Purchase, NY (Sept. 6, 2014) – The Purchase women's soccer team lost its first game of the season at non-conference opponent College of Staten Island, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon.

After a 45-minute delay to start the contest, the game got underway under extreme conditions.  With the temperature reaching nearly 95 degrees with a heat index over triple digits, the teams traded possession time, looking to scratch out opportunities at both ends.

Pushing through the high temperatures, Purchase held the Dolphins to a 1-0 score at the half, but CSI continued their momentum, scoring two more in the second half.

With a little less than 24 minutes in the first half, CSI senior Melissa Gelardi crossed a ball from the right side to junior Danielle Smith who turned to score the first goal of the game. 

Gelardi added two more assists for a hat-trick in the scorebook after the Dolphins scored their second and third goal with 40:06 and 1:03 left in the second frame.    

Purchase had 15 shot attempts, including a breakaway from Amanda Green (SO/Roslyn Heights, NY) which was denied by CSI goalkeeper Kristy Colangelo. 

The Panthers held the edge in shots on goal, 9-8, although the Dolphins led the final shot count, 17-15. 

Purchase rookie goalie, Briana Leon (SO/Glen Cove, NY) had five saves in her debut appearance. 

The Panthers, now 0-1 on the season, will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when they head north to play SUNY New Paltz. Kickoff will begin at 4 p.m.