SALEM, Mass. - Senior Stephanie Currier scored just 1:07 into sudden death overtime Saturday afternoon to lead Salem State College to a thrilling 3-2 season-opening victory over Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference match at Alumni Field.

In a match that saw three lead changes and a multitude of scoring chances, the Vikings captured their second straight season-opener despite the Panthers holding a commanding 23-11 shot advantage and 14-3 margin in corners taken.

Currier was also involved in the home team's first goal when she set up junior forward Kara Beauregard who evened the match at 39:09 after Plymouth's Amanda Sherburne (Rumney, N.H.) netted an unassisted tally to open the first half scoring at 4:45. Beauregard lifted her scoring strike just under the crossbar from 10 yards out. The score remained tied 1-1 at intermission.

The Vikings took the lead in the second half after senior Kelsey Brooks blasted home a free hit from 20 yards out at 47:46. However, the Panthers clawed back to even the match at 2-2, courtesy of an unassisted scoring strike from sophomore forward Morgan Lemmon (Gilford, N.H.) at 56:25.

Freshman goalkeeper Jessica McKenna turned in a stellar performance for SSC in her first collegiate start, making 18 saves, including 12 in the second half. Senior netminder Katie Randall (Portmouth, N.H.) stopped six shots for the Panthers.

Plymouth State returns to action on Thursday against Lasell College at Arold Field (4:00 p.m.)

(Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information)

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