Purchase, NY
(Oct. 24, 2015) – Five seniors were honored on Senior Day Saturday.
The Purchase College women's team recognized
Kristen Kohn (SR/Morristown, NJ),
Pernille Karlson (SR/Hadsund, Denmark),
Marykate McGee (SR/Oceanside, NY),
Cristina de Jesus (SR/Purchase, NY) and
Samantha Rich (SR/Providence, RI) in a pre-game ceremony that was MCed by
Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini and included friends and family of the five. With all joined at midfield, each of the seniors were introduced before the game.
Kohn was remembered for her play in the midfield and as a defender.
Head coach Joseph Ruesgen said, "She's an athletic player who listens and executes the game plan without question," while de Jesus, a dender, was described in the ceremony as a "team-first player" and a "relaxed personality." McGee was celebrated for her "enthusiastic personality," and her hard work in the midfield and at a forward, where she has 14 goals in her senior campaign.
The final two, Rich and Karlson, garnered big applause as well, with Rich being celebrated for providing support to her teammates in a senior season where she suffered a season-ending knee injury. Ciafardini said of Rich: "This banner student-athlete and student worker is the epitome of hard work, dedication and support … a tough and aggressive defender, whose presence will be missed."
Karlson was joined in her walkout to midfield by the entire team, a special moment for the Panther veteran. "She brings composure and experience," Ciafardini said of Karlson. "She's always reassuring to her teammates."
The five seniors were presented with small tokens of appreciation, including certificates from the SID office, and will be honored once again at the program's annual awards banquet in April.
As for the game, St. Joseph's College-LI, another team battling for one of the top six postseason spots, topped the Panthers, 5-0. Purchase (5-11-1, 4-4-1 Skyline) came into the contest in fifth place in the Skyline Conference standings, while SJC-LI was ranked sixth. The victory for St. Joe's has the two swapping places in the standings.
The Golden Eagles (6-8-1, 5-3 Skyline) scored three, first-half goals, including two from Chelsea Bellini – the first and third of the game – en route to the win. Joann Murino had the goal in between the two in the opening period.
In the second half, Bellini scored twice more to cap the victory.
