Panthers roll to fifth straight victory

            CASTLETON, Vt. – Three freshmen combined for 13 goals and seven assists Thursday afternoon to lead the Plymouth State University women's lacrosse team to its fifth straight victory, a 17-9 decision over Castleton State College in non-conference action at Spartan Stadium.

            First-year Amy MacDonald led the Panther offense with a season-high seven goals while classmate Meghan McNabb came through with three goals and five assists and Shannon Connerty added three goals and two assists. Sophomore goalie Lorin Field made 13 saves while allowing just nine goals for her fifth win of the season.

            PSU led by just one goal eight minutes into the game before rattling off six unanswered scores to open up a 9-2 lead. MacDonald scored three times in the Panther rally and Connerty twice. The teams traded three goals each over the last 10 minutes of the half to give the Panthers a 12-5 advantage at the break.

            Plymouth State opened the second half with three straight goals, two by McNabb and one from MadDonald, to extend the margin to 15-5, and the Panthers maintained a comfortable margin the rest of the way.  PSU improves to 5-1 overall while the Spartans drop to 2-5.

            Freshman Molly Gleason continued her strong play in the midfield for PSU with eight draw controls.  McNabb and junior Kristen Guest shared the team lead with five ground balls apiece.

             Angelica Mazzola had a strong game for the home squad, finishing with three goals, four ground balls and six draw controls.

            PSU is back in action next Tuesday, Apr. 3, with a non-conference match-up at Bridgewater State University.  Castleton returns to play Friday, Apr. 6 when it takes on Thomas College in Maine. 

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