PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Junior Sammi Romano (Kingston, N.H.) scored three goals Thursday afternoon to lead Plymouth State University to a 4-0 victory over Framingham State College in a Little East Conference field hockey game at Arold Field.

            It was the first career hat trick for Romano (right), who is in her first season with the Panthers.  She helped PSU improve to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in LEC action, while the Rams drop to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

            Sophomore Kristina Conroy (Wakefield, Mass.) put the Panthers on the board midway through the first half when she deflected home a crossing pass from the left side by senior Ashley Gutowski (Conway, N.H.).  Romano knocked in her first of the game with just 2:11 to play to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the break.

            Romano added two more goals in the second half, with both being assisted by sophomore Betsy Renauld (Penacook, N.H.).  The first came less than three minutes in, and the final goal was scored with about 18 minutes remaining.

            PSU finished with a 10-6 advantage shots.  The Panther defense limited the quality of Framingham's shots as neither PSU goalie was needed to make a save.

            The Panthers are home again on Saturday with a Little East match-up against Eastern Connecticut at Arold Field (12:30 p.m.)  Framingham State visits Fitchburg State for an LEC meeting Saturday at 12 noon.

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