Purchase, NY (Sept. 7, 2010) – Purchase jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but couldn't sustain its strong start against visiting Brooklyn Tuesday night ultimate falling 3-1 to the Bulldogs.

Despite putting up a heck of a fight, the Panthers were unable to build off the momentum of the first set. After Purchase took the opener in extras, 27-25, Brooklyn bounced back in a 25-21 win in game two before stealing the pivotal game three, 26-24 in another nail bitter.

With the Bulldogs up 2-1, Purchase kept pace in the fourth set. The Panthers were ultimately edged 25-20 as Brooklyn rallied in its season opener for the 3-1 victory.

The loss drops Purchase to 0-2.

The match instantly began with a ferocious back-and-forth between the two teams, each one of them one-upping the other. As the match drew on, the Panthers' energy never seemed to dwindle, in opposition to their previous season opener.

Erika Stahl (SR/Mahopac, NY) came away with a team-high nine kills. Teammates Olivia Hintz (JR/East Aurora, NY) and Taylor Edelmann (SO/Bethel, CT) were not far behind with six and four, respectively. Freshman Cathryn Mulvey (FR/Scarsdale, NY) was also sharp, racking up three kills of her own.

Setting the tone offensively for the Panthers was setter Lindsay Navagh (FR/Fulton, NY), who had seven assists in defeat.

The Panthers posted a .333 hitting percentage in the opener, but struggled in sets two and four, hitting for a negative percentage. They posted their best totals in the third set (.538) despite a tough defeat in game three.

While Purchase wilted a bit down the stretch, Brooklyn got stronger as the match went on. The Bulldogs posted positive hitting percentages in all four sets, including their two highest, .194 and .154, in the third and fourth sets, respectively.

Brooklyn's middle hitter, Caitlin McMullen, led the way with a match-high 11 kills and teammate Amanda Fiore handed out 29 assists and put away seven service aces.

Purchase will try again for its first win Thursday night at Medgar Evers.