Messler scores game-winner for Panthers

            NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Freshman Carol Messler (Durham, N.H.) scored the game-winning goal midway through the second half Friday night and visiting Plymouth State University held on for the final 15 minutes to defeat the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 8-7, in a Little East Conference women's lacrosse game at Cressy Field.

            The upset-minded Corsairs gave the Panthers all they could handle.  There were six tie scores, and neither team had more than a one-goal lead over the final 50 minutes of the game.  The score was tied 7-7 with 21:12 remaining in the second half, and Messler scored her third goal of the season, unassisted with 14:50 on the clock to break the deadlock in what would end up as the game-winner.

            Freshman goalie Lorin Field (Hollis, N.H.) made 14 stops to earn the victory for Plymouth State, which won its third game in a row to improve to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in Little East play. UMD dropped to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the LEC.

            Senior Kathryn Rogers (Wolfeboro, N.H.) led all scorers with four goals and one assist for PSU, while sophomore Caitlin Swanson (Holderness, N.H.) added two goals.  Sophomore Denise Gates (Feeding Hills, Mass.), junior Allison O'Rourke (Weymouth, Mass.) and senior Samantha Wonson (Lowell, Mass.) tallied two goals apiece for UMD.

            PSU took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Rogers and sophomore Amanda Richardson (Bradford, N.H.). UMass Dartmouth battled back, and O'Rourke's second goal of the first half with 1:03 remaining gave the Corsairs a 5-4 lead at halftime.

            UMD came from behind to tie the game twice in the second half, getting a free-position goal from Wonson to tie the score at 6-6, and a goal from Gates with 21:12 to play to knot the game at 7-7.

            Both teams had opportunities to score in the final 15 minutes but neither team was able to break through.  The Corsairs outshot the Panthers for the game, 25-22. Sophomore Angelina Donovan (Medford, Mass.) made seven saves for UMD.

            PSU will be back in action Sunday with a non-conference game against Thomas College, which will be played at 4:00 p.m. at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  UMass Dartmouth hosts Framingham State next Tuesday. 

 (Courtesy of UMass Dartmouth Sports Information)

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