John Ortolani '09 is one of the toughest competitors to ever wear an Endicott men's lacrosse uniform. 

Ortolani was relentless at the faceoff X in his three years with the program (2006-08) as he compiled 529 faceoff wins and 368 ground balls in 58 games.

He still ranks first all-time in faceoff winning percentage (.690, min. 500 attempts), fourth in ground balls, and fifth in ground balls per game (.634) at the time of his induction.

As a senior, Ortolani finished second among all NCAA Division III faceoff specialists with a .689 winning percentage (261-380).

The two-time CCC Champion and All-Conference/All-Region honoree produced the longest professional sports career of any student-athlete at the College.

Ortolani's eight-year career in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) spanned four teams (Boston, Rochester, Florida, New York) and featured an All-Star Game appearance in 2014.

He is the first Gull to ever play in a professional all-star game and is believed to be the only student-athlete in College history to compete professionally in two different sports.

Ortolani accomplished the feat when he entered the pro ranks of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in 2009.

"John was one of those people you never wanted to play against in any sport. His toughness and never-give-up mentality were the catalyst for him being one of the best face-off specialists in all of Division III lacrosse. His dominance at this position not only gave Endicott an advantage in every game, but John set the standard for future face-off specialists to wear the Endicott Blue and Green for years to come," said Wylie. "He was the epitome of a team player and leader, that helped shape a culture that centered on extending a person's ability and determination further than one expected they could. John was a rare student-athlete."

TAYLOR TEIXEIRA '13 M'15, FIELD HOCKEY

From 2009-12, Taylor Teixeira '13 M'15 anchored one of the best field hockey defenses in Division III.

The standout goalie claimed two CCC Defensive Player of the Year honors (2011-12), a pair of All-Region awards, and three All-CCC selections (two first team, one second team). She helped guide the Gulls to their first-ever CCC Championship in 2011 and another in 2012.

At the time of graduation, Teixeira was the all-time record holder in goalie minutes (5,558) and games played (80), and ranked second in wins (48) and saves (487). Teixeira still ranks first in goalie minutes and second all-time in wins and saves for the Gulls.

Her other career accomplishments include being named the 2011-12 Endicott Co-Female Athlete of the Year and the Senior Scholar-Athlete Award winner in 2013. She also was a two-time CCC Academic All-Conference selection and represented Endicott in the 2012 NFHCA D3 Senior Game.

Teixeira also made major contributions to the athletics department following her undergraduate career as a graduate student (sports information) and assistant coach (goalies).

On the sidelines from 2013-17, Teixeira instructed and kickstarted the playing careers of two CCC Rookie of the Year/All-CCC First Team honorees. 

"It's not often at any college level that a first-year student-athlete arrives and changes the trajectory of an athletic program. Taylor did exactly this to the Endicott field hockey program. Her immediate impact and presence propelled field hockey to its first CCC Championship as a junior captain and then again as a senior in 2012, and would begin an unprecedented run that would include several conference championships after her departure," said Wylie. "She was not only the backbone of the Endicott defense, but ranked among the best goalies nationally in several defensive categories. Few could match her pride in wearing the Endicott Blue and Green, and the tenacity in which she competed both in games and practices, was infectious throughout the program.

STEPHANIE WIESE '10, WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

Stephanie Wiese '10 is the standard bearer for outside hitters in the women's volleyball program.

Despite last suiting up in 2009, Wiese still ranks first among all student-athletes in kills (1,447), attack attempts (4,519), and points (1,765.0).

She is the only Gull in program history to record more than 1,400 kills and 1,700 points. Additionally, Wiese is just one of four student-athletes to record at least 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in their career.

Wiese's other accomplishments include winning three straight CCC Championships (2006-08), guiding Endicott to its first-ever NCAA Tournament second round appearance, and four CCC All-Conference selections (two first team, two second team).

During that span, the Gulls went 95-56 overall (.629) and 37-2 in conference play (.949).

Academically, Wiese was named to the Endicott Academic Varsity Club four times and earned a spot on the CCC Academic All-Conference squad twice. 

"The women's volleyball team under Coach Byram's direction has produced some phenomenal student-athletes that have epitomized the student-athlete tenet. Stephanie is no exception. To me, Steph was one of those rocks that strong programs build upon to get even stronger. In every way, she transcended a difference-maker in her sport, and demanded of herself and the entire team to be accountable for hard work and effort," said Wylie. "As the all-time leader in kills, teams did their best to avoid her, but that was just too difficult. She was fearless and relentless in so many ways as a competitor, but was one of the best teammates and team leaders a program could ever have." 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.