Colchester, Vt. - On the legs of three second-quarter goals, the Adelphi University field hockey team stood tall in its contest at Saint Michael's College on Saturday morning, by a final score of 4-2.

Offensive opportunities took no time to wait in the opening frame, with the sides combining for ten shots, six of them on goal. Shortly following a penalty corner from the hosts, Saint Michael's was granted a penalty stroke with less than three minutes in the first. Bridgie Loughlin struck home her 15th of the season to put the Purple Knights in front 1-0.

The next set of 15 minutes were the most crucial for the Brown and Gold. Getting started quickly, the 'Cats saw themselves with an excellent chance off a penalty corner from Hailey Galison within a couple minutes. After a pass from Ali Nagy at the top of the circle, freshman Ebba Piekaar found some space on the left side and fired a ball through the goalkeeper's legs to knot the game at 1-all. 

About four minutes later, Elisabeth Seyfarth passed a ball inside the scoring circle, taking an odd roll past the goalkeeper into a scrum of defenders and Panthers. Sydney Rossacci was there to tap it home amongst the scramble, for her second goal in as many games to give Adelphi its first lead of the day at 2-1. 

Not satisfied yet, the visitors searched for another chance to light up the scoreboard. After Galison inserted another penalty corner, Amanda Lee threw a pass towards the cage. Who else but Galison was there to redirect the ball into the back of the goal, giving the Panthers a 3-1 lead heading into the break.

Saint Michael's continued to apply the pressure to start the second half, tacking on an additional three shots and two penalty corners. Following a pass from the top of the circle, the ball bounced around Amanda Montiel's scoring perimeter before the Purple Knights' Rees Lord tapped home her first of the season. The ball that just got away from Galison in the net cut the deficit to 3-2 going into the final quarter. 

Looking for more insurance, the Panthers didn't stop looking for plays to add to their scoring total. Just past three minutes in, a spectacular play unfolded to put the 'Cats in the driver's seat. After Seyfarth threw in a rocket from about 25 feet out, Emiline Biggin got her stick on it inside the scoring circle with an incredible redirect that rolled right past the defense and goalkeeper to put the Brown and Gold up 4-2. 

Despite seven more shots from the hosts, including a penalty stroke, the defense took care of business, along with Montiel tallying 13 saves that led to a regular-season finale victory. 

Head Coach Jess Mulhern and Adelphi will now begin postseason play in the NE10 quarterfinals at Bentley on Tuesday (Oct. 31). Stay tuned to AUPanthers.com for more details regarding a game time and streaming links.