Seniors, Alums Help ‘Perfect’ Panthers Reel in Win No. 7

Joined by their coaches, Purchase recognized six seniors: (L-r) Virginia Redlon,

Allyson Wong, Alex Lally, Madi Smith,

Kelly Turtell and Zoe Hines.

Purchase, NY (April 7, 2018) – Purchase women's lacrosse is putting together a magical season.

Today, the Panthers tied the young program's mark for victories to open the spring. Purchase soundly defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 14-8, rolling to 7-0 on Senior Day and Alumni Appreciation Day. The win streak ties the program record, held by the 2015 team. Women's lacrosse at Purchase has been in existence as a full varsity sport since 2013.

The Panthers entered the day with some gaudy stats and celebrated six of the program's seniors in another victory, not to mention five other key student-athletes from the club's recent success. As of the start of this week, Purchase's scoring offense is ranked No. 5 nationally. The Panthers came into today scoring an average of 18 goals per game. Senior tri-captain Zoe Hines (SR/Maplewood, NJ), who was honored with five others in a memorable Senior Day, is third in the country for all of DIII with 6.20 goals scored per game.

After falling behind 1-0, Purchase and Rutgers-Camden were knotted at 1-1 and later 3-3 and 4-4 before the Panthers started to separate themselves. That offense could not be contained in the non-conference win, pounding out 14 more goals, including a combined nine from senior stars Kelly Turtell (SR/Farmingdale, NY), Hines and Madi Smith (SR/Lagrangeville, NY). Turtell scored four goals, Hines followed with three more, and Smith chipped in two of her own. Gabriella Castles (FR/Bethpage, NY) and Astrella Dacosta (SO/Croton-on-Hudson, NY) also scored twice, while Maddy Mecca (FR/Oceanside, NY) added one goal on the afternoon.

The Scarlet Raptors (2-4) were led by Natalie DiCarlo, who scored the game's first goal, and finished the day with five of the team's eight.

Senior Allyson Wong (SR/Staten Island, NY) finished with 10 saves in goal. She is now a perfect 5-0 between the pipes.  

The banner afternoon started with pregame festivities to honor seniors Turtell, Hines, Wong, Smith, Alex Lally (SR/Sunnyvale, TX) and Virginia Redlon (SR/Carmel, NY). Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini MCed the brief festivities, which included some kind words from head coach Francesca Levine (pictured above with assistants Lindsey Luposello (far left) and Stephanie Brown). 

"Alex Lally is a jack of all trades.  A design tech major who has already lined up her first job out of college, she is a volleyball player and team captain, a swimmer, and a lacrosse player … not to mention our senior speaker at commencement. Battling back from an injury she was always determined to improve her lacrosse skills and she has done a wonderful job adapting to this game. She is always eager to learn and a pleasure to coach," announced Ciafardini from Levine's speech.

Lally was accompanied by her boyfriend and former Purchase two-sport standout Riley Damerell.

Next up came Wong.

"Allyson has shown tremendous resilience and stability as our goalkeeper. She is a great communicator out on the field for our defense and very patient, two key characteristics for her position.  It is not an easy job, but she accepts the challenge and always works hard no matter what. We will miss her very much next season." 

Wong was joined on the field by her head coach.

Smith followed Wong.

"Madi is a very observant player with the ability to pick out key details on our opponents. She is also very versatile with experience on attack, midfield, and defense. She enters today's game with career totals of 50 goals, eight assists, 35 ground balls and 34 draw controls."

Smith was accompanied by her mom, Maribeth, dad, Evan, and sister, Kim.

Redlon, a tri-captain, along with Turtell and Hines rounded out the ceremony.

"Gin is a team captain with incredible compassion for her teammates. She is a selfless player with a strong work ethic. We are fortunate to have someone as dependable as her on this team. She has been a steady defensive force since her freshman year and we are very proud of how far she has come since then."

Redlon was joined by her mom, Joan, her dad, Rick, and her cousin, Trish.

"Kelly, a team captain and one of our smartest players, has made quite the mark on this program. She has helped set a high standard that will be tough to match. Kelly has earned many honors during her time here, an all-conference player and record-setter with a season-high 41 assists in 2016.  She enters today's game with career totals of 117 goals, 103 assists, 111 ground balls and 81 draw controls."

Turtell was joined by her mom, Jackie, sister, Tara, brother, Patrick, and aunt, Gloria.

"And last but certainly not least … Zoe, a team captain who has enjoyed an outstanding lacrosse career as a Purchase College Panther. She has helped to elevate this program to new levels and is such a threat on both sides of the ball.  Zoe is an all-conference player who holds the program record with a season-high 57 goals in 2015, and is the 2015 Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year.  She enters today's game with career totals of 173 goals, 64 assists, 89 ground balls, and 112 draw controls."

Hines was joined by her mom, Wanda, and her dad, "Jonesy."

Purchase led 7-5 at halftime and got a nice lift from the alumni in attendance. On hand were: Alyssa Rosado, Hannah Harris, Nathalie Lavelanet, Emma Porter and Samantha Rich

Levine also had a message for her alumni.

"We are proud of our alumni and happy to have them back on campus for today's event. You are all very important pieces in the building of our program and our Panther lacrosse family. You are forever Panthers. Thank you. Welcome home."

Purchase then outscored Rutgers-Camden 7-3 in the second half to seal its seventh straight victory. Turtell finished with a game-best seven points, adding three assists to her four goals.

The Panthers will look to make it an historic eight straight when they hit the road on April 10 to face St. Joseph's College-LI.