Tampa, Fla. - On their final day in the Sunshine State, the no. 2 Adelphi University men's lacrosse team earned a 19-11 decision over the no. 9 University of Tampa in a midday meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The last time these two teams met, the current seniors were freshman in 2016 and that contest resulted in an 11-19 loss for Adelphi. This season, the Panthers (3-0, 1-0 NE10) decidedly spoiled the Spartans (2-2) home opener with an identical score courtesy of 10 different point-scorers.
Nicolas Racalbuto scored a team-high five goals as three other players recorded hat tricks in the win.
"This group of young men have worked extremely hard and today's win testifies that passion and effort can be directly linked to success," commented Head Coach
Gordon Purdie following the team's third consecutive victory.
Adelphi wasted no time getting on the board as a tally from Racalbuto 10 seconds in got things started for the visitors. Tampa's Dom Mazza netted the equalizer at 12:57 mark but
John Arcidiacono sparked a run of six goals for the Panthers to put them ahead 7-1 with three minutes to play in the first quarter.
Michael Paccione connected with Racalbuto for the final strike from the Panthers, in between two more goals from the home team.
The second frame was the only on in which the hosts outscored their opponents at a 4-3 clip, however the home team still trailed by four at the half. The third quarter seemed relatively even for the programs, as both managed seven shots and had nearly the same amount of clears, but Adelphi still came away with a 3-1 advantage in goals.
After an opening score from the Spartan's Colin White in the finale, the Panthers rattled off five straight goals to ultimately put the contest out of reach. Adelphi's defense caused seven of Tampa's 17 turnovers as
Brendan McDougal and
Kevin Rice combined between the pipes for 13 and two saves, respectively.
Nineteen goals from Adelphi marks the largest number of tallies given up by Tampa this season. Prior to, Florida Southern scored 14 but lost to the Spartans by a 17-14 final decision.
The men's program is off to its best start since 2015, having won their first three games thus far. They return to their home field on Saturday, March 2, when they host American International College at 3:00 p.m.
About Adelphi Athletics
A regionally and nationally competitive NCAA Division II institution located in Garden City, N.Y., Adelphi University has been a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference since 2009.
Winners of 16 NCAA Division II National Championships and four NE10 Presidents' Cups, Panther athletes have excelled at the conference, regional and national level, both on the field of play and in the classroom. In turn, the Adelphi athletic department is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and success where its student-athletes can thrive both on campus and off.
Stay connected with Adelphi Athletics by following the Panthers at
aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and wear your Panther pride by shopping official Adelphi Panthers gear at
our licensed team store.
