Own goal sets back Panthers 

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Nichols College capitalized on an own goal late in the first half Saturday afternoon to defeat Plymouth State University, 1-0, in the men's soccer season opener at Panther Field.

            A Bison diagonal cross into the PSU goal area with four minutes remaining in the first half deflected off the goalkeeper and a Panther defender and trickled into the left-hand corner of the goal.  That stood as the only score of the game as Nichols improved to 2-0-0 this season and PSU dropped to 0-1-0.

            Nichols had a 7-2 advantage in shots in the opening half, and took the one-goal lead into the second half.  PSU had an 8-5 margin in shots in the second half, but Bison senior keeper Brendan Hamilton made four saves, including three big stops in the second half to preserve his second straight shutout victory.

            PSU had several attempts to score thwarted in the final 30-plus minutes of the contest.  Hamilton made a diving save on a strong shot by senior Alex Martins with 32 minutes to play and another on a header by sophomore David Quist with 14 minutes on the clock.  The Panthers had one last chance but Hamilton made a save on a shot by junior Joakim Martinsson in the final two minutes.

            Nichols finished with a 12-10 margin in shots for the game.  PSU junior keeper Bjorn Ohlsson finished with three saves.

            The Panthers are back in action Wednesday with a visit to Salem State University.  Nichols travels to Clark University on Wednesday as well. 

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