Hickory, N.C. - In just its third meeting all-time, the no. 5  Adelphi University failed to take down the Division II defending champion Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on Saturday, falling 3-7. 

The Bears stay unbeaten to start the 2024 campaign, coming off a title season where they finished 18-3. 

Wasting no time, the home team scored less than a minute into the contest after a timely caused turnover following an Adelphi faceoff victory. Using its momentum, the Bears (5-0) added another tally two minutes later to take a 2-0 lead in the contest. Nearly half the quarter went by before the Panthers got a chance in their offensive zone - Stephen Bayer landed a shot right on goal, into the stick of Rob Pensabene. 

After its opening two strikes, Dylan Renner and the defense shut down the Bear attack, with Renner recording four saves in the first quarter alone. 

The hosts tacked on two more goals before the Panthers found a way, when a quick stick pass from Ryan Bauco found Kyle Lewis right in front of the crease landed in the bottom left corner to cut the deficit to three heading into the break.

In what hoped to be a momentum shift, Adelphi went cold while Lenoir Rhyne put three more goals in the back of the cage throughout the third frame. Bauco and Jack Hipchen connected for the Cats second tally of the day, with their work cut out for them heading into the final quarter of regulation. 

As the only team to score all quarter, Logan Tucker and Aidan Fitzgerald teamed up to put one past Pensabene early on to make it a four-goal game. Several failed clear attempts and untimely turnovers plagued the Panthers down the stretch, as three shots managed to land on goal but with no avail. 

With its first loss of the season, Adelphi will return to Garden City and prepare to host Mercy University next Saturday, Mar. 2.