PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College women's lacrosse team was defeated in a Senior Night thriller Friday evening, as the squad nearly rallied to best SUNY Old Westbury, before ultimately falling, 8-7.

The contest had it all - a thrilling ceremony to start the night, great back and forth action, a vibrant crowd cheering all game, and a fantastic finish.

Unfortunately, the Blue and Orange couldn't conclude the night on the highest note possible, as an Old Westbury goal with just 30 seconds to go sunk the chance.

In the end, the hosts left the field with their heads held high, as they closed the 2024 campaign with one of their best efforts.

Before the contest even began, the squad was in high spirits, as the game sent off a quartet of seniors, who are set to graduate next month.

Among the honored were: Elaina Coppola (White Plains, NY) Alyssa Kozak (East Meadow, NY), Alison Salinas (West Hempstead, NY) and Hayley Peck (Levittown, NY). All four seniors were presented gifts and had photos taken with friends, family and teammates pregame, as a speech prepared by head coach Jasmine Sitti was read aloud.

Following the ceremony, the four players and the rest of the squad shifted over to the task at hand ... SUNY Old Westbury.

However, a slow start harmed Purchase, as it fell behind, 3-0, after 15 minutes.

Once the action moved to the second though, the Panthers exploded by outscoring the guests, 4-1, in the period to be tied at halftime.

After the break, it was the Panthers of Old Westbury that answered with a vengeance this time around, as they scored three in a row over the third quarter and early in the fourth.

But the Blue and Orange wouldn't go away.

Instead, they responded with three-straight of their own, tying the contest at 7-all with just over three minutes to play.

With the momentum, and a yellow card giving Purchase an edge late, it seemed destined for the hosts to claim victory.

Sadly, the Panthers just couldn't find the back of the net again, before a foul close to their goal allowed the guests to score on a free-position chance with just 30 seconds remaining.

From there, Old Westbury won the draw and held the ball to the final horn.

On the night, Kozak paced Purchase with three goals, seven ground balls, seven draw controls and two caused turnovers.

Among the other seniors: Coppola collected a goal, an assist, seven ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Salinas tallied three ground balls, a draw control and a caused turnover.

As for Peck, she did not record a stat as she was injury midway through and did not return.

Other notable players on the night included: Julieth Velasquez (SO/White Plains, NY), who added three points (2g, 1a) and Catie Chios (FY/Westbury, NY), who added a goal.

In goal, Amani Jamal (JR/Hopewell Junction, NY) finished with 16 saves and four ground balls.

With the result, the Panthers concluded the year 1-13 overall and 0-8 in the Skyline Conference. For Old Westbury, they finished 2-10 and 1-7, respectively.

The women's lacrosse team will return to action in March 2025 for the new season.