Results 

Purchase, NY (Oct. 14, 2016) – Purchase head swim coach Peter Nestel once again used the opener of the season for fierce competition and some fun, too.

The Panthers welcomed Division II power Adelphi University – a program that Nestel said is even stronger than a year ago – Friday night in the debut for both teams. Purchase, which opened at Adelphi last season, utilized the non-conference, out-of-division matchup to square up against stronger comp to kick start the campaign, while also using the evening for some good times.

Although the Panthers would fall 341-125 combined, the evening featured an alternate event list of 28 events – a series of relays, and was even capped by a kickboard swim that was run exhibition. "Adelphi is very strong and the two programs have developed a nice relationship," Nestel said. "There's plenty of mutual respect on both sides."

The DII Panthers won the 200-yard medley relays and the 1,000-yard freestyle relays, but Purchase's foursome of Colleen Ferguson (SO/Marcellus, NY), Jill Trazino (JR/New York, NY), Hayley Restivo (JR/Jamestown, NY) and Nicole Brennan (SO/Cochecton, NY) were sharp in collecting four points in event three.

Kelsey Straub (SR/White Plains, NY) picked up the host's first win in the 50 freestyle (31:31), but Adelphi was on-point behind victories by John Bellotti, Emma Breiner and Zack Vreeland in events 8-10. Adelphi's Jacqueline Vani also previously earned a first-place win in the 200 IM.

Purchase lost 138-87 on the women's side and 203-38 on the men's side.

Rachel Parker (SR/Glen Head, NY) captured a first-place finish for Purchase in the 100 butterfly (1:06.35).

Adelphi followed with wins by Ryan Mullin, Danielle Dreiss, Gerry Theophilidis, Amanda Crosby and Noah Strong in finishing up strong on the night.

The host Panthers received solid evenings in the pool from Sam Jaffe (SR/Silver Spring, MD), Melanie Case (SR/Mamaroneck, NY) and the aforementioned members of the relay, as well as Straub and Parker.

"It was a great night of swimming, despite the final score," Nestel said.