Box Score

Purchase, NY (Apr. 11, 2013) – The first senior class in lacrosse's history was on display Thursday night as the program celebrated Senior Night at Purchase College.

A rainy evening did not dampen the spirits of the Purchase women's lacrosse team, which started strong, matching goal-for-goal with visiting Kean before the Cougars, a much more experienced program, prevailed 21-5, dominating the remainder of the first half and the entire second half.

However, the final score was not indicative of how far the Panthers have come in the team's first full season under head coach Devon Whalen. With many players new to the sport, making the switch from club to a full-fledged varsity team, the skill set clearly improved over the spring campaign, which will conclude Monday night at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the team's final regular season matchup.  

Thursday was the final home evening for the Panthers, who turned the night into a party for their three graduating seniors. Whalen put together some terrific notes for Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini, who MCed a brief halftime ceremony, surrounded by the trio's parents and loved ones, as the rains came pouring down.  

The team honored seniors Sarah D'Andrea (SR/Gaylordsville, CT), Angela Giacalone (SR/Vineland, NJ) and Alyssa Rosado (SR/Brooklyn, NY).

“Giacalone is the original women's lacrosse player, the first girl on the team,” Whalen explained. “She flies to Mexico frequently but changes her flight, so not to miss practices and games. She also is leading in ghost shots at practice and has great advice on how to meet people.

“Alyssa has one lung, one foot and a big heart,” Whalen joked. “She is the proud owner of the team's unofficial mascot, Terri. A two-sport athlete, who now is forced to move her arms when she runs, and lives at the gym … you can always hear her coming due to the massive amounts of keys she carries.

Whalen said Sarah arrives at practice with “an original prop from the Wizard of OZ,” she continued, poking fun at D'Andrea's bicycle. “She enjoys talking about awkward conversations and can really rant when she wants. She is one of the top clearing catchers on the team, the most persistent with shot attempts at practice, and she's very fast when she tries, but only has one sprint per practice.”

The joyful halftime paved the way for a soggy final 30 minutes. Kean poured it on in the second.

Lyndsey Cannon led Kean with six goals for the contest. Stephanie Tocko and Ciara Mastrodomenico added five and three, respectively. Kean outscored Purchase 10-1 in the final stanza after an 11-4 margin at intermission.  

Purchase was led by Cat Viscardi (SO/Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) and Samantha Rich (FR/Providence, RI), who finished with three and two goals, respectively, accounting for the team's five goals between the two of them. Goalkeeper Jess Lindsay (JR/Rochester, NY) made 22 saves in defeat.