May 30, 2007

2006-07 NEC Commissioner's Cup Standings

In the closest race in Northeast Conference history, Sacred Heart University narrowly edged out Long Island for the 2006-07 Women's Cup, winning 115.78 to 115.27. The second place overall finish for Sacred Heart matched it's highest-ever overall placing (2003-04). The Pioneers also finished the year with a school-record 192.93 combined points.

The Monmouth Hawks took the overall title for the fourth year in a row and sixth time in the award's history. Monmouth also finished as the men's Cup champion for the sixth consecutive year,

"The performance of our women's programs throughout the 2006-07 NEC competitive year was emblematic of the consistency, hard work and dedication of a wonderful team of coaches and student-athletes," said Don Cook, Sacred Heart Director of Athletics. "Having won the NEC Women's Commissioner's Cup twice in the past four years validates the maturity and quality of the overall program. We couldn't be more proud, particularly in light of how competitive all the NEC women's programs have become."

Leading the charge for the SHU women was the Pioneer women's basketball and field hockey teams. The women's hoop team finished tied for the NEC regular season title and advance to the title game for the second-straight year. The Pioneer field hockey squad finished the regular season in second place and also advanced to the championship game for the second-straight year.

The Sacred Heart women's golf team chipped in with their best-ever finish at the NEC Championships coming home fourth at the spring event. The women's lacrosse and soccer teams also clinched playoff berths during the regular season with the women's tennis and cross country teams turning in strong showings at their individual championships both finishing third. Both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons had the Pioneers finish fifth and fourth respectively.

"The Commissioner's Cup represents all-around excellence in an athletic program," noted Brenda Weare, NEC Commissioner. "To come out on top in any given year is a testament to an institution's hard work and dedication of its student-athletes, coaches and administration. My congratulations go out to both Monmouth and Sacred Heart for their success this past year."

The NEC Commissioner's Cup was instituted during the 1986-87 season with Long Island winning the inaugural award. Fairleigh Dickinson and Monmouth lead all NEC schools with six Cups to their credit. Cup points are awarded in each NEC sponsored sport. For men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, football, softball, field hockey, women's lacrosse and baseball, the final regular season standings are used to determine Cup points. In all other sports, points are awarded based on the finish at NEC Championship events.