Panthers suffer first loss of season

            FITCHBURG, Mass. – Senior Amanda Burns registered a game-high five points Tuesday afternoon to lead the Fitchburg State University women's lacrosse team to an 8-7 victory over Plymouth State University in non-conference action at Elliott Field.

            The victory marks the Falcons first program victory over the Panthers as Fitchburg State improves to 3-0 on the young season.  Plymouth State drops to 2-1 on the year.

            Trailing by one with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest, Fitchburg State struck for three unanswered goals to post an 8-6 advantage with just 1:03 on the clock. Junior Carissa Kennedy ignited the Falcon comeback with a free position marker to knot the score at 6-6, before classmate Kelly Finamore and sophomore Cassandra Benoit notched back-to-back scores with a player advantage for an 8-6 lead.

            Plymouth State battled down to the wire, scoring with 0:28 remaining in the game on a Jenn Foley (Tewksbury, Mass.) goal, but Fitchburg State won the ensuing draw control to secure its third victory of the season.

            Burns was strong offensively for Fitchburg State, posting a game-best five points with four goals and one assist, while senior Connie Perry added one tally, three ground balls and one draw control.  Foley and sophomore Caitlin Swanson (Holderness, N.H./Plymouth Regional) paced the Panthers with three goals apiece, while freshman Emily Buckle (Danbury, Conn.) added three points with one goal and two assists.

            Fitchburg State controlled much of the offensive tempo, holding a 26-9 advantage in shots, but Plymouth State goaltender Lorin Field (Hollis, N.H./Hollis-Brookline) was strong between the pipes, turning away 12 shots on the afternoon. 

            Fitchburg State will be back in action on Thursday as it travels to Nichols College at 7 p.m. Plymouth State will visit Springfield College on Thursday at 6 p.m. 

(Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information)

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