Purchase, NY (March 10, 2018) – On a day when the real feel was a blistering 25 degrees at Purchase, the women's lacrosse team started hot and blazed visiting Wilkes University to the tune of a 14-7 final.

The Panthers, playing in their season and home opener Saturday, hung 10 first-half goals on their opponent.

Purchase led 10-3 at the break, and then utilized the second half to play its entire roster in a comfortable non-conference win – the first on the sidelines for head coach Francesca Levine in two seasons, since returning from maternity leave.

Tri-captain Zoe Hines (SR/Maplewood, NJ) scored a game-high five goals and starred with rookie Gabriella Castles (FR/Bethpage, NY). Castles netted four goals on the day in a breakout performance.

Fellow newcomer Maddy Mecca (FR/Oceanside, NY) contributed two goals, while Madi Smith (SR/Lagrangeville, NY), Astrella Dacosta (SO/Croton-on-Hudson, NY) and Kelly Turtell (SR/Farmingdale, NY) all recorded one apiece.   
 
The women's program hosted Wilkes a day after the initial matchup was postponed due to the recent winter storm, which also canceled the team's opener with Centenary Wednesday night. With the field surrounded in snow, the team played the first game of a lacrosse doubleheader, with the men's team playing afterward.   

Levine had plenty of reasons to smile in her return to the sidelines. Hines looked in All-Skyline form in the opener, finishing with a game-high seven points. Newcomers Castles and Mecca also looked sharp, registering five points each. Castles added an assist, while Mecca, who also scored her first goal, handed out a team-best three assists.

Dacosta spearheaded the defensive effort with nine caused turnovers. She also led the way with 10 ground balls.

Purchase's Allyson Wong (SR/Staten Island, NY) and Gabrielle Sharman (FR/Johns Creek, GA) split time in goal and combined for 10 saves. Wong earned the win.  

In defeat, Wilkes was paced offensively by Ashley Burkhardt and her three goals.