Panthers defeated in OT after second-half comeback 

            NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Senior Kellie Ann Finn (Falmouth, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal 7:22 into overtime Saturday afternoon as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth defeated visiting Plymouth State University, 3-2, in a Little East Conference field hockey match at Cressy Field.

            PSU overcame a 2-0 deficit with two goals in a six-minute span late in the second half, but the Corsairs, the LEC pre-season favorite, held on down the stretch and then won it in overtime.  Plymouth State is now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while UMD improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the LEC.

            The first half of the contest featured back-and-forth play with limited scoring opportunities. As the clock expired for halftime, the Corsairs were awarded a penalty corner as the final play of the half.  Sophomore Taryn Cardiel (Moorpark, Calif.) received the corner and delivered a touch pass to sophomore Eleanor Taylor (Fairhaven, Mass.), who knocked the ball in, giving the Corsairs a 1-0 advantage at the break.

            UMass Dartmouth increased its lead over the Panthers 10 minutes into the second half. Senior Stephanie Kinchla (Falmouth, Mass.) received a penalty corner and passed to an open Cardiel at the point, who whistled a shot past the Panther keeper to make it 2-0.

            Plymouth State broke up the shutout attempt when senior Kristina Conroy (Wakefield, Mass.) scored an unassisted goal at the 54:41 mark, cutting the margin to 2-1. PSU evened the score six minutes later when junior Christina Parisi (Hampton Falls, N.H.) dished a pass to sophomore Olivia Colborn (Lancaster, N.H.), who snuck a shot past the goalie in a crowded crease to tie the score and force an overtime period.

            The Corsairs had an early chance to win the game in overtime. Finn fired a shot on goal, which was denied by PSU sophomore goalkeeper Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.), but sophomore Erica Allan (Amherst, Mass.) knocked a rebound attempt back at the goal, but Lemelin made a terrific diving save, preserving the tie score.  UMD finally decided the outcome with at the 7:22 mark of overtime, as junior Mallie Lynch-Gilbert (Petersham, Mass.) drove to the Panther goal, sent a pass to Finn, who was streaking down the left side of the goal, and Finn gathered the pass and pushed a shot past Lemelin, securing the 3-2 victory.

            UMass Dartmouth out shot Plymouth State, 19-17. Freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Gallo (East Greenwich, R.I.) made 13 saves for the Corsairs, while Lemelin finished with 11 for the Panthers.

            UMass Dartmouth returns to action Sunday with a visit to Wesleyan. PSU travels to New England College on Tuesday. 

(Courtesy of UMass Dartmouth Sports Information) 

-- 30 –-