Albany, N.Y. - Kicking off the season in non-conference action, the Adelphi University men's lacrosse program found themselves pitted against the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, Le Moyne College, after COVID protocols postponed each originally scheduled opponent. 

Even with outscoring the Dolphins (1-0) in the final frame, the Panthers (0-1) dropped a 7-12 decision to open the 2021 campaign, in their first game in over 365 days. 

Newcomer Joseph Duchnowski, a transfer from New York Tech scored his first two goals in a Panther uniform, leading the visitor offense. Five other Panthers found the back of the net including freshman Jack Hipchen. Between the pipes, Kevin Rice matched his career-best 13 saves, despite the loss. 

Le Moyne was first to get on the board but back-to-back goals courtesy of Quentin O'Reilly and Duchnowski gave Adelphi an early lead in the first quarter. Evan Kelly, who finished as the Dolphins leading scorer in the contest, notched a hat trick before the first 15 minutes expired, giving the home team a one-goal advantage after the opening frame. 

Lawrence Galizia notched his first goal for the Brown and Gold to begin the second quarter, but the hosts put in three unanswered tallies to lead by as many at halftime. 

The third frame played out much like the second; to start, Gordon Purdie, Jr. found his way past Riley Smith - who finished with 14 saves and the win - but Le Moyne added four more goals before 15 minutes was through to extend their lead to six. 

Adelphi outscored the home team in the final quarter, but tallies from Angelo Caiazzo, Hipchen and Duchnowski were not enough to overcome the deficit.

The men's lacrosse program is scheduled to open up at home on Wednesday, March 24 when they host Pace University at 3:00 p.m.