Adelphi University Men's Lacrosse

Catalanotti is beginning his 15th season on the sidelines for the Adelphi University men's lacrosse program after joining the staff in 2010. He was elevated to Associate Head Coach in 2014, entering his 12th season in that role. His responsibilities include recruiting and working with the Panther defense. 'Cat' - as he is referred to by many - was a recent recipient of his second IMLCA Outstanding DII Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2024 season. Catalanotti comes to Adelphi from Molloy College, where he built the Lion's program from the ground up, starting the program 14 years ago as a club team. He guided Molloy to a national raking of fourth, twice in his time on the sidelines in Rockville Centre, New York and produced 27 All-Americans. In 13 years as a varsity head coach, Catalanotti posted a record of 92-59 overall and earned East Coast Conference Coach of The Year honors in 2005. In addition he guided Molloy to 11 season ending national rankings in 13 springs. A 1984 graduate of St. John's, where he was a four-time letter winner in lacrosse, Catalanotti lives in Massapequa with his wife, Jerri-Beth and his two children, Joseph and Julie.

Former Panther netminder Billy Smithwick returns for his second year on the coaching staff in 2025. He played all four seasons (2020-23) in net while garnering high academic honors, including NE10 Academic Honor Roll - Academic Distinction (Fall '19, Spring '20, Fall '20, Spring '22, Fall '22, Spring '23), NE10 Academic Honor Roll - Academic Honors (Spring '21, Fall '21), and D2ADA Academic Achievement Award (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23). The Massapequa native attended Massapequa High School where he played both football and lacrosse, once again achieving scholastic excellence recognition.

Following his time leading the Panthers to the 2024 National Championship, Brian Harinski makes the move to the coaching staff in 2025. A nursing major, Harinskis’ legacy was felt both on and off the field, and now passes his knowledge onto the next generation. He was named the MVP of the title game, helping the 'Cats secure a come-from-behind victory with the help of his four second-half goals.  The Massapequa resident, and former high school state championship team member, added the same zest for the Panthers from 2021-2024. With numerous academic awards including multiple NE10 Academic Honor Roll spots, he also received a USILA North Region Honorable Mention (2024).  

Canner is in his second year with the Adelphi University men's lacrosse program. His responsibilities include operations, game tape exchange, breaking down film, scouting and travel. Canner was instrumental in helping the Panthers to Northeast-10 Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2014. He also was a part of Adelphi's NCAA success, as the Brown and Gold appeared in the NCAA DIvision II Final Four. In addition to his experience on the sidelines in Garden City, Canner has participated in the Checkmate Lacrosse Camp as a Camp Trainer and Assistant Program Director. He was also the co-founder of the Herricks Lacrosse Camp and was gained valuable experience as the Head Coach of both the Herricks Middle School and Junior Varsity programs, and as an assistant with the Varsity lacrosse team. Canner received his bachelors in communications from Adelphi in 2009 and is currently working towards his masters in physical education.   

Adelphi alumnus, Brian Volpi ('06), enters his 14th season as an assistant coach on the Panther’s men’s lacrosse staff in 2025. His responsibilities on the field include assisting the defense and coaching the goaltenders. Administratively, he is in charge of film breakdown and recruiting potential student-athletes for his alma mater.  Brian was bestowed the honor of 2023 IMLCA Outstanding DII Assistant Coach of the Year. The two-year Panther letterman returned to Adelphi in 2010 and helped lead the program to a NCAA Finals appearance in that same season. During his tenure, he has mentored numerous high school and collegiate goalies. Volpi coached Eric Janssen ('12) to a two-time All-American selection, 2011 Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Year and the DII NCAA save percentage leader. Under Volpi’s tutelage, Brendan McDougal ('18) was named a three-time All-American while earning the 2017 & 2019 USILA Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Award for Outstanding Goalie. McDougal was also awarded 2017 & 2019 NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year. Most recently, Dylan Renner put up a historic season in 2024, being named not only the USILA Goalkeeper of the Year, but picking up Player of the Year honors as well.  The Lawrence, New York native was a goalie for the Panthers in the 2004 and 2006 seasons. During that time, he played in a total of 24 games - starting 23- and compiled a total of 209 saves and a goal against average of 8.41.   Volpi came to Adelphi after two years at Nassau Community College in Garden City, where he helped lead the Lions to the 2002 division championship and won the NJCAA national championship. A three-sport athlete at Lawrence (NY) High School, Volpi lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse. He was an All-Conference selection in football his senior year as well as the defensive MVP of the Senior Game. On the mats, Volpi received a two-time All-Nassau County selection nod. Volpi was a two-time All-Nassau County lacrosse goalie and the defensive MVP of the Senior Game. Volpi has a bachelor's degree in social science from Adelphi. Volpi and his wife, Jessica currently reside in Farmingdale, NY with their daughter Lyla and loyal dog, Desmond “Dez” Volpi.

Greg Puskuldjian is a Glen Head, N.Y. native where he attended North Shore High School.  He went on to leave an impressive mark for the Panthers during his time in Brown and Gold from 2011-2014.  His accolades for the Panthers are plentiful and include multiple NE10 Player of the Week honors, NE10 First Team All-Conference, USILA First Team All-American, Division II Specialist of the Year (2014), and Second-Team All-American honors.  In both 2012 and 2013 he was the NCAA Division II Statistical Champion in Faceoff winning percentage. Following graduation, Puskuldjian played five years of professional lacrosse. During his time with the Ohio Machine (MLL), he was named a 2016 All-Star before claiming the league championship a year later. In the 2020 PLL Championship Series he helped the Redwoods franchise to a semifinal berth. In addition to his work with Adelphi he also put together a coaching stint at nearby Nassau Community College. In his six years with the Lions, the program won NJCAA National titles in 2021 and 2022.

Draper returns to Adelphi for his second tenure and eighth season overall on the sidelines for the men’s lacrosse team as an assistant coach in 2025.  His responsibilities on the field include assisting the defense and running the substitution box on gameday. Administratively, he breaks down film, writes the scouting reports and recruits potential student-athletes to don the Brown and Gold.  Draper departed the Garden City powerhouse in 2021, after being appointed the head coach for his alma mater, Massapequa High School. At Massapequa, Draper led the Chiefs to two Nassau County semifinals and one finals appearance. He was named Conference Coach of the Year and won a conference championship in 2022. Draper coached two HM All-Americans, a Nassau County LSM of the Year, and 14 All-County student-athletes in his time with the Chiefs as part of Nassau County’s preeminent Power League Conference representing Class A.  From 2015-2021, Draper assisted the Panthers to a 77-24 overall record. Under Draper’s tutelage, Brendan McDougal was named a three-time All-American earning the 2017 & 2019 USILA Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. Award for Outstanding Goalie. McDougal was also awarded 2017 & 2019 Northeast-10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.  He came to Adelphi from Massapequa High School, where he helped the Chiefs win a NYS Class A Championship in 2014. As an assistant coach, the Chiefs posted a record of 90-28 overall, won four consecutive Nassau County Conference A Championships, were two-time Nassau County Champions and three-time Nassau County Finalists. Over the course of his coaching career, Draper has mentored numerous collegiate All-Americans, high school All-Americans and All-County student-athletes.  Draper brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to Adelphi after competing for four years at SUNY Cortland. As a senior in 2003, he was awarded the Red Letter for men’s lacrosse. The Red Letter honor is the highest at Cortland and is given to the student-athlete in each sport who distinguishes themselves as the most valuable asset both on and off the field. In 2012, he was named Cortland’s Distinguished Young Alumnus for creating and implementing a cross age peer-mentoring program at Massapequa High School.  He has been teaching health education at Massapequa since 2005. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education from SUNY Cortland in 2003, Draper went on to earn his Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University in 2007, and possesses an Advanced Certificate in School District and Building Leadership from Stony Brook University. He currently resides in Oceanside, NY with his partner, Dr. Tracy Johnson and her daughter, Lily, along with their three cats, Puff, Bella and Peesh as well as their Boxer, Molly. 

On July 18, 2007, Gordon Purdie was named the sixth head men’s lacrosse coach in Adelphi University history, replacing Sandy Kapatos. The 2026 season marks his 19th year as head coach, leading the team for which he once starred. In nearly two decades at the helm of the Panthers, Purdie has led the squad to five Northeast-10 Tournament titles, nine NCAA Tournament berths, three Final Fours, the 2011 NCAA Division II National title game and most recently went back to back as the D2 National Champions in 2024 and 2025. He is a two-time NE10 Coach of the Year and was named the USILA Coach of the Year in 2024 alongside being named the recipient of the FCA Peter Kohn Service Award.  Purdie has coached dozens of All-Conference honorees in both the East Coast Conference and the Northeast-10 and over four dozen United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans in his tenure in Garden City.  He surpassed Hall of Famer Paul "Doc" Doherty for the program's all-time winningest coach on April 15, 2023, who amassed 184 wins at the helm of the program from 1970-91. On March 15, 2016, Purdie earned his 100th career win at Adelphi with an 18-8 win at Assumption College, and he passed the man who preceded him, Kapatos, in career victories with his 111th on March 8, 2017, also over Assumption by a 14-4 final. Purdie, a member of the Australian World Games team before arriving at Adelphi, made his mark as a two-time All-America selection. He played three years for the Panthers, from 1987-89, helping the team to two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He appears in numerous Adelphi DI records, including first in single-season ground balls (109) and second in career ground balls (269). He also appears in the top 10 in single-season and career assists and points. His post-collegiate career included playing seven times for the Australian Lacrosse World team. He also played for the New York Saints (1990-99), New Jersey Storm (2002-03) and the Anaheim Storm (2004), playing in over 100 professional indoor lacrosse games. In 1994 he was named Best Midfielder at the World Games. He twice appeared in the ILF World Championships (2003, 2007) and was inducted into the Adelphi Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. Purdie has coached at the Waldorf School in Garden City, N.Y. since 1994, has coached numerous All-Americans and Academic All-Americans and in 1997, was named the New York Metropolitan Lacrosse Association High School Coach of the Year. Purdie currently resides with his wife Carol and son Gordon in East Rockaway, N.Y. Purdie’s Year-by-Year Coaching Record 5 NE10 Titles; 9 NCAA Appearances   Year -Overall- -Conference- -Notes- W-L Pct. W-L 2008 7-5 .583 3-3 ECC 2009 3-8 .272 1-4 ECC 2010 10-5 .667 7-3 NE10 NE10 Semifinalists 2011 16-3 .842 9-1 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA National Finalists 2012 13-3 .813 8-2 NE10 NE10 Semifinalists 2013 14-3 .824 10-1 NE10 NE10 Finalists; NCAA Final Four 2014 17-2 .895 11-0 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA Final Four 2015 15-3 .833 9-2 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA First Round 2016 12-5 .706 9-2 NE10 NE10 Semifinals 2017 15-4 .789 10-1 NE10 NE10 Finalists; NCAA Final Four 2018 11-4 .733 9-2 NE10 NE10 Semifinals 2019  16-3 .842 10-1 NE10 NE10 Finalists; NCAA Quarterfinalists 2020 1-2 .333 1-0 NE10 Season shortened due to COVID-19 2021 7-3 .700 6-1 NE10 Season minimized due to COVID-19 2022 15-2 .882 10-0 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA Quarterfinalists 2023 16-4 .800 8-2 NE10 NE10 Semifinals; NCAA Quarterfinals 2024     17-2 .895 9-0 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA Division II Champions 2025 19-1 .950 7-1 NE10 NE10 Champions; NCAA Division II Champions 18 Seasons 224-62 .783 140-26 NE10   In Division II record books -  Top-15 for all-time D2 winningest coach (15th) - .771 Top-2 for winningest active D2 coach (2nd) - .771 top-10 for winningest active coach (all divisions) - 6th - .771