BOX SCORE

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Michelle Ceraso (Massapequa Park, NY) totaled seven goals and an assist to lead No. 4 Adelphi University to an 18-9 win over Southern New Hampshire University in women's lacrosse Saturday at Larkin Field.  The game was the season opener for both schools.

Ceraso, a freshman playing in her first collegiate game, had five of her goals in the second half, when the Panthers outscored the Penmen 12-5.  Rachel Ray (Rocky Point, NY) had two goals and five assists for Adelphi, while Megan Metelenis (Howard Beach, NY) notched two goals and an assist.  Kaitlyn Carter (Mineola, NY) and Holly Burke (Churchville, MD) each had two goals for Adelphi.

Freshman Sherry Darrell (Bow, NH) led Southern New Hampshire with two goals and two assists, while Lucretia Joy (Portland, ME) notched two goals and an assist.  Jennifer Parro (Ipswich, MA) added two goals while Libby Parent (Hinesburg, VT) registered a goal and two assists.

SNHU trailed 6-4 at halftime and pulled to within 8-7 5:41 into the second half on a goal by Joy, with Darrell assisting.  Adelphi then scored six unanswered goals to take a 14-7 lead with 12:11 remaining on a goal by Nicole Lieberman (Wading River, NY).  Nicole Downey (Rutland, VT) scored for the Penmen with 9:41 left but the Panthers scored the next four goals to take a 18-8 lead on Danielle Kafarski's (Port Jefferson Station, NY) goal with just under a minute to play.

The Penmen took a 1-0 lead 1:11 into the game on an unassisted goal by Darrell, but the Panthers scored the next five goals to take a 5-1 lead with 9:55 left in the first half on a Burke tally.  Southern New Hampshire chipped away at the lead, and a goal on a free position shot by Parro with 1:48 before intermission made it 6-4, which would be the halftime score.

Caitlin Fitzpatrick (Port Washington, NY) made 14 saves for Adelphi en route to the victory.  Katie Clark (Norwich, CT) made nine saves for Southern New Hampshire.  The Panthers outshot the Penmen 35-27.

Southern New Hampshire returns to action next Saturday when it is scheduled to open Northeast-10 play at Assumption College.  Game time is set for noon.