Diego gets to use his skills and knowledge from Lubin to contribute meaningful work to the industry.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

My professors and the Lubin School of Business staff have given me many resources to see what life is like in the business world. From work in class to extra resources outside the classroom, what they have taught me has prepared me for these moments.

What attracted you to this internship?

The oil and gas industry is lucrative. I don't think many people know the industry, but it's so large and there are so many opportunities. When this opportunity presented itself to me, I couldn't say no. Having the opportunity to take on a challenge so foreign to me was exciting. Being able to analyze tons of vessels worldwide and constantly update data was something that sounded fun and now, one month into this internship, I really enjoy what I do.

Having the opportunity to take on a challenge so foreign to me was exciting. Being able to analyze tons of vessels worldwide and constantly update data was something that sounded fun and now, one month into this internship, I really enjoy what I do.

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern at MJLF & Associates.

Excel and Outlook take up a big part of my day. I spend most of my day on Excel, updating rates as our team gets new information. Data is ever-changing so always being on top of everything is a huge priority.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

The highlight of this internship so far has been finishing my Excel sheets. It's pretty relieving to see my work pay off. It's cool to see the accurate rates that I update used by my colleagues—it allows them to close deals and keep clients updated on the ever-changing rates. Being part of the process is fun.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

This internship has shown me a new interest that I would like to pursue. The oil and gas industry is an industry with many opportunities that not many people I know have been presented with. Having the opportunity to take on such a challenge has almost made me addicted to learning as much about the industry as possible.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

This experience makes me want to go further in my education. Seeing the people I work with and all of their accomplishments shows me anything is possible if you give your all towards anything in life. My colleagues are decorated in the field and seeing all they've done inspires me to work harder and achieve more.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Find places that take you out of your comfort zone and take on that challenge. In my own experiences in uncomfortable situations where I'm not 100% confident in myself, pushing myself to learn as much as possible has made a world of difference.

Connect with Diego:

• Connect with Diego Plaza on LinkedIn
• Follow Diego Plaza on Instagram

Team Wins Division II National Championship

Marks first time in school history

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have invited Pace University’s women’s lacrosse team to the White House on Monday, June 12, to celebrate the team's 2023 NCAA national championship.

The Setters will be among many from the NCAA men's and women's national championship teams from across the country being recognized on the South Lawn of the White House as part of "College Athlete Day."

“We were incredibly honored to receive the invitation to the White House to commemorate our NCAA Championship team,” said Head Coach Tricia Molfetta, who is in her sixth year with the team. “This has been a year of so many firsts for our program and this feels like the most fitting ending to our once-in-a-lifetime season. When I first told the team they were invited, they were beyond excited and filled with emotion. This opportunity means so much to us and our Pace family.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the national champions of our women’s lacrosse team,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov. “These outstanding student athletes embody the Pace go-getter spirit. We are excited for this historic accomplishment, and honored to celebrate it with President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and student athletes from across the nation. This is a fitting recognition – one they will no doubt remember for a lifetime.”

Pace University women's lacrosse team last month 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, including a Golden Rams team that came into the National Championship game a perfect 22-0 on the year.

About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, Pace 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.