March 28, 2009

Box Score

Garden City, N.Y. - Sophomore Michelle Ceraso registered four of her game-high six goals in the first half as #2 Adelphi University cruised to a 21-4 victory over Merrimack College this afternoon. The Panthers remain perfect at 8-0, while the Warriors fall to 1-3.

The Panthers made quick work of the Warriors, surging out to a 4-0 lead over the first 2:24 minutes of play. Adelphi continued its run, with freshman Erica Devito making it a 10-0 game on a feed by Ceraso at 15:19. The Warriors got on board in the 25th minute, as Alicia Tinsley found the back of the net on a free position shot. Ceraso scored her fouth goal on an assist from freshman Alison Staudt, before Merrimack's Tinsley scored again with a minute to go. At the end of the first half, the Panthers led 12-2.

Sophmore Kaitlyn Carter tallied back-to-back goals, each assisted by senior Rachel Ray, to open the second half. Adelphi continued its rally, adding five more goals to push its margin to 18-2. Mary Pasquantonio gave Merrimack its third goal on a free position shot with 16:31 left on the clock. Staudt tallied her second goal of the day in the 46th minute on an assist by Carter which sparked a 3-0 run. Ceraso accounted for the final Panther point with a free position goal in the 55th minute. The Warriors snuck in a final goal with 3:19 left in regulation to finish the game, 18-4.

Carter and Devito each finished with four goals. Ray had one goal and four assists.

Junior Caitlin Fitzpatrick made 14 stops in the win, while Jamie-Lee Whitewater also made 14 saves for the Warriors.

The Panthers are back in action next Friday, April 3, as they host the University of New Haven at 7:00 p.m.