Panthers claw back from 2-0 deficit but fall in non-conference game 

            SALEM, Mass. – The Plymouth State University women's ice hockey team battled back from a two-goal deficit to even the score in the third period, but a goal from sophomore Kylie Currier (Middleton, Mass.) 6:29 into the final frame was enough to give Salem State University a 3-2 non-conference win in a game played at Rockett Arena on Tuesday afternoon.

            The Vikings (3-11-2) earn a sweep of the season series with the Panthers, while PSU dips to 5-9-4.

            Salem State was the early aggressor, getting on the board in the opening minute. Currier cleaned up a rebound off a shot from senior Catherine Salvetti (Saugus, Mass.) to put the hosts ahead 1-0 after 29 seconds of play.

            The Vikings doubled the lead at the 16:50 mark of the second period when sophomore Julia Dares (Hanover, Mass.) collected the puck from the left corner and skated into the middle before firing a wrist shot that squirted past freshman goaltender Alex Rajsigl (Tecumseh, Ont.).

            PSU cut into the margin less than a minute later. Sophomore Alie Louie (Mount Laurel, N.J.) flipped a shot on net from the top of the left circle that senior Shannon Hickey (Arlington, Mass.) tipped past Salem State freshman goalie Isabelle Woodward (Ottawa, Ont.) to make it 2-1.

            The Panthers evened the score at 2-2 early in the third period after a strong individual effort by junior Taylor Jackson (St. Albans, Vt.). Jackson stole the puck along the right boards, fought through two Vikings to get off a shot, which was stopped by a defender, but the defender lost her balance and Jackson pushed the loose puck into the bottom left corner just 3:39 into the final period.

            Salem retook the lead three minutes later when Currier streaked down the left side, juked a PSU defender and beat Rajsigl five-hole for the game-winner.

            PSU had some late opportunities but Woodward was able to hold on for the win to improve to 2-6-1. Rajsigl finished with 16 saves and dropped to 1-3-0.

            The Panthers have a pair of New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) road contests this weekend. PSU will travel to Southern Maine for a 7:00 p.m. game on Friday night (Jan. 26), before facing the University of New England on Saturday (Jan. 27) at 4:00 p.m.

– 30 –