Panthers drop third one-goal decision

            WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Senior Anna Manser (Manchester, Conn.) scored the game's only goal with on a 15-yard header as Plymouth State University fell to Eastern Connecticut State University, 1-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) match Saturday afternoon at Thomas Nevers Field.

            The Panthers were locked in a scoreless battle with the three-time defending LEC champions over the game's first 64 minutes, before Manser put the Warriors ahead with her third goal of the year.

            Plymouth State drops to 5-3-1 and 1-3 in Little East play. All three setbacks have been 1-0 decisions. Eastern Connecticut moves to 7-3-0 and 3-1 in league play.

            The Basics:

            Plymouth State 0, Eastern Connecticut 1

            Plymouth State 5-3-1, 1-3 LEC

            Eastern Connecticut 7-3-0, 3-1 LEC

            How it Happened:

            * Manser's game-winner came on a header from 15 yards out, finishing off perfect relays from freshman Haley Montesanto (East Haven, Conn.) and sophomore Emily Kratochwil (Stratford, Conn.).

            * Plymouth kept the ball in Eastern's end of the field for a large portion of the second half, but was unable to get a shot past the ECSU goalkeeper.

            * The extended pressure led to shots from senior Sabrina Sweeney (Raymond, N.H.) and freshmen Emily Geyselaers (Cornwall Bridge, Conn.) and Sarah Hicks (Sutton, Mass.) within a five minute span, but all three were turned away by senior Kayla Labrecque (Westhampton, Mass.).

            * The Panthers' last scoring chance came in the game's final seconds, when sophomore Mallory Lloyd (Hartland, Vt.) attempted a run from the right wing, but an ECSU defender came from the weak side to clear the ball away before she could get off a shot.

            Inside the Numbers:

            * Manser has a flair for the dramatic, as all three of her goals this season have been game winners.

            * Eastern Connecticut's defense, sporting a 0.50 goals against average, was able to limit PSU's two leading scorers (Hicks and Lloyd) to one combined shot.

            * Freshman goalkeeper Cat Robbins (Franklin, Mass.) made three saves for the Panthers, while Labrecque had six stops for ECSU.

            * Plymouth State held a 7-6 advantage in shots, while Eastern Connecticut earned the game's only corner kick.

            * The Panthers are 12-21 against the Warriors dating back to 1987. Eastern Connecticut has won each of the last six meetings.

            Straight from the Coach's Mouth:

            "We played great today," said head coach Ryan Joy. "It was a good team effort. Both teams were equally matched and it could have gone either way. The team showed today that we can compete with anyone in the conference."

            Up Next:

            * Plymouth State hosts New England College for a non-conference contest on Wednesday (Oct. 3). Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.

            * The Warriors travel to in-state rival Connecticut College on Wednesday (Oct. 3) for a 7:00 p.m. game.

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