Lakeland, Fla. – The #2 Adelphi University women's lacrosse team started off the 2017 season victorious, picking up a 21-2 win over #8 Grand Valley State University Saturday afternoon.
 
Leading the Panthers (1-0) was senior captain Jacqueline Jahelka who contributed seven points behind five goals and two assists. Casey Zalewski followed suit adding four goals of her own and two assists to finish with six points. Michele Scannell collected a hattrick as teammates Alison Johnson, Chelsea Abreu and Kole Pollock all chipped in two apiece.
 
Adelphi wasted no time getting on the board at Bryant Stadium, as Zalweski netted her first of the contest off a pass from Alyssa Gillespie at the forty second mark. She quickly added another this time from Shea Weber before the Lakers (0-2) contributed any offense. Ryan Skomial found Meghan Datema, cutting the Panther lead to just one.
 
Unsatisfied the designated home team managed to rattle off eight goals in the remaining 25 minutes of the half, to command an 11-1 lead at the break. Zalewski scored a hattrick within the opening six minutes of play as Johnson added her two in back-to-back breaks towards the goal. With 9:54 left on the scoreboard, Pollock and Alyssa Gillespie each grabbed their first career goals in the opening frame.
 
Three minutes passed before either team scored in the second, each minute adding a shot attempt until Scannell found a way past new Laker goalie Sarah Zwilsky. With the clock on running time the Panthers continued to control the offensive battle with rookie Alison Stackpole getting in on the action with her first career goal at 8:30. Grand Valley managed to sneak in one goal after being held scoreless for more than 50 minutes on a free position shot from Abbi O'Neal.
 
The Brown and Gold added on more, courtesy of Pollock in the last two minutes to end the contest with a 21-2 season-opening win. In goal for the Panthers, Hailey Peterson managed to pick up three saves, only allowing two goals. The home team held a 32-9 advantage in shots taken and won the draw control battle 16-8.
 
The team returns to action on Tuesday, February 21 when they take on the No. 1 Florida Southern Mocs in a rematch of last year's Division II National Championship game. Earlier in the week, Florida Southern defeated GVSU 18-12. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. under the lights at Bryant Stadium.

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About Adelphi Athletics:
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past seven seasons, has collected 20 regular season conference titles, 24 tournament championships, 29 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup three times (2013, 2014, and 2016), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

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