Oakdale, N.Y. - With 2010 and a new decade recently upon us, what better time to look back on the last ten years. Since 2000, many great players have donned the navy blue and gold Golden Lions uniforms. The following is a list compiled by Dowling Athletics of each sport's best player from the past decade to comprise our 2000-2009 All-Decade Team.  

Baseball: Wilberto Ortiz (2004-2006)

Wilberto Ortiz, a shortstop from Brooklyn, NY, was a force for the Golden Lions baseball team in the middle of the decade. In his three years at Dowling, Ortiz led the Golden Lions to two NCAA Northeast Regional appearances and two NYCAC Championships. Ortiz was unstoppable at the plate from the moment he put on a Dowling uniform, earning NYCAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 after hitting .332 with 4 homeruns and 32 RBI. He followed that with a .404 batting average and NCBWA and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team recognition in 2005. In his final season of 2006, Ortiz was named NYCAC Player of the Year after hitting .403, while smashing 8 homeruns and driving in 44 RBI. Despite playing only three seasons, Ortiz ranks 9th on the program list for most hits with 187 and 5th with 117 RBI. After the 2006 season, Ortiz became the first Dowling baseball player drafted since 1993, when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected him in the 33rd Round of the MLB First Year Player Draft. Ortiz is currently still on a quest to make the Major Leagues in the Angels organization, playing the last two seasons with the Angels' AA squad, the Arkansas Travelers.

Men's Basketball: David Seagers (2006-Present)

David Seagers, a guard who is currently a senior on the Men's Basketball team, is one of the most prolific scorers in program history. At the time of this writing, Seagers is second on the program's all-time list with 1,535 points for an average of 16.6 PPG. A well rounded player who in 2008-2009 led the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, he is also the program's all-time leader in steals. A 6'2" guard from the Bronx, NY, Seagers has twice been recognized for his efforts by being named to the ECC All-Conference First Team. Before his senior season, he was named ECC Preseason Player of the Year and a Division II Bulletin Preseason All-American.

Men's Cross Country: Jonathan Cuomo (2008 - Present)

In the four year history of the Men's Cross Country program, Jonathan Cuomo leads the pack as the most outstanding runner. In 2008, Cuomo was an All-ECC First Team pick after leading the team with a 6th place finish at the ECC Championship meet. In his 2009 sophomore season, Cuomo once again earned All-Conference honors, being named to the Second Team after a 12th place finish at the ECC Championship Meet. He also became the first Men's Cross Country runner to ever take first place in a race, by taking home the NJIT Highlander Invitational with a time of 26:22 on the 8K course.

Golf: Luke Walters (2006-Present)

Luke Walters is currently a senior of the Golf team. From Massapequa, NY, Walters has earned three straight team MVP awards. In 2008-2009, Walters shot a 4.78 versus par which is the second lowest total in Dowling's history. He also set a Dowling record by shooting 2 rounds of par or better with a 1 under 70 at the Wilmington University Spring Classic and an Even 71 at the ECAC Division II Championship. Those rounds were the second and third lowest in program history. Luke, who was named to the 2009 Ping All-East Region team, also helped to lead the Golden Lions to their second ever appearance in the NCAA East/Atlantic Regional in 2009. Walters has also been successful off the links, being named a Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar.

Men's Lacrosse: Ryan Campbell (2005 - 2008)

Ryan Campbell, a Brampton, Ontario native who played attack, is the Men's Lacrosse representative on the All-Decade squad. Campbell appeared in 45 games for the Golden Lions over his four years, amassing 129 goals, 89 assists, and 218 points. Those statistics rank him in the top five all-time in program history. He also comes in 5th all-time for ground balls with 133. Campbell also had the second highest single season point total over the past decade with 63 points in 2006, bested by only John McClure's 67 points in 2009. Campbell's aforementioned outstanding 2006 season coincided with Dowling advancing to their first ever appearance in the Division II National Championship game. His play earned him many honors over his career, being named to the ECC All-Conference squads in 2006-2008 and also All-American status by STX/USLA. In 2007, Campbell was a First Team All-American and in 2008 he earned Honorable Mention All-American. Campbell's playing career did not come to a close after wrapping up his time at Dowling, as he was a first round selection (10th overall) of the National Lacrosse League's Edmonton Rush.

Men's Rowing: Boban Rankovic (1998-2002)

Hailing from Yugoslavia, Boban Rankovic is one of the most accomplished rowers to ever attend Dowling College. Rankovic, the 2001-02 Dowling Male Athlete of the Year, helped the Men's Rowing team to numerous top finishes during his four years as a Golden Lion. Among the accomplishments Rankovic helped Dowling Rowing achieve include first place in the four person crew at the 1999 Dad Vail Regatta, first place in the eight person crew at the 2002 Dad Vail Regatta, and a first place finish in the eight person crew at the New York State Championships. Rankovic also competed internationally during his time at Dowling, competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia where he helped Yugoslavia finish in 8th place in the four man crew.

Men's Soccer: Morten Jensen (2003-2006)

When looking at Morten Jensen's soccer career at Dowling College, it can easily be argued that he is among the greatest athletes to ever play for the Golden Lions in any sport. Jensen, a forward from Tananger, Norway, holds every single season and career scoring record (goals, assists, points) at Dowling. His 72 goals are 26 ahead of the next closest on the all-time list. His outstanding play over his four seasons earned him a long list of honors including, NYCAC Player of the Year, ECC Player of the Year, NSCAA All-Region, and was twice named a NSCAA All-American. In a story book 2006 season, Jensen was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player and was named the NSCAA's National Player of the Year. He also excelled in the classroom, being named an ESPN/CoSida Academic All-American twice. Jensen helped bring the Men's Soccer program to new heights, making the NCAA Tournament all four years and the Final Four in three out of four. In 2006 Jensen saved his best for last, as in his final game as a Golden Lion, he came off the bench in the National Championship game despite a nagging injury. With 7 minutes remaining in the first half, he would tally his 24th goal of the season and the only goal of the game to give Dowling the first National Championship in the institution's history.

Men's Tennis: Gustavo Sanchez (2003-2007)

Gustavo Sanchez, a native Venezuelan, is the Men's Tennis Player of the Decade. Sanchez was a mainstay on the court for the Golden Lions the moment he arrived on campus, helping the team to a NYCAC Championship in his 2004 freshman season. The three time Men's Tennis MVP, Sanchez participated in the NCAA Tournament all four seasons. One of his most outstanding accomplishments was taking home the title of the 2005 ITA Division II East Regional Championship and competing in the ITA Small College Championships n Fort Myers, FL. Sanchez, who would earn a No. 26 national ranking, earned many honors including NYCAC First Team All-Conference and was the 2006 NYCAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Women's Basketball: Zulmary Andino (2001-2004)

Zulmary Andino, a guard from Puerto Rico and also a recent inductee to Dowling College's Athletic Hall of Fame, is the Women's Basketball Player of the Decade. In her three years in a Golden Lions uniform, she would go on to receive First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Metropolitan honors each season. In 2003, she would go on to receive All-Metropolitan Player of the Year, Fourth Team All-American, MVP of the NYCAC Tournament, First Team Daktronics All-Region, and NYCAC Player of the Year honors. She currently holds the Dowling record for most career field goals made with 512, most career points with 1,460, and ranks second in career free throws made with 339, career steals with 401 and ranks in the top ten of all career records at Dowling. She also holds the record for single game highs in field goals made with 14 and steals with 9. During and after her career at Dowling, Andino also represented her country as a member of the Puerto Rican National Team.

Women's Cross Country: Mary Ridenour (2003-2005)

From 2003 to 2005, Mary Ridenour was not only the best runner at Dowling, but one of the best in the Northeast Region. In her three year career, Ridenour was the top finisher for the Golden Lions in every race in which she competed. In 2003, she became the first runner in program history to be named All-Conference, making the First Team with a 3rd place finish at the NYCAC Championships. She continued that trend in 2004 as she became the first Golden Lions to ever be named to the NCAA All-Northeast Region Team, finishing 13th out of 121 runners. Ridenour also took home the 2004 NJIT Classic, coming in first out of 33 runners. She wrapped up her stellar career in 2005 by being named the Women's Cross Country MVP to go along with another All-Conference finish at the NYCAC Championship Meet.

Women's Lacrosse: Cassandra Cronin (2008-Present)

In the short history of the Women's Lacrosse program, Cassandra Cronin has established herself as a feared offensive player. Cronin has earned the Women's Lacrosse MVP award in the first two years of the team's existence after scoring 89 goals to go along with 17 assists over two seasons. Some of her more noteworthy performances have come against some of the best competition Dowling has faced. She scored 4 goals against both No. 1 Adelphi and No. 7 Stonehill, and also poured in 6 goals against conference rival Molloy. A standout on the Dowling Women's Soccer team as well, her outstanding 2009 season was noticed on the national level as she took home Division II National Player of the Week honors from womenslacrosse.com and also Nike/Inside Lacrosse during the week of March 24th.

Women's Rowing: Iva Lukic (2002-2006)

Iva Lukic, the first ever Dowling College Women's Rowing All-American, takes home the Women's Rowing Player of the Decade. In 2006, Lukic was named a Division II Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association First Team All-American after leading the Golden Lions to their first ever National Championship Regatta. Earning a spot in the Varsity 8 stroke seat, she also helped the team to first place finishes at the Murphy Cup, Knecht Cup, Frostbite Regatta, Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta, and the Dowling Tri-Meet.

Women's Soccer: Vanessa Moreira (2006-2009)

This past fall season, Vanessa Moreira wrapped up the most successful career in the Women's Soccer program's history. Moreira scored double digit goal in each of her four seasons as a Golden Lions to hold down the top four single season goal scoring seasons in program history. A three time All-Region selection and four time All-Conference selection, Moreira had one of her best seasons in her final go around in a Dowling uniform, earning ECC Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. In 19 games, Moreira scored 15 goals to go along with 12 assists for a total of 42 points. Of her 15 goals, 7 were game winners, including 4 in overtime. She would also tally the game winner in both 1-0 victories over rival C.W. Post, a team Dowling had never defeated coming into the 2009 season. Moreira finished her career as the program's all-time leader in games played (77), goals (69), assists (29), and points (167).

Softball: Taras Wallace (2005-2008)

Taras Wallace will go down as one of the most feared hitters in Dowling College Softball history after a career that saw her break the program's hits record. Wallace finished her career with a .430 batting average (254-for-591) over 218 games. A model of consistency, the four year All-Conference First Teamer's lowest batting average as a Golden Lion was .397 during her freshman season. Wallace earned numerous distinctions during her four season including being named ECC Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 to go along with All-American and All-Region honors. In her senior season, Wallace led the nation in walks with 54, including 8 intentionally, as well as hitting a robust .457. Those outstanding numbers led to her becoming the first player in program history to be named a Daktronics First Team All-American.

Women's Tennis: Anna Burakova (2000-2001)

Anna Burakova, who spent two seasons as a Golden Lion after coming to the United States from Belarus, is the Women's Tennis Player of the Decade. Burakova was named NYCAC Player of the Year in both of her seasons at Dowling, while leading the Golden Lions to two NYCAC Championships. In 2000, she captured the NYCAC 2nd singles individual championship to go along with the 1st doubles championship. This helped her to a No. 8 national ranking as a singles player and a No. 7 national ranking in doubles play. In 2001, Burakova defended both her singles and doubles NYCAC titles, won the No. 1 singles New York State Collegiate Championship at Binghamton University, and made the finals of the ITA East Region "A" Singles. In her career, she posted a 37-2 record in singles play, and a 32-1 record in doubles play. Burakova was also a standout student, being named a Verizon Academic All-American First Teamer.

Volleyball: Justyna Michon (2004-2007)

Justyna Michon, an outside hitter from Katowice, Poland, was an integral figure during Dowling Volleyball's rise to national prominence in the middle of the decade. Michon got off to a quick start, helping the Golden Lions to the NCAA Northeast Regional final while being named NYCAC Rookie of the Year and AVCA Northeast Region Freshman of the Year in 2004. In 2005, an All-Conference First Team season by Michon led Dowling to their first ever regional championship and appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The Golden Lions would eventually make three straight trips to the Elite Eight, due in large part to the stellar play of Michon who was named ECC Player of the Year n 2006 and 2007. She would also garner recognition nationally, being named an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention in 2005 and 2006, and earned AVCA All-American Third Team honors in 2007. The program's all-time leader in kills with 2,175 (the next closest comes in with 1,686), Michon also ranks in the top five on the program's all-time record book for hitting percentage, service aces, block solo, block assists, and total blocks.

-Provided by Dowling Sports Information department.