The Ravens Let the Panthers Pull Away Early

Recap by student-staff writer Ryan Fitzpatrick

KEENE, N.H. (3/8/2025) – Franklin Pierce women's lacrosse have a strong start to their matchup against Adelphi, but the Panthers took control of the game after dominating possession time.

Score: Adelphi 20, Franklin Pierce 5
Records: Adelphi 3-2 (1-0, NE10), Franklin Pierce 1-3 (0-2, NE10)
Location: Owl Athletic Complex, Keene, N.H.
Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2025

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Panthers and Ravens get right down to business as Marielle Colalillo nails a goal within the first minute. Though, just seconds later Erin McIlroy (Newfields, N.H.) received a pass from Hayley Hermsdorf (Center Moriches, N.Y.) and scores to get the Ravens even. A minute later, Ashley Kolomechuk nails her first of many goals to get the Panthers back on top. Right after that, the Ravens win the draw and McIlroy charges towards the net to find Hermsdorf and ties the game back up at 2.
• Following the game tying goal, the head coach of the Panthers, Pat McCabe called a timeout. During that break, he had a very animated talk with his team, trying to get them back on track, knowing that they could do so much better.
• After the break, Colalillo hits her second goal after a pass from Rita Sefransky to get the Panthers back on track. Kolomechuk follows that goal with one of her own almost a minute later.
• Despite another goal from Hermsdorf to get the game within 1, the Panthers start to take complete control of the game. The first period was in its final minutes, and Kolomechuk, Payson Hedges, and Sefransky scored out to a comfortable 7-3 lead. Then, right before the period ends, the Panther have a man-up and Kolmechuk takes advantage of it, scoring her fourth goal of the first quarter.
• The second period was all about the Panthers, as their draw control dominated the Ravens, maintaining lots of possession time. The Panthers go on to score 9 more times before the half end, barely allowing the Ravens to touch the ball. The Ravens were able to get the ball loose defensively, but the Panthers aggressively kept taking the ground balls to avoid many turnovers.
• With a quiet third period, including multiple shot clock violations on the Panthers, the fourth period provided some life for the Ravens. Morgan Groppi (Stoughton, Mass.) whiffs through Panther defenders to score her first collegiate goal to start the period! This had the crowd and sideline erupt with cheer as the big moment was shortly followed by another milestone for Cece Keller (Biddeford, Maine) as she scored her first collegiate goal.
• Despite those late efforts by the Ravens, the second period damage was too much to overcome, as the Panthers beat the Ravens 20-5.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• The Ravens were outshot by the Panthers 26-19.
• The Panthers used all 3 of their goalies in the win, tallying 11 total saves apposed to the Ravens 0.
• Kolemechuk led the Panthers, going 7-7 with shots-goals.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens travel over to D'Youville next Sunday, March 16th, to begin a 3-game road trip. The opening draw is slated for 11 AM.