Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - With an 0-2 record looming after its southern swing, the no. 6 Adelphi University women's lacrosse team secured its first victory in 2023, defeating no. 11 Mercy College, 9-5, on Saturday. 

Adelphi netminder Madison Marchetta put up a career-afternoon between the pipes, finishing with 13 saves and the victory. 

The Panthers (1-2) were led with a pair of goals from Danielle Marino, who converted one of her two free position attempts on the day. Seven other goal-scorers found a way past Olivia Maute, who finished with seven saves in goal for the Mavs. 

Adelphi was down 0-2 after the home team tallied the first two scores of the game, with Marino breaking the silence for the Brown and Gold at 9:37 in the first. From there, the visiting team rattled off the next three goals of the contest to hold a two-goal advantage after the opening 15 minutes of action. 

The home team held the Cats scoreless throughout the second, despite four shots on goal, all saved by Maute. The Mavericks' offense cut the team's deficit to one when they scored the lone goal of the second frame, and went into the break trailing 3-4. 

Mercy was responsible for the equalizer at 11:45 in the third quarter but, unsatisfied, Adelphi scored four in a span of 11 minutes to regain the advantage and head into the final quarter up 8-4. Giovanna Zapparrata and Tamia Lawson scored their first goals of the season in that stretch to give Adelphi the upper hand. 

Both teams managed a strike in the fourht, but the margin was great enough for the Panthers to hold on for the victory. Rookie Rita Sefransky led the team with five draw control wins as Kelly-Ann McGrath kicked off her season with four and a goal to boot. 

The win marks Adelphi's fifth win overall against the Mavericks, to remain unblemished all-time. 

The women's lacrosse team will break for the week and open up at home on Saturday, Mar. 11 when they host Roberts Wesleyan in non-conference action at 1:00 p.m.