PURCHASE, N.Y. - In collegiate athletics, very few things are as bittersweet as Senior Night.

That was certainly the case Friday night, as the Purchase College women's lacrosse team bid farewell to a quartet of seniors, before closing out the 2021 campaign with a 19-9 loss to Maritime College.

Before the game began, the Panthers honored the group of Gabby Castles (Bethpage, NY), Maddy Mecca (Oceanside, NY), Victoria Bongiovanni (Wallkill, NY) and Jade Porter-Fraser (Bronx, NY). Each player had prepared statements read about them and were given gifts by their coaches, Francesca Levine and Rachel Vallarelli.

Photos were also taken with the coaches to commemorate the day. Sadly, the players were unable to be joined by family and friends due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ceremony was streamed for fans to view remotely.

To read the Senior Night sendoffs to the four players, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Following the emotional festivities, the Panthers had to quickly adjust and focus on the Privateers of Maritime. Maritime (5-1 overall, 5-1 Skyline) entered the contest with one of the best offenses in the Skyline this year, so Purchase certainly had its work cutout for itself. 

However, during the opening 20 minutes of the game, the Panthers and the Privateers played a nearly even contest. While the guests scored first, it was Purchase that enjoyed the first run of game.

Over a three-minute stretch early in the opening half, Mecca, Castles and Michelle Gomez (SO/Oceanside, NY) each tallied a strike to put the hosts in front, 3-1. Maritime then responded with a pair of goals to even things up, before Castles added her second of the night, putting Purchase back in front with 13:28 remaining.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the guests' offensive responded in full force as the end of the frame neared. Over the final 12 minutes, Maritime proceeded to outscore Purchase, 8-2, to establish an 11-6 halftime lead.

The two Panther goals over that first-half run came from Castles, who closed out her career with one final hat trick and Madison Fetzer (SO/Happauge, NY), who found the back of the net with two seconds to go in the half.

Once the second half began, the Maritime's offense remained supercharged, opening with four-straight goals and six of the first seven of the frame to cruise to an eventual, 19-9 win. 

Despite the defeat, the senior duo of Castles and Mecca shined as it carried the Purchase offense one final time. Castles finished with a team-high five points (3g, 2a), four ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Mecca recorded four points (3g, 1a) and four draw controls.

As for the Panthers' other two seniors, Bongiovanni tallied a ground ball and Porter-Fraser played all 60 minutes in the finale. 

With the defeat, Purchase finished the COVID-19-shortened 2021 campaign with an 0-6 mark overall and in Skyline play. The team is set to return to the field in March 2022. 

SENIOR NIGHT REMARKS - Delivered by Sports Information Director, Stephanie Santora

This first senior joined the team in 2020 and her teammates and coaches are so happy she did. Coach Levine said that in just a short amount of time, this player has significantly improved her lacrosse skills and we are very proud of her accomplishments.  She is easy going, smart, and one of the most supportive teammates.  She will be very missed next year! Please give it up for senior defender Jade Porter-Fraser. 
 
Our next senior joined the team in 2019. At that time, she was brand new to the sport, but she was a very quick learner!  This player has put a lot of time and effort into learning the game and improving her play—earning her a spot on this year's starting lineup. She has many talents outside of lacrosse as well. A three-sport athlete, competing on the women's swim and volleyball teams…an extremely talented artist, spending a lot of her time in the VA building…and a thoughtful and caring teammate to all.  Her coaches are proud of how far she has come and all of her academic and athletic accomplishments! Please give it up for senior attacker Victoria Bongiovanni. 
 
Our third senior is a four-year member of the program and major contributor since her freshman year.  She has extensive knowledge of the game of lacrosse and is one of our most instinctive players.  She has the ability to see the field really well, helps make the players around her better, and the team can always count on her to make big plays when they need them most. Despite back-to-back shortened seasons due to the pandemic, this player has made a mark in the Panther scorebooks. Heading into tonight's game, she stands at 53 goals, 23 assists, 76 points, 69 ground balls, 27 caused turnovers and 55 draw controls over 30 games. She was named co-captain in 2020 and has served the team very well in this role.  Her coaches and teammates are extremely grateful for all of her contributions to this program and very proud of her accomplishments. It will certainly be difficult to fill her shoes next season.  Please give it up for senior midfielder Maddy Mecca. 
 
Our final senior is also a four-year member of the program who was a significant contributor since her freshman year.  She was an all-conference selection in her freshman and sophomore year and was named co-captain for the 2020 season prior to the pandemic.  She is a person who leads by example. The team can always count on her to attack every challenge with the highest level of effort, whether it is in practice or a game.  This senior has made big strides during her time at Purchase, and all are incredibly proud of the player she has become.  She has also been integral in mentoring our newer players and helping them improve their game. Heading into tonight's matchup this player has an impressive career total of 85 goals, 21 assists, 106 points, 64 ground balls, 32 caused turnovers and 99 draw controls over 30 games.  Her coaches and teammates are so grateful for what she has brought to this team and they will most definitely miss her when she graduates this May. Please give it up for senior midfielder Gabby Castles.  
 
Congratulations to all our seniors!
  
Coach Levine and the team would also like to extend their gratitude to Jasmine Rippey '15 and her mother Sharon for putting together and contributing part of the Senior Day gifts and flowers as well as an end of season gift for each member of the team.  This was an extremely thoughtful and much appreciated gesture and we cannot thank them enough for taking the time to help us honor our players today!