Garden City, N.Y. - It was a hard fought come back in torrential downpour conditions, but the Adelphi University women's lacrosse team was not able to overcome the no. 19 Chargers of New Haven Wednesday afternoon, ultimately dropping an 8-7 decision in its home opener. 

Gianna Bifulco notched her second career hat trick despite the loss, scoring three for the Panthers, all in the second half. 

Even though Christina McCabe got the Panthers (0-2) on the board first, the visiting team rattled off a 3-0 run to take a two-goal advantage at the 11:43 mark in the first half. The University of New Haven was assessed a yellow card shortly before their third straight tally, but a save in net from Fabiana McLeod allowed the Chargers (2-3) to storm back down the field to find the back of the goal. 

Tamia Lawson tallied her first career goal to come within one of New Haven with under 10 minutes to go in the opener, but the visitors tacked on two more before time expired to hold a three-goal lead at the break. 

It was New Haven's Annie Acquavita that continued the stretch of goals for the visitors to start the second half, but Kole Pollock's first strike of the 2021 season sparked a 4-1 run for the Panthers who scored a trio of goals in just 2:21 to cut the New Haven advantage to one. A set play gave Pollock the opportunity to find Alyssa Gillespie in the middle and Bifulco's first score of the afternoon came off a pass from Lawson. 

A foul on the visiting team set up Bifulco on the arc, as she drove home a shot past McLeod for her first free position conversion of the season. A back-and-forth affair ensued over the next eight minutes as the Panthers managed only one shot on goal. 

Kailey Broderick committed a foul on Mary Rishmany to give New Haven their fifth free position attempt of the half at 9:23 to give the Chargers a two-goal lead, but Bifulco converted once more from the arc to trail by one with under seven minutes to play. Strong defense for Adelphi in the remaining minutes forced a shot clock violation and Broderick recorded a caused turnover but a last second shot for the Panthers ricocheted off the post as the game came to a close. 

Adelphi bested the Chargers in several categories but the visitors managed an 11-6 advantage in draw controls to seal the win. 

Head Coach Pat McCabe and his squad will have a week-long break and travel to the College of Saint Rose on Wednesday, April 7. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m..