Francisco Rosas ’26 Represents Mexico, and the Valiants, in International Lacrosse

For much of the bus ride to the Gogcheonpo Training Center in Seogwipo, South Korea, Francisco Rosas ’26 sat with headphones on, letting music from his native Mexico fill his ears. In just minutes, he would step onto the field representing both the Mexican National Team and 91����.

Already dressed in uniform and ready to play, his phone buzzed constantly with messages from friends and teammates back home in Purchase. 

“I was getting an insane amount of texts from everyone back home—sending prayers, thoughts, props and stuff,” he recalled. 

While he tried to stay focused on his first-round match against the Chinese National Team in the 2025 World Lacrosse Men's U20 Tournament—the premier international junior men’s lacrosse competition held on Jeju Island—Francisco also felt the weight of the moment. He was about to compete on the world stage carrying two identities: representing his heritage with Mexico while proudly wearing the Valiant name. 

Finding a Home at Manhattanville 

Francisco arrived at 91���� in the fall of 2022 from Stratford, Connecticut, determined to pursue a degree in Sport Studies and continue playing lacrosse. 

His decision to enroll followed a campus visit during high school. After meeting the men’s lacrosse coaches and touring Kennedy Gymnasium, he explored the academic side of campus as well—walking through Reid Castle and sitting in on classes. 

The experience left an immediate impression. 

“I liked that it was a tight community,” he said. “You could get more focus from your professors.” 

When his first year began, Francisco found a sense of belonging among his teammates. They lived together, trained together, and often gathered in Benziger Cafeteria after early morning practices. 

“We practice at about six in the morning for two hours,” he said. “Then usually the whole team goes to breakfast together for ‘sweaty caf,’ because we’re still sweating from practice.” 

Over time, Francisco developed into one of the Valiants’ most dependable defensive players. Across his Manhattanville career, he has started in 33 of the 51 games he has appeared in and helped anchor the team’s defense during a period of steady growth for the program. 

But lacrosse had not always been his sport. 

Lacrosse Valiant Francisco Rosas '26 on the field.

Discovering Lacrosse—and a New Opportunity 

Growing up in Mexico, Francisco played soccer and baseball competitively and also explored basketball, tennis, swimming, and taekwondo. It wasn’t until he moved to the United States as a teenager that he was introduced to lacrosse. 

By his sophomore year at Manhattanville, he had begun to make a name for himself on the field. Around that time, teammates told him about Mexico’s national lacrosse program for collegiate players.

The team was preparing to compete in the Heritage Cup, an international tournament that spring. 

Curious about the opportunity, Francisco emailed the organizers and soon found himself wearing a Mexico jersey over his Manhattanville gear and competing in the four-day tournament in Philadelphia. 

The Heritage Cup brought together more than 60 teams across five divisions, with players representing universities and national heritage from around the world. 

“It’s just kind of how everyone got to know one another,” Francisco said. “You’d hear things like, ‘Oh, you go there? That’s so cool. I go to Manhattanville.’” 

During the tournament, he learned about an even larger opportunity: tryouts for the Mexican U20 National Team. 

Determined to earn a spot, Francisco signed up for tryouts in Dallas later that fall. 

“I saw some very flashy helmets. Big schools. Division I schools,” he said. “I was like, it’s going to be a dogfight.” 

The Phone Call 

Weeks passed after the tryout with no word. 

To take his mind off the uncertainty, Francisco invited several teammates to his dorm for a movie night. The room was filled with snacks, laughter, and the low glow of the television when his phone rang. 

The name on the screen read “Coach Padilla.” The room fell silent. The movie paused. Francisco answered the call and placed it on speaker. 

“Everyone was just sitting there,” he said. “And as soon as Coach Padilla started talking, I knew the guys would explode if they heard it, so I put the phone on mute.” 

Moments later, the news was official: he had been selected for the Mexican National Team. 

The room erupted. Teammates piled on top of him, shouting and celebrating as they realized what had just happened. 

Preparing for the World Stage 

In the months that followed, Francisco met regularly with his national teammates over Zoom. The group included players from colleges across the United States, united by their shared Mexican heritage and their love of lacrosse.

“The Zoom meetings weren’t just a lacrosse experience,” he said. “We got to learn a lot about ourselves and each other.” 

That summer, the team gathered in person for the first time at a week-long training camp hosted at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Despite meeting face-to-face for the first time, the players quickly felt like longtime teammates. They practiced twice a day, completed strength sessions, and scrimmaged throughout the week. During the camp, Francisco received another unexpected honor. 

“I was announced team captain,” he said. “That was an incredible moment.” 

As captain, he would not only lead his teammates but also carry the Mexican flag when the team entered the field. 

Game Day in South Korea 

Francisco Rosas ’26 travels with Mexico’s U20 national lacrosse team outside the tournament venue in South Korea during the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship.

When the tournament opened on August 15, 2025, Francisco stepped off the team bus outside the stadium with adrenaline racing through him. Moments later, he led his teammates down the stadium steps and onto the field. 

Half a world away from Kennedy Gymnasium—the home field where he had spent years developing as a player—Francisco now stood representing Mexico in international competition. 

“My heart was beating super-fast even though I looked calm on the outside,” he said. 

As both teams lined up for introductions and their national anthems, Francisco stood tall with the Mexican flag in his hands. When the anthem began, he sang with pride. 

From Mexico to Manhattanville to South Korea, the journey had led to this moment. 

Now it was time to play. 

International teams line the field with national flags during the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship, where Francisco Rosas ’26 represents 91���� and Mexico.

Defying Expectations 

In the days leading up to the opening match, an article from Inside Lacrosse predicted Mexico would struggle against the more experienced Chinese roster, which featured several players from top U.S. collegiate programs. Mexico’s players took notice. 

“A lot of the guys used that post as the background on their phones as motivation,” Francisco said. 

When the game began, China lined up with a faceoff specialist from the University of Vermont who had recorded 93 faceoff wins that season. Francisco and his teammates studied film and scouting reports to prepare. 

“I had a friend look up everything about him—his tendencies,” Francisco said. “Then we worked with our faceoff guy and went over film.” 

As the whistle blew, Francisco stood ready in the defensive backfield. The ball struck the ground. Sticks clamped down. Then it popped free—straight into Mexico’s possession. Seconds later, Mexico surged downfield with the first possession of the tournament. 

“Having a good faceoff gives you a huge advantage,” Francisco said. “Right then we knew they were beatable.” 

They were right. Mexico defeated China 12–4. 

Mexico’s U20 national lacrosse team on the field together during international competition at the World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship.

A Moment Bigger Than the Game 

For Francisco, the victory represented far more than a single game. It was the culmination of years of work—growing up in Mexico, discovering lacrosse in the United States, and developing as a player at Manhattanville. After the celebrations ended, he reflected on the people who helped him reach that moment. 

“I’m a Division III athlete, and I get to play in a tournament on the other side of the world,” he said. “It’s not just me representing myself—it’s the 30 other guys on the team at Manhattanville and everyone watching back home in Mexico.” 

Hours earlier, as he stepped onto the field in South Korea carrying the Mexican flag, those two worlds came together in a single moment—one that began years earlier on a campus in Purchase, New York. 

For Francisco Rosas, the journey from Manhattanville to the world stage had come full circle. 

About 91����

91���� (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. “U.S. News and World Report” ranks Manhattanville among the Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 23 NCAA Division III teams.  

Meet Ashley Smith Wallace, ‘10 and Chad Wallace, ‘11, who found each other as undergraduates at Manhattanville during the late 2000’s.

Ashley graduated in 2010 with a degree in Dance and Theater, and Chad graduated a year later with a degree in Communication Studies. During their time on campus, both were heavily involved in extracurricular clubs and activities, with Ashley being a proud member of Dance Troup and Dance Ensemble. Chad, having transferred to Manhattanville at the start of his sophomore year, was a valued member of the Valiant Baseball team during all three seasons that he attended Manhattanville. They now live in Connecticut with their two beautiful children, a 5-year old and a 17-month old.  

We recently had an opportunity to catch up with the happy couple and what follows is an excerpt of that conversation. 

Can you describe your overall experience at Manhattanville? Are there moments or experiences that stand out most when you think back on your time here? 

Ashley - These were the best 4 years of my life in more ways than I can ever be able to explain. The relationships forged and friends I’ve made, not only shaped my college days, but every year since graduating, my friends have been there for me every step of the way, I would not be the woman I am today without them in my life. 

Chad - Because it’s a smaller campus, I was able to fully immerse myself not just as a student, but as a person. Being part of the baseball program taught me discipline, accountability, and how to be part of something bigger than myself, while the close-knit community exposed me to people from all walks of life and perspectives I may not have encountered otherwise. And on a more personal note, Manhattanville also gave me my greatest gift: I met my wife at Manhattanville! It’s a reminder that the moments that shape your life most aren’t always on the syllabus. 

How did you meet? 

Ashley and Chad - We met for the first time downstairs in Brownson Hall outside the Little Theatre, Ashley was going into the theatre for rehearsal and myself and a few of our friends were coming out of an Intro class at the time.  

What are some of your favorite memories of your relationship while you were both on campus? 

Ashley and Chad - Some of our favorite memories from our relationship during college are rooted in the simple, everyday moments that Manhattanville made possible. Thank God for the smoothie stand that used to be in Flik Cafeteria. If I didn’t love smoothies so much, I might never have walked right by Ashley, taking her breath away. That space, along with our mutual friends, gave us the chance to get to know each other quickly, which was especially meaningful since we didn’t meet until her final semester.  

Also, those early Dunkin’ Donuts runs off campus before class! Those eventually turned into daytime dates, and they became some of our favorite routines. But what truly ignited our relationship was meeting right before I left for Spring Training in Florida with the baseball team (yes, we took the bus). While I was away, during my downtime from baseball, Ashley and I talked about our lives, our goals and values, and by the time I came back, it felt like we had known each other for years.  

Looking back, Manhattanville didn’t just give us memories; it gave us the environment, timing, and people that helped turn a chance meeting into the relationship to which we could build our lives upon. 

How did you two get married? 

Ashley and Chad - We’ve been married for almost nine years now and we’ll celebrate our anniversary on May 27th. I asked her to marry me on August 30th, 2015, outside the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where Ashley was performing West Side Story at Fireside Theatre. Because she is a dancer and performer, I wanted the moment to feel personal and meaningful and something that reflected her love for theatre and the arts. 

Are you still in touch with your friends from Manhattanville? 

Ashley and Chad – Yes, 1000%. Not a day goes by where we don’t talk or think about all our friends and relationships that were built because of Manhattanville.  

How have those relationships evolved over time?  

Ashley and Chad – Our friends play such an important role in our lives now, if not more than ever. They’re the people who have walked along side of us from before our marriage, through parenthood and throughout all the beautiful chaos in between. They show up for our kids and love them like their own. They remind us that none of this is meant to be done alone.  

What advice would you give to current Manhattanville students? 

Ashley and Chad – There will be a day when you will beg to go back and put the baseball uniform or dance clothes back on one more time. So, do not coast, don’t complain, win the day, win the rep, win the moment. Because you are living the years that you will talk about for the rest of your lives.  

About 91����

91���� (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. “U.S. News and World Report” ranks Manhattanville among the Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities, and 23 NCAA Division III teams.  For more information, visit mville.edu   

Emily Betts arrived on campus and stepped out of her gold Honda Civic.

The car, nicknamed “14 Karot Gold”, was full of dorm room essentials and garbage bags stuffed with clothes.  

Myles Fee was already covered with sweat and was about to go back to his dorm when he noticed a cute girl with a big smile standing with her mother outside of Spellman Hall.  

“Hey Billy,” he said turning to his roommate and teammate, “We got one more.” 

On New-Student Move-In Day, 2003, Myles and Emily were strangers. But by the end of the day, they had begun a journey that would take them from a college romance to maraige and a family, to finally celebrating a National Hockey League Championship in Reid Castle. 

Myles was in his second year as a Valiants Men’s Hockey defensive player and only ever wanted to “just get to the next level”.  Weather it was going to college, being a part of a professional hockey team, or just moving away from his hometown of Manitoba, Canada, he knew that he was destined for bigger things.  

Emily had spent most of her life just a half-hour away from Manhattanville in Stamford, CT. Growing up, her mother Christine was a teacher and that influence would inspire her and her siblings to pursue careers in education. As a high school senior in the early 2000’s, Emily recognized that Manhattanville would provide her with the best path forward in achieving her dreams. However, little did she know that simply stepping foot on campus for her freshman year, her life would be drastically changed.  

“Everybody’s nervous going into college,” Emily explained. “But Manhattanville does a good job of welcoming people.” 

It’s a long-standing tradition for the Manhattanville Community to come together to help students move into their dorms for their first year on campus. And Manhattanville’s athletes have always led the charge in this effort. 

“We ended up spending 5 hours just sweating away,” said Myles of volunteering for move-in day as part of the hockey team. “It’s a great way to introduce yourself. Someone helped me move in during my first day so it’s nice to pay if forward.”  

That afternoon, Myles approached Emily, introduced himself, and asked if she needed any help carrying her things to her dorm. Struggling to look up at his six-foot, five-inch frame, she initially turned him down. But her mother, sensing a spark, intervened and said that they’d be happy for the help. 

A few weeks later, Emily’s mother called her for a routine check in. “So, how’s that Canadian,” she asked.  

“She knew,” Emily recounted. “She knew.” 

Shortly after their first encounter on that hot, August day, Myles and Emily would once again be thrust together through serendipity. They shared a class together during Emily’s first semester.  

 “I was in the lecture hall in Brownson,” she said.  “He came in, waved at me and smiled. I got red in the face. Then he sat right behind me.”  

“Who sits in the front row?” Myles quickly quipped. 

It was in that classroom, under florescent lights and with the quad visible through the windows, that their relationship began to take root. And as the semester progressed, they would find more opportunities outside of the classroom to bond. They would dance together during quad jam, hang out with mutual friends, and when Myles wasn’t competing on the ice, they cheered together from the sidelines of many athletic games.  

“Those small, everyday moments ended up being some of the most meaningful for us,” Emily reminisced. 

But like most college students, their paths would take them to unexpected destinations and create challenges for them as a couple. Myles would gain an internship with the New York Rangers and, at the same time, Emily would spend a semester abroad. But despite the time difference, they called each other as often as possible. Myles even took the 6–7-hour flight from New York to Ireland to visit her during Valentine’s Day.  

After Myles graduated, that level of support would become the foundation of their long-term relationship. With Myles no longer living on campus and Emily having another year left as an undergraduate, they were determined to be there for each other. 

“It was a good reminder that growth in a relationship comes from navigating those transitions together, “Emily explained. “Whether that’s showing up at games, celebrating milestones, or just encouraging one another even when it’s not easy — like moving from city to city — that support has been a constant thread in our relationship.” 

Myles and Emily now live in Florida with their two children. Emily teaches English as a second language and Myles is, of course, an assistant coach for the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers. Since his arrival in Florida in 2022, the Panthers have made three-straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in each of the last two years to capture the first championships in the team's 32-year history. 

In a recent interview with govaliants.com, Myles remarked on his success and the role Manhattanville played in making it possible.  

"I wouldn't be where I am today without Manhattanville. It has springboarded me to a level that, where I come from, the small-town background, I didn't know what to expect when I came to New York. But I realized the vast scope of what I could do." 

Earlier this summer, in a moment that can only be described as full-circle, Myles and Emily finally returned to Manhattanville after nearly 2 decades since graduating.  No longer hauling garbage bags full of clothes in the trunk of a gold Honda Civic, the two now had their young children in the backseat of their SUV and the Stanley Cup in the trunk.  

To the eager eyes of several Manhattanville VIP’s, including  President Dr. Frank D. Sánchez and Athletic Director Julene Caulfield, Myles, flanked by Emily and their children, walked to the rear of the vehicle and carefully lifted Lord Stanley from a specially designed carrier, lifted it to his face and kissed it as cameras snapped around him. 

And as the family of four from Florida, dressed in sundresses and khaki shorts, posed for more photos with the trophy in front of the Reid Castle steps, friends and Manhattanville community members had begun gatherign in the castle’s West Room for a chance to see the NHL’s top prize up close. 

“Bringing the Stanley Cup to campus and sharing it with the Manhattanville community is a moment that we’ll never forget,” remarked Emily. “And sharing this with our children is incredibly special.” 

"Thank you all for coming today, this is my home away from home," Myles said as he addressed the gathered crowd inside the West Room. "I spent half of my life in this area. There are so many people here that I love and I thank you for coming. Thank you to my family for following me and enduring our many ups and downs." 

As the celebration inside the West Room carried on, friends and strangers alike kept the Fee’s busy. Many alumni and friends who shared the campus with Myles and Emily in the early 2000’s reminisced about their collective time at Manhattanville, often with warm embraces and bright smiles. Others shared personal stories about their love of the ice or the pleasure of watching Myles’ career. But all through the commotion of champaign toasts and selfies, Myles and Emily were never more than a few feet away from each other while their children playfully explored the majesty of Reid Castle. 

“For me, it’s never been just about the trophies,” said Emily. “It was about seeing the years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance come to fruition and being able to celebrate that as a family and as a Valiant.” 

And when the height of the celebration had passed, the couple made their way to the West Terrace for a quiet moment and some more photos. Standing among a garden of beautifully red roses and with the govaliants field behind them, Myles reached his hand around Emily’s back and gently pulled her closer letting the sun reflect off his championship ring.  

“It happened right over there,” he said as the two gazed down the quad towards Spellman Hall. “That’s where we met. That’s where this all began.”  

About 91����

91���� (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. “U.S. News and World Report” ranks Manhattanville among the Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 23 NCAA Division III teams.  

It’s great to be a Valiant!

First of all, thank you to each of you who supported the Valiant Challenge last week. We raised over $90,000 for our athletic teams! Thank you also for coming out and supporting our teams and dance clubs at Red Madness; it was a huge success.

For the first time EVER, all of our Fall teams have secured a playoff spot!!

Women’s Tennis finished the regular season undefeated in conference, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming Skyline Conference Tournament. That tournament begins today at 3 p.m. If you need a break, I encourage you to walk over to the courts for semifinal tournament action this afternoon.

Men’s Soccer earned the No. 2 overall seed in the upcoming Skyline Conference Tournament and will host a semifinal game next week.

Field Hockey earned either the No. 3 or 4 overall seed in their Atlantic East Tournament and will play their semifinal game on the road Saturday, November 2. (seeding TBD after this evening’s game)

Women’s Soccer earned the No. 6 overall seed in the upcoming Skyline Conference Tournament and will be traveling for a Quarterfinal match on Saturday, November 2

Women’s and Men’s Cross Country will compete in the Skyline Conference Championship at Bethpage State Park on Sunday, November 3

Women’s Volleyball still has a few games to play, but it is currently undefeated in conference play and guaranteed the No. 1 or 2 seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament. 

We have a very exciting and busy two weeks ahead of us, and I encourage you, and your teams, to support our student-athletes as they compete to defend and win their conference championships this week.

Playoff Schedule

Wednesday, October 30

No. 1 Women’s Tennis vs. No. 4 Yeshiva – 3p
Manhattanville Tennis Courts

Saturday, November 2

Women’s Tennis Skyline Conference Championship Match – 12p
Manhattanville Tennis Courts

*If we win Wednesday, we will host on the Manhattanville Tennis Courts

Saturday, November 2

Field Hockey at No. 1 or 2 seed (TBD after this evening’s game)
Location TBD

Saturday, November 2

No. 6 Women’s Soccer at No. 3 TBD
Location TBD

Sunday, November 3
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country at Skyline Conference Tournament
Bethpage State Park
FAN BUS: Departing Spellman 9a. You must : 

Wednesday, November 6

No. 2 Men’s Soccer vs. TBD – 4p
GoValiants.com Field

Saturday, November 9

Men’s Soccer Skyline Conference Championship Game

Location TBD Based on Semifinal Games

Thursday, November 14

Women’s Volleyball vs TBD – 6p
Kennedy Gym

Saturday, November 16

Women’s Volleyball Skyline Conference Championship Game

Previous Championships:  Men’s Golf finished sixth in the Skyline Conference Tournament.

I hope that you will join me in celebrating and supporting our student-athletes as they compete for conference championships and a bid to the NCAA Tournament.  I will update the games as we progress through the tournaments.

Go Valiants!

Julene

Julene Caulfield
Associate Vice President for Athletics
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