Box Score Garden City, N.Y. - With the help of an impressive career-high performance from senior
Beth Ann Pierce, the Adelphi University women's lacrosse program defeated #10 Mercy College Saturday afternoon by an 18-7 decision.
Prior to the start of the contest, the department honored seven seniors for their accomplishments during their careers. Responsible for three Northeast-10 Conference titles and two NCAA Division II National Championship crowns, the program will graduate
Chandley Borges,
Kateri Brooks,
Allison Schneider,
Michele Scannell,
Kaitlyn Stackpole,
Hailey Peterson and Pierce.
Pierce posted a team and career-high seven goals in the victory, including two successful free position attempts. She was matched in points by rookie
Christina Ferrara, who also had a career-day with three goals and four assists. K. Stackpole continued her defensive hold, causing four turnovers and helping
Hailey Peterson in goal hold the Mavericks to just seven goals.
A 9-1 run paced the start of the non-conference matchup with Adelphi (16-1) and Mercy (13-3). The home team held the advantage after nearly 20 minutes of action with goals from six different Panthers. Ferrara assisted three straight goals to total her tally up to five in the first half alone. The teams traded goals down the stretch after the 7:05 mark, with the Brown and Gold ultimately leading 11-4 at the break.
With a late yellow card assessed at the close of the first frame, Jillian Graziano served a 2:00 minute unreleasable penalty that carried into the second half. In that time, Adelphi managed to score three man-down possessions, courtesy of
Kole Pollock, Pierce and Ferrara. Leading scorer for the Mavericks Hunter Isnardi tried to get something going on offense, but three unanswered goals kept the clock at running time and the visitors at bay.
Pierce scored her seventh and final goal of the game at 2:02 which sealed the deal for the regular season finale.
After completing the regular season with a perfect 13-0 mark in Northeast-10 Conference play, Adelphi has garnered the top seed for the 2018 NE10 Women's Lacrosse Championship, it was announced by the league office Saturday. The NE10 Championship is set to begin with quarterfinal contests this coming Wednesday, where the Panthers will take on #8 Assumption College at 4:00 p.m. on Motamed Field.
Adelphi is currently the top-ranked team in the nation and will host the Semifinals and Championship should they win on Wednesday. Le Moyne (12-1 NE10) will be the second seed in this year's championship. Pace claimed the No. 3 seed after going 10-3 in the NE10, while Merrimack (10-3 in conference play) earned the No. 4 seed.
The highest remaining seed will host both the semifinals and finals on Saturday and Sunday. The semifinal round is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, while the 2018 NE10 title game is slated for Sunday, May 6.
About Adelphi Athletics
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009, and in the past eight seasons, has collected 26 regular season conference titles, 28 tournament championships, 37 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup four times (2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017), while winning six NCAA Division II National Championships.
For the latest on Adelphi University Athletics, follow the Panthers at www.aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat.
