Box Score 

Purchase, NY (Apr. 14, 2014) – An incredible sophomore campaign – one that saw the Purchase College women's lacrosse team go from zero victories last spring to five this year – came just one game short of the playoffs in year two of the program, as the College of Mount Saint Vincent slipped past the Panthers Monday afternoon at home, 10-7, to possibly secure the final postseason spot in the Skyline Conference Tournament.

The Panthers, who were edged 10-9 at Maritime over the weekend in a matchup that created a three-way tie for the fourth and final playoff spot coming into today's action, saw their season come to a close, despite a valiant effort.

Purchase finished at 5-5 overall and 2-5 in conference play. The one-goal defeat to Maritime, coupled with hard-fought losses to Mount Saint Mary last week and CMSV today, played a large role in Purchase just missing the cut.  

Three early, first-period goals set the tone for the Dolphins, who were able to carry that momentum throughout the rest of the first half and into the second period. Kelly Fraser got CMSV on the board first. Melina Mezzanotte and Shannon Steimel followed with goals for a quick 3-0 margin. Later, Fraser would add her second goal for a 4-0 advantage with under 10 minutes remaining in the half.

The Panthers countered with a goal from Nathalie Lavelanet (JR/South Salem, NY). Lavelanet has been a consistent scorer for Purchase and she once again pulled a swift run and shot right through the legs of keeper Kacie McCormack.

CMSV took a 4-1 lead into the break on a clear afternoon with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees. A nice crowd came out to cheer on the Panthers as they made a late season playoff push – a remarkable achievement for a team that embarked on its inaugural season last spring, switched head coaches and brought back many players    

The Panthers fought back in the second half as Samantha Rich (SO/Providence, RI) opened the scoring to make it 4-2, but the Dolphins responded quickly as moments later, Fraser, scored her third goal of the game. The hat trick pushed the margin to 5-2 with 28 minutes.

Less than two minutes later, CMSV appeared to take a 6-2 lead, but the officials called off a goal due to an illegal stick.

Trailing 5-2, Purchase fended off the Dolphins and managed to stay close, matching strike for strike, but the visitors kept the pressure on by continuing to find the back of the net. With time against them, the Panthers ran out of opportunities, falling just short over the final 25 minutes.

After the Dolphins took a 6-2 lead on another Fraser tally, Maria Papp (SO/White Plains, NY) scored for the hosts and Purchase was quickly back in the game at 6-3.

But Rich and the Panthers would not go quietly. The standout midfielder made it 6-4 and, like Lavelanet, would finish the game with three goals. 

With the back-and-forth affair in full affect, CMSV's Steimel provided some cushion in scoring off an assist from Jessica McAllister.

The Dolphins took a 7-4 lead before the two teams traded goals en route to an 8-5 score with a little less than six minutes to play. That's when the Dolphins iced the game, scoring back-to-back for a 10-5 margin. The resilient Panthers showed poise and toughness, adding a pair in the final two minutes, but without time on their side, CMSV pulled out the 10-7 final.

Fraser would finish with five goals for CMSV. Mezzanotte added three of her own and Steimel accounted for the other two. Laura Carr and McAllister each had an assist in the win.

In the loss, keeper Jessica Lindsay (SR/Rochester, NY) recorded 13 saves for Purchase. McCormack totaled nine for the Dolphins.

The Panthers held advantages in draw controls (10-6) and free-position shots, but lost the ground ball and turnover margins as CMSV utilized a strong first half to carry the Dolphins likely into the postseason. CMSV is now in fourth and would remain in that position unless Sage defeats MSMC Wednesday, which would advance the Gators into the playoffs. 

Head coach Francesca DeLorenzo said it was a tough defeat, but she was proud of her team's performance this season and is excited about the future of the program.