Wilmington, Del. - While the match was closer than the score indicated, the Adelphi University women's tennis team lost by a 6-1 decision Monday to Wilmington University in its 2023-24 regular-season finale at Delcastle Tennis Center.

The Panthers (11-5) now await their fate in next month's NCAA Division II Championship, of which Adelphi earned the conference's automatic qualifier this fall by virtue of its NE10 Championship victory.

The Brown and Gold still had an early hole to dig itself out of, after forfeiting No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles.

A 6-4, 6-1 straight-set victory by Carolina Chaves ignited a near-stunning comeback for the 'Cats.

In dramatic fashion, the Panthers and Wildcats (15-4) went to a third-set tiebreak in each of the first three singles matches. And in two of those contests, Adelphi dropped the opening set.

With the result very much up for grabs, Wilmington took all three tiebreaks on its home court. Katarina Liedbeck succumbed to two-time All-CACC performer Jess Purdy at No. 1 singles, 6-7 (5-7).

In the matches that preceded the finish at the No. 1 flight, Roisin Boyd lost 6-7 (2-7) in her tiebreak at No. 2 singles, and Astrid Bergh fell short in a 6-7 (4-7) tiebreak at No. 3.

Head Coach Rebecca Fakas and the Panthers will receive their marching orders for the NCAA Tournament, when the selection show airs Monday, May 6 at 8:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.