Kings Point, NY (March 15, 2016) – Purchase women's lacrosse opened the 2016 season Tuesday night on the road at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Despite an early two-goal lead, the Mariners came-from-behind to upend Purchase 12-10 and spoil the Panthers' season opener. Thanks to a strong second half, the USMMA took the win at Brooks Stadium. The Mariners trailed the Panthers, 5-3, after the first 30 minutes, but outscored the visitors, 9-5, in the second half.

USMMA's Meredith Willard set a new program record for goals in a game, as she found the back of the net six times. Ellen Carpenter recorded a hat trick with three goals.

The two teams traded the first four goals of the game before Purchase scored three of the last four in the opening half to take a 5-3 lead into the break.

Purchase was led by Emma Porter (SO/Homer, NY), who recorded four goals and an assist. Zoe Hines (SO/Maplewood, NJ) had three tallies and dished out one helper on the night. Samantha Rich (SR/Providence, RI) matched Maura Malone's draw control total of six, while four players tied for the team lead in groundballs. In goal, sophomore Cynthia Plackis (SO/East Northport, NY) made 10 saves in the losing effort.

The Mariners scored the first three goals of the second half to take their first lead of the night, 6-5, at 20:53. After Purchase tied the score up at 6-6 just over a minute later, USMMA responded with four straight goals and six of the next seven to open up a 12-7 lead with just 4:42 remaining. The Panthers scored three quick goals to make it interesting in the closing minutes, but the Mariners held possession for the final two-plus minutes for the victory.

-USMMA Sports Information Contributed to this report