Box Score

Purchase, NY (Oct. 20, 2011) – Sage's Rebecca Marszalek spoiled the ending in what had all the makings of a dramatic come-from-behind win for Purchase Thursday night.
 
The Gator senior forward scored two early goals and saved her best for last, providing the game-winning score in double OT with 2:31 to go. Purchase goalkeeper Kristen Racaniello (SO/Riverhead, NY) was overextended on the play, coming out to block a potential shot and GW score, when Lindsay Millett tipped a pass to Marszalek, which she fired into the net for a swift, heartbreaking 3-2 win.
 
A pair of first-half goals by the Sage forward looked like it would be enough early on, but host Purchase battled back and forced overtime as rookie midfielder Cristie Hipsman (FR/Chester, NY) ruined a potential Gator victory in regulation. In the 69th minute, Hipsman fired a shot that bounced over the goalkeeper's head, equalizing the score at 2-2 – the same score it would remain for the rest of regulation and later nearly two hard-fought overtime periods.  
 
Although the Panthers (6-6, 3-4 Skyline Conference) would cut the deficit to one goal midway through the first, and even produce a few golden opportunities around the net later, it took Purchase some time to even the score following a pair of early strikes. The primary culprit for the Gators was Marszalek, who scored both opening period goals for the visitors, first handing Sage a 1-0 lead and shortly later a commanding 2-0 cushion.
 
Co-captain and Skyline Conference Player of the Week Ashley Panepinto (SR/North Rockland, NY) continued her impressive scoring streak for Purchase. Panepinto, who also garnered a prestigious ECAC Offensive Player of the Week – a top-flight regional honor – made it 2-1, netting her ninth goal of the season off a well-placed cross from standout rookie Cat Viscardi (FR/Lake Ronkonkoma, NY). Panepinto, who has scored in three straight, peppered the goal several times, but despite her best efforts could not net the equalizer until opting to assist on Hipsman's game-tying score in the second half.  
 
Panepinto nearly served up the game-winning goal with 12:05 remaining in regulation. However, Sage netminder Brittany McDonald came out and squashed the shot. Down the stretch, Viscardi powered a few shots of her own on goal, none of which found the back of the net.  
 
The loss withstanding, Purchase is on the road to the postseason – even if it means punching its ticket to the league tournament as the final seed (No. 6). On the bright side, the Panthers have received a tremendous lift this fall from several players whose talents don't necessarily translate well into the box score. Standout rookies Amanda Maertz (FR/Holbrook, NY) and Hipsman have played very well, with Maertz shining defensively and the athletic Hipsman playing well in the midfield. Fellow newcomers Marie Uridia (SO/Red Hook, NY), an upbeat, high energy player, and talented defender Kelly Gatto (FR/Mattituck, NY), comprise a core to lookout for in the future.
 
No player has shown greater improvement than Alyssa Rosado (JR/Brooklyn, NY), who has made a nice transition to the starting lineup this fall. The collective has done a great job in the absence of All-Skyline returnee Abigail Katz (JR/Livingston, NY), who despite starting in several recent games, has been hampered by injuries. Her lingering troubles held her out of the lineup again tonight.
 
Katz' absence was clearly evident, especially on the offensive end of the field, where the Panthers could have used her tenacious goal-scoring ability.
 
Sage, which improved to 6-7 and 4-4 in the league, was actually outshot 27-17 for the contest. But it was the three shots on this night by Marszalek that proved to be the difference in a tight game.  
 
Purchase will look to bounce back Saturday at home, when the team will celebrate Senior Day. Seniors Panepinto and Ariel Dugan (SR/Lindenhurst, NY) will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony.