Cook, Rubino excel in Stony Brook debuts

Stony Brook junior midfielder Demmianne Cook had huge success in two seasons at Division II Adelphi. But would that transfer to the elevated caliber of competition in Division I women's lacrosse?

The answer came quickly and decisively Saturday. Cook scored six goals in Stony Brook's 13-10 victory over visiting Colgate in the season opener for both teams.

Part of the Adelphi mystique when Joe Spallina coached there was making players believe there isn't much difference between divisions. He carried that philosophy to Stony Brook, where he is in his first season. Cook easily bought into it.

"Division II has its own pace,'' said Cook, who scored 97 goals in D-II. "At Adelphi, we played Division I style and mentality. So the practices and the games aren't that big of a difference.''

Spallina said of Cook: "She's in a place athletically where she's brought her game to a completely different level. Demmianne is a superior athlete. Her stick skills are catching up to her athleticism. She's a dominant Division I lacrosse player.''

Cook scored four goals in the first half, three in succession, to help Stony Brook take a 9-3 lead with 7:35 left. But Colgate closed within three at halftime.

"It's a game of runs. We figured that would happen,'' Spallina said. "That's part of our maturity and growing-up process. They've got to find their way through. You want to make sure your runs are bigger than theirs and that you are able to make more stops, take care of the ball and be smart.''

Adelphi rarely had close games in the Spallina era, so a three-goal victory was a change for Cook.

"It's really different," she said. "You really have to step up everywhere on the field. From draws, from goals, from defense, you just count on all your teammates to get the job done.''

Spallina started six freshmen, led by Michelle Rubino, who had three goals and two assists. The former Comsewogue High School star was headed to Adelphi but joined Spallina at Stony Brook instead. "In my opinion, she is the top freshman in the country,'' Spallina said. "The first time I saw her, we wanted her. When she made the transition to Stony Brook, it was elation. We knew what we were getting as far as an athlete."

Rubino was ecstatic after the game. "It was a lot different from what I expected," she said. "Much faster paced, but it feels awesome.''

Notes & quotes: Adelphi transfer and D-II All-American attack Claire Petersen sat out the first game of a two-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of team rules. She is expected to return Feb. 19 against Central Connecticut.