PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College women's lacrosse team bid farewell to seven seniors Wednesday evening, as the squad celebrated Senior Night against the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

The final score was 17-3 in favor of the guests, but the result was secondary to the celebration that proceeded it. 

The seven players recognized were: Michelle Gomez (Oceanside, NY), Alexa Caleo (Eastchester, NY), Leah Dwyer (Glen Cove, NY), Taylor Marsico (Rye Brook, NY), Brienne Westfall (Grand Island, NY), Madison Buttice (Bethpage, NY) and Casandra Schmoger (Islip, NY). 

All seven players celebrated pregame on the field with family, friends and teammates, as gifts were exchanged and photos were taken.

Each player was also honored with words from the coaching staff during the ceremony. To see the full Senior Night transcript, scroll to the bottom.

Once the emotion and celebration of the pregame activities came to a close, the Panthers quickly changed their focus to the task at hand - the Mariners of the Merchant Marine Academy.

In the opening half, the guests scored the first eight goals of the contest, before Alyssa Kozak (JR/East Meadow, NY) broke the streak in the second quarter with goal from Gomez.

At halftime, the Panthers trailed 11-1. Following the break, the Mariners scored five straight, before back-to-back goals from the Blue and Orange stopped the run.

Kozak scored the first one early in the fourth quarter, before Westfall closed out her home career with a strike with just over three minutes remaining.

Individually, Kozak added four draw controls and three ground balls, while first-year Julieth Velasquez (White Plains, NY) lead the team in ground balls with seven.

Westfall collected two draw controls and Gomez added one assist, one draw control and two ground balls in the effort.

In goal, Schmoger tied her career-high in saves with 22, the third time this season she hit that mark. She also tallied four ground balls and caused a turnover.

As for the rest of the senior class, Dwyer finished with a caused turnover and Caleo grabbed a ground ball.

Marsico had a turnover, while Buttice was unable to play due to injury. She did participate in a ceremonial draw control to begin the game though.

The Panthers have one final game on the 2023 schedule, as they closeout the season this weekend at Mount Saint Vincent. That game is set for noon on April 29.


Senior Night Script:
 

Before tonight's game, the Purchase College women's lacrosse team would like to take a few moments to honor it's seven graduating seniors here on Senior Night.

Up first is #2 Michelle Gomez. Michelle is joined by her mom Angela, dad Vic and sister Julia.

A two-sport midfielder from Oceanside, NY, Gomez is finishing up her final year as a pre-med biology major. She prides herself on being a fast runner and being adaptable to any game situation. Michelle's crowning achievement was scoring a hat trick earlier this season during a win over Centenary University. 

For her career, Gomez has started all 16 games she has appeared in, recording 10 goals, five assists, 24 ground balls, 12 draw controls, and five caused turnovers.

What her teammates say about her - Quote "Michelle always stays positive no matter the situation and goes out of her way to make everyone feel included." End Quote

What her coaches say - Quote "She has been balancing lacrosse and passing her MCATS this season and we couldn't be more proud of her. She never used her school work as an excuse and has pushed through several injuries throughout her career to make it to this day. Her positive attitude and love for her teammates has been noted by every single person on this team. We'll be cheering her on as she heads of to med school." End Quote.

Please put your hands together for #2 Michelle Gomez.

Next, #3 Alexa Caleo! Lexi is joined by her boyfriend Zach and friend Sydnee.

Caleo will become the first female grandchild in her family to graduate from college next month. Lexi is proud to have kept her promise and completed her education after the loss of her mother. Upon completing her Theatre and Performance degree, Caleo will be heading over to the Ridgefield Theater Barn to work on a production as stage manager, beginning this June.  

In her lone season with the Panthers, Lexi has appeared in nine games, starting six times and has totaled eight ground balls, one draw control and one shot on goal.

What her teammates say about her -  Quote "Lexi is truly dedicated to lacrosse. She's always the first one at practice and she's always hitting the wall in her spare time." End Quote

What her coaches say - Quote "Lexi is always at practice and is always willing to put in the work. She never complains while she is on the field and will go and do whatever is necessary for the success of the team." End Quote

Please put your hands together for #3 Alexa Caleo!

Next, #12 Leah Dwyer! Leah is joined tonight by her mom Leslie and dad Sean.

Dwyer has been a strong low defender for the past four years for the women's lacrosse team. She is a strong communicator, a huge supporter of her teammates and will be graduating with a degree in Journalism and Communications. 

For her career, Leah has started all 23 games she played in, tallying 26 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers, one draw control and one assist.

What her teammates say about her - Quote "Leah always goes out of her way to explain and go over something we don't understand with unwavering patience and she always has a positive attitude" End Quote.

What her coaches say "Leah is the backbone of the defense. She gives confidence to our goalies and our new players on the field. She's always ready to listen and offer advice whenever necessary. She has never once stepped down from a challenge no matter how nervous she claimed to be and she has proved time and time again that the team comes first. We're proud to have had her support and leadership over these past four years." 

Please put your hands together for #12 Leah Dwyer!

Next, #21 Taylor Marsico! Taylor is joined tonight by her father, Jim.

This two-sport senior joined the women's lacrosse team as a walk on last year, after never having picked up a stick before. Following the season, she was named to the Skyline Conference All-Sportsmanship Team for her respect of the game and her teammates. This year, Marsico is set to graduate with a degree in Psychology and a 3.7 gpa, before heading off to grad school.

In two seasons, Taylor has appeared in 14 games, starting nine times and has recorded five ground balls, two caused turnovers and one shot on goal.

Here's what her teammates say about her - Quote "Taylor's jokes always make at least three people laugh every practice. She also makes everyone feel included and that they're an important part of the team" End Quote

As for her coaches, they say - Quote "Taylor's positivity and humor never fail to impress. She has grown tremendously as a player and is a role model for what it means to be a good teammate. She has become fearless on the field and her shrieks to goal during practice are now legendary. She always looks to improve and to do better not just for herself but for the success of her team." 

Please put your hands together for #21 Taylor Marsico!

Next, #23 Brienne Westfall! Brienne is joined tonight by her mom, Colleen.

A senior attacker and two-sport athlete, Westfall is set to finish next month with a double major in Journalism and History with an overall 3.9 gpa. In the fall, Brienne will continue working towards her graduate degree in social studies and inclusive education at SUNY Brockport, where she also plans to continue her athletic career. 

As for her time with the Panthers, Westfall started all 23 games she played in. She totaled 15 goals, including the game winner against Cedar Crest earlier this season, 15 assists, 19 ground balls, nine draw controls and six caused turnovers.

Her teammates think of her as a jack of all trades and a master of all. 

As for her coaches, they recognize her dedication to the sport and her teammates. 

Please put your hands together for #21 Brienne Westfall!

Next, #24 Madison Buttice! Maddy is joined tonight by her mom, Carole Ann.

A dominant player from Bethpage, NY, Buttice has been a strong leader for the team as a two-time captain. Due to injuries, she has been unable to play as a senior but that didn't stop her from coming to every practice and supporting in any way she could. 

Although Buttice played in just nine games over her four years, she's made a huge impact on and off the field. Her most memorable moments came last year against Mitchell College, where she scored six goals, and against Maritime, where she scored four times. 

Maddy will be graduating with a degree in Psychology and a certificate in Early Childhood Development. During her time at Purchase, she's enjoyed working at the Children's Center on campus, for the athletics department and is well known for singing the national anthem before games. Buttice will be attending grad school back on Long Island in hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher one day.

During her career, she has recorded 18 goals, four assists, 44 draw controls, 35 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers.

Her teammates say that, Quote "We never thought someone could have such a presence on the field without being able to play but she did. And she was out there with us every single game." 

As for her coaches, they said Quote "There is nothing more difficult than staying on a team and cheering them on every step of the way when you know you're unable to step on the field and join them. Buttice has been this team's pillar of strength and her love for the team is undeniable and irreplaceable. We can't thank her enough for being on the sidelines and in the locker room before and after every single practice and game, cheering for and encouraging her team."

Everyone please put your hands together for #24 Maddy Buttice!

And finally, our last senior of the night, #31 Casandra Schmoger! Cas is joined tonight by her mom Christine dad Carl, sister Crystal, sister in law Christina and dog, Chi Chi.

A four-year starter in goal, a two-time captain, and currently sitting number two in saves per game in the skyline conference and number three in saves percentage, Schmoger is set to finish off a memorable career with the Panthers.

In 2023 alone, she has tied her career-high with 22 saves twice, recorded the second, third and fourth most saves in a game this season among all Skyline Conference goalies, with only her teammate Amani Jamal besting her mark, and is finishing up her degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.

After graduation, Cas will be heading off to grad school with the goal of becoming a PA. 

For her career, she started all 27 games she appeared in, compiling 353 saves, a .492 save percentage, 70 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers.

Her teammates say that quote "Cas is an amazing leader and goalie. No matter how many times we let her get shot on, she keeps her head up and supports the team throughout the whole game" End quote.

As for her coaches, they say - Quote "Cas has the loudest voice and biggest presence on the field. She is a strong and effective leader and it will be hard to fill in the gap she's leaving behind. We're proud she was on our side of the field these past four years"  

Everyone please put your hands together for #31 Casandra Schmoger!

Congrats to all seven seniors on wonderful careers and enjoy this night!