Purchase, NY (Oct. 21, 2017) – Two cornerstones of the Purchase College women's soccer program were honored in a pregame ceremony today, as the Panthers celebrated standouts Emma Porter and Nina Brennan on Senior Day.

And it was a Senior Day to never forget, not only for the ceremony, but for the game that followed.

Teammate Brett Robison (SO/Franklin Square, NY) made sure that Porter (SR/Homer, NY) and Brennan (SR/Staten Island, NY) got the proper sendoff in their final home game. The midfielder delivered the game-tying goal late in the second half and then the game-winning goal even later.  

SJC-BKLYN scored in the 21^st minute (Deserae Sequeira; 22^nd goal of the season) and then held off Purchase for the rest of the first half. But Robison, perhaps providing some foreshadowing of more to come, hit the crossbar early in the second period.

She then connected with Porter in the 76^th minute to knot the game at 1-all. The loose ball, shot from the top six, was assisted by Porter and evened the score. For Robison, it was her third goal of the season.

Thankfully, she wasn't done for the afternoon.

Robison's fourth goal was even better. It came in the 88^th minute as she reconnected with Porter – this time on a hard shot from the top left six. The heroic strike provided to the difference. Purchase's defense held on over the final three minutes to seal a dramatic 2-1 final.

In between, Panther keeper Amber Yarter (SO/Albany, NY) made a brilliant save down the stretch to preserve the 1-1 tie and allow Robison to find the game-winning goal in the final three minutes.

The outcome put the perfect finishing touches on a memorable Senior Day.

Surrounded by friends and family at midfield, quad-captains Porter and Brennan were celebrated with tokens of appreciation, including certificates from the Sports Information office and framed memorabilia from the Purchase coaching staff. The two seniors will also be recognized during the program's annual awards banquet in April.

The brief ceremonies prior to the 2-1 Purchase victory were MCed by SID Bobby Ciafardini, who delivered some words of appreciation that were penned by first-year head coach Breena Salwocki.  

Porter was introduced first.

"Emma has been a dominate force for us in the center of the field," Ciafardini announced. "Her ability to lead by example has resonated throughout this team and helped develop a sound foundation for this program. Her outstanding knowledge of the game is evident throughout every play. She has impacted this team more than she will ever know, and will be very a difficult player to replace."

Porter was joined on the field by family members Ed and Gretchen Porter, and Olivia Porter (pictured).

This season, Porter has three goals and three assists. Last season, the two-year Purchase starter, who transferred to the college and also played lacrosse, totaled three goals and three assists. Porter has garnered both athletic and academic awards for her success in the classroom and on the field.

Brennan, the team's tenacious defender and four-year stalwart, followed. She has previously garnered All-Skyline honors for her defense, while enjoying one of the best careers of any women's soccer player in program history.  

"Nina truly stepped up and become a vital player to the back line," Salwocki wrote in her speech for Ciafardini. "Being unfamiliar with the position had no effect on her type of play. She is a fearless player, who never backs down. Her passion for the game is undeniable. Nina goes above and beyond to be both a better player and person. She is undoubtedly an irreplaceable player."    

Brennan was joined on the field by family members Kenneth and Yvonne Brennan, and Fernando Salazar (pictured).