PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's lacrosse team scored the final four goals Wednesday evening, to surge past Mitchell College late, 13-11, in a non-conference matchup.

The win moved the Panthers to 3-2 overall, while the Mariners of Mitchell dropped to 1-6.

Despite fridge temperatures at the start of the night, and throughout the contest, neither team began slow. Ben Erkan (SO/Bellport, NY) and Dylan Gethicker (SR/Lime Lake, NY) each scored a goal to put Purchase in front early, before Mitchell scored three straight. After a strike from Isaac Aguero (SR/Bronx, NY) tied the contest at 3-3, a man-up goal from Kyle Marsh (SR/Oakdale, CT) put the guests ahead after one quarter played.

Reigning Skyline Player of the Week, Dan Ohrem (JR/Ridgefield, CT), converted a shot, knotting things at 4-4, but Mitchell wouldn't yield the lead. The Mariners responded with three of the next four goals to take a 7-5 advantage with three minutes to go in the first half. A late strike from Zach Zarrella (SO/Leominster, MA) got the Panthers within one goal, as they trailed at the halftime break.

In the second half, things continued to hold in Mitchell's favor. Over the third quarter, the two sides traded goals, as the Mariners entered the final 15 minutes up, 10-9.

A man-up strike midway through the fourth seemed to give Mitchell all it needed to hold on for the win, but the Panthers weren't going down without a fight. Just 54 seconds later, Erkin converted to cut the lead to 11-10 with seven minutes to go. With three and a half minutes remaining, Purchase again found the back of goal, as Zarrella tied the game on a feed from Ohrem.

Less than a minute later, the Panthers grabbed their first lead since early in the first quarter, as Gethicker scored while cutting toward goal on a pass from Aguero. Over the final two minutes, Mitchell pressed hard for an equalizer, but left itself exposed defensively. The hosts were able to take advantage, as Gethicker iced the game with his fifth goal of the contest, as Purchase held on for the 13-11 victory.

Across the board, the game was even throughout. Shots on goal, saves, successful clears and face offs were nearly identical between the squads, while Purchase enjoyed a slight edge in ground balls, 26-19. Mitchell finished with three successful extra man opportunities, but Purchase struggled in the category, going 0-for-6. 

However, the Panthers didn't need extra men to fuel their offense, with Gethicker back in the lineup. The senior returned for his first action of the season Wednesday and made an instant impact with five goals, four assists and six ground balls. 

Purchase also got great games from Zarrella (3g), Aguero (2g, 2a), Erkin (2g) and Ohrem (1g, 2a). 

For Mitchell, Marsh led the way with five goals and two assists. Jade Shields (SO/Hempstead, NY) added four goals and an assist.

Up next for the Panthers is a road non-conference matchup, as they travel to Delaware to take on Wesley College on March 23rd. That game is set for 11 a.m. and you can follow it here.