Box Score

Purchase, NY (Sept. 10, 2011) – They may be out of conference now, but the rivalry between Bard College and Purchase College continues in 2011.

The hometown Panthers pushed rival Bard to the brink Saturday in a match that lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours. Although Purchase battled the Raptors to the very end, Bard narrowly came out on top, winning 5-4 in what Purchase head coach Patricia Troiano deemed “their best match as a team” on her watch.

Purchase (1-1) showed its mettle in the non-conference affair, challenging the Liberty League's newest member in an early fall season thriller.

The Raptors, taking part in their season opener, fell behind early, dropping two of three doubles matches to Purchase. Gabriella Marden (SO/Bayside, NY) and Moriah Ormsby (SO/Montebello, NY) shined in doubles, bouncing back from an early four-game deficit for an incredible come-from-behind 9-7 victory.

“What a match,” Troiano said. “They are certainly a dynamic duo to watch this season.”

With the Panthers leading 2-1 after doubles, the Raptors were no match for rising star Marden, who upended Bard's No. 1, Sofia Commito, 6-0, 6-1 at the top spot. Although Ormsby would fall short at No. 2, Melissa Siller (FR/Roslyn Heights, NY) kept the Panthers rolling with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3. Siller toppled Bard's Julia DeFabo, 6-3, 6-1, in an impressive outing for the newcomer.

The see-saw match forged forward with Purchase holding on. However, Bard surged past the Panthers late, wrapping up the contest by taking the final three singles matchups, highlighted by a tough win by Nellie Plotkin at No. 4.

“We came up just short, but I'm extremely proud of the team,” Troiano said. “They did a great job. They were in midseason form today and I really believe a match like this can only help us in conference.”

The Panthers open their conference schedule later in the month. Purchase will now travel to Western Connecticut State University for another non-conference matchup on Monday.