http://cuse.com/news/2014/12/4/FH_1204144839.aspx#.VIB3zbAtC1s
HISTORIC: Syracuse Sits Atop 2014 Fall NACDA Directors' Cup Standings
12/4/2014 9:46:00 AM
For the first time in program history, Syracuse University is ranked first in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)
Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Fall standings. Three Orange teams scored points, including field hockey, which advanced to the NCAA Championship game for the first time in school history, and the men's and women's cross country squads, which placed fifth and 24th, respectively.
"We are thrilled to be leading the NACDA Learfield Director's Cup for the first time in school history," said Director of Athletics
Dr. Daryl Gross. "The elite company we are keeping, at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics, is the product of being part of a great institution, having tremendous head coaches and staff, amazing student-athletes and generous supporters – without all of these groups working together this kind of achievement simply isn't possible.
"Moving forward, we are excited about the prospects for many of our teams just beginning their seasons. It's exciting to challenge ourselves to continue build on the great results we've had, and finish in record fashion."
Field hockey coach
Ange Bradley led the Orange to the NCAA Championship game in its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. It was the program's third Final Four, and second in three years. Junior forward
Emma Russell led the Orange in scoring with 20 goals, which led the ACC and ranked sixth nationally.
Head coach
Chris Fox guided the men's team to the NCAA Championship for the sixth consecutive season in his 10-year tenure. The fifth place finish is the best for an Orange men's team since 1957, and is their second consecutive top 10 finish. Led by
MJ Erb and
Martin Hehir finishing in the top-40, the Orange put four runners in the top-40. The men's squad won its second Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, marking the fifth time in six years Fox's team has won a conference title, and also won the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship, marking the fifth time in six years the team has won that race.
The women's squad finished in the top 25 at the NCAA Championship for the second year in a row, paced by junior
Margo Malone's 63rd-place finish. She led the Orange in every race in 2014. The squad finished fourth at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship for the sixth time under Fox's direction.
