Farmingdale, NY (May 4, 2016) – In a rematch similar to the regular-season showdown between Purchase and Farmingdale State, the second-seeded Rams utilized a strong start to the second half to decide the contest, upending the third-seeded Panthers 17-8 to advance to this weekend's Skyline Conference Championship.

FSC held a 6-5 lead at halftime, but pulled away in the first 10 minutes of the second period, as it had when the two teams met at Purchase earlier in the spring, where the Rams held a one-goal lead at the half (5-4) and turned in a 13-10 final behind a strong showing over the last 30 minutes.

The Rams will now face No. 1 St. Joseph's College-LI in the title game. SJC-LI, the reigning champs, defeated Old Westbury in the other semifinal Wednesday night. That win sets up a conference championship rematch from a year ago. The Golden Eagles topped FSC in the Skyline final in 2015. 

The playoff matchup between Purchase and FSC was delayed at the outset by 30 minutes thanks to thunderstorms in the area.

Despite the delay, the two teams were relatively crisp at the start, fending off soggy conditions while playing through a steady rain for most of the first and part of the second half.

Like they had done in the regular season, the two traded early goals.

FSC's Kristen Keller scored first (22:56) off an assist from Janisha Sanchez, but Panther standout Kelly Turtell (SO/Farmingdale, NY) answered right back off a feed from Samantha Rich (SR/Providence, RI) for the tie (21:58).

The Rams scored (Kristen Ranaldo) to go up 2-1, but Emma Porter (SO/Homer, NY) countered (17:33) to even the score yet again.

That's when Purchase took control.

Turtell, who had an outstanding game at attacker, tallied her second strike of the afternoon. The goal was assisted by Porter.

Moments after on the draw, Turtell fired a line-drive pass to a sprinting Mikaela Connors (SR/Grand Island, NY) for a beautiful finish. Connors' goal gave the visitors a 4-3 advantage (11:53) in the first half.

Trailing 4-3 with 11:09 remaining, FSC (8-9) midfielder Ranaldo scored off a pass from Sanchez to tie the game. Only 1:40 later, a goal on a free-position attempt by Keller gave the Rams a 5-4 lead.

After Ranaldo's third goal of the half put Farmingdale ahead, 6-4, the Panthers (9-4) used a free-position score by Porter to cut the deficit to 6-5 heading into the break.

The Rams opened the second half with four unanswered goals, including two from Keller to extend the advantage to 10-5 with 23:48 left. After a Purchase goal (Porter), FSC responded with four straight scores to go ahead by eight, 14-6. 

Farmingdale outscored the Panthers 3-2 over the final 7:08 en route to the semifinal victory.

Keller tallied a game-high five goals, while Ranaldo added four goals.

Purchase was led by Porter, who had a game-high six points on three goals and three assists. Turtell added three goals.

It was the final game for standout seniors Rich, Nathalie Lavelanet (SR/South Salem, NY), Maria Papp (SR/White Plains, NY), Annette Elson (SR/Las Vegas, NY), Lexie Stodden (SR/Monroe, NY), Kristen Vitale (SR/Thiells, NY) and Connors. Both Rich and Connors had goals in the playoff.

For the second straight spring, Purchase caps its season with a Final Four appearance.

-FSC Sports Information Contributed to this report