Panthers' Senior Day spoiled by Celata, Monks

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Amanda Celata (Dedham, Mass.) scored two goals, including the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining in the second half, to lead Saint Joseph's College to a 2-1 victory over Plymouth State University Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference field hockey game at Arold Field.

            The Monks won their third game in a row and wrapped up their regular season with a 14-2 overall record. PSU dropped its second straight and takes an 11-4 mark into its regular season finale on Saturday.

            Saint Joe's nearly took the lead 10 minutes into the game when the Monks were awarded a penalty stroke, but PSU freshman goalkeeper Alivia Bates (Pennsauken, N.J.) lunged to her right to make the save and keep the game scoreless.

            Plymouth State scored the first goal three minutes later, as sophomore Kaitlyn Wilder (Framingham, Mass.) got past the Monks' defense, lifted a shot over the charging goalkeeper and into the net for her 15th goal of the season.

             Celata tied the game in the 23rd minute. Parked near the left goal post, Celata deflected a ball shot from just inside the circle by graduate student Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine) that went up and over Bates to even the score at 1-1.

            Shots on goal were identical, with both teams recording a total of 10, six in the first half and four after the break. The game-winner came with 5:15 to play during a St. Joe's transition, as PSU broke up the initial play but Celata collected the loose ball in the slot and pounded home the game-winner with her second of the game and fifth of the season.

            Bates finished with six saves for the home team, while sophomore Emma Astbury (Bridgewater, Vt.) made eight saves to earn the win in the St. Joe's cage.

            Prior to the game, PSU recognized its five seniors – Tayla Corrado (Saugus, Mass.), Kristen Morris (Stoughton, Mass.), Emily Davis (Boscawen, N.H.), Sam Carberry (Shrewsbury, Pa.) and co-captain Nikki Garvey (Canaan, N.H.)

            PSU wraps up the regular season Saturday with a key Little East Conference game at Bridgewater State University (3:30 p.m.). Saint Joe's is the No. 1 seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament, and will host a semifinal game next Wednesday against an opponent to be determined. 

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