Garden City N.Y. -  Ignited by a strong second half, the no. 2 Adelphi University women's lacrosse program outlasted no. 6 Assumption University on Wednesday, 15-9, to advance to their 11th Northeast-10 Conference final.

Marielle Colalillo, an All-Conference Second Team selection this season, led the team in total points with six, while Alexandra Leggio matched her career best output of five goals, for the third time this season. 

The first quarter featured a back and fourth battle between the two squads, ending with the Panthers (14-3) having a slight 4-2 edge. After Rita Sefransky's slick stick work got things started, Marielle Colalillo and Payson Hedges each got on the board. Assumption (8-8) managed to cut the lead down to one, before Leggio scooped and scored off of a rebound, capping off an exciting period of play

Amanda Lee scored just one minute into the fresh quarter, the Greyhounds soon retaliated. It was the six-seed that scored three straight goals to tie the game up at five, silencing the stands at Motamed Field. With momentum slipping, Leggio got the Brown and Gold back on track, tallying two straight goals. The 2-0 run helped the Panthers regain their two score cushion heading into halftime.

Out of the break, the Greyhounds answered back, scoring two straight to knot the game up again, this time at seven-all. Following the rally by the visitors, Colalillo and Hedges stopped the bleeding, each connecting on their second scores of the day. After Leggio extended the lead to three, Julia Foppiano capitalized off a fast break, sending the home team into the fourth with a four-goal edge.

In familiar fashion, the visitors again rallied, to stay within striking distance.

Colalillo put a stop to the comeback once more, capturing a hat trick, in what was her fifth point of the game. Soon after, Sefransky and Leggio each re-entered the scoring column, putting the game out of reach, and wrapping up the big second half. 

The Panthers now look ahead to the NE10 Championship final, making it back after a runner-up finish in 2024. The contest will be a rematch of the 2024 Championship, as Pace advances after defeating Saint Anselm 14-13. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m. in Pleasantville, N.Y.