NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team used a goal in each half to take down Colby-Sawyer College, 2-0, in non-conference men's soccer action on a soggy Kelsey Soccer Field on Tuesday afternoon.
It was a day of firsts for the Panthers, who got first career goals from freshman
Ian Maeby (Old Lyme, Conn.) and sophomore
Luke McLaughlin (Topsham, Maine). Maeby struck just eight minutes into the match, while McLaughlin added an insurance goal in the 62nd minute. Freshman goalkeeper
Bryant Amaral (Coventry, R.I.) stood tall in goal as he stopped all five shots he faced to keep Colby-Sawyer off the board.
Plymouth State improves to 2-1-0, while the Chargers go to 1-2-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Colby-Sawyer 0
- Plymouth State (2-1-0)
- Colby-Sawyer (1-2-1)
How it Happened:
- On a rainy afternoon, the host Chargers got the first opportunity when a long ball across the field was corralled by a Charger striker who, after a few dribbles, fired a shot from a tough angle that Amaral saved.
- The Panthers capitalized on their first chance of the afternoon when junior George Bergin (Brentwood, N.H.) flicked a header to sophomore Nick Ferro (Smithfield, R.I.), who fired a shot that was stopped by the Colby-Sawyer keeper. Maeby found the rebound and knocked it home to put Plymouth State in front.
- The Chargers wasted no time attempting to respond, as a minute later, a free kick was sent into the box and one-timed on target, but Amaral made a spectacular save, diving to his left to keep the Panthers in front.
- For the next half hour, the two sides battled for possession and opportunities, with each team putting one shot on target.
- With just a few minutes left in the half, the Chargers got another scoring chance. After possession was won in the midfield, a ball was sent ahead to a Colby-Sawyer striker who took a wicked left-footed shot, but Amaral once again dove and pushed the ball over the crossbar.
- All was quiet for the first 15 minutes of the second half as both teams pushed for the pivotal next goal.
- The Panthers finally found it when Bergin played a through ball to sophomore Cam Bastien (Spaulding, N.H.), who sent a low cross into the box that was deflected by a defender and forced a save from the Colby-Sawyer keeper. McLaughlin pounced on the rebound for his first career goal.
- From there, the Panthers used strong defense to prevent the Chargers from firing another shot, finishing off the shutout win.
By the Numbers:
- The goals from Maeby and McLaughlin were the first of their careers.
- Total shots were dead even at 15 apiece.
- Shots on goal were also even, at five each.
- This is the second straight season the Panthers have beaten the Chargers 2-0.
- Plymouth State had a slight lead in corners, 2-1.
- The Panthers lead the series, 10-5-3, and are 4-1-2 in the last seven meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns home to open Little East Conference play against Rhode Island College on Saturday (Sept. 12) at 1 p.m.
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