Hernandez tallies five goals in non-conference win 

            BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Victoria Hernandez (Danvers, Mass.) scored five goals and Plymouth State University used a 6-0 run to pull away from Wentworth Institute of Technology, 14-4, in a season-opening non-conference women's lacrosse game at Sweeney Field on Wednesday night.

            Wentworth went ahead in the opening minute, but Hernandez answered 28 seconds later to spark a 6-0 surge and the Panthers led 8-2 at the half. The Leopards got to within five, 9-4, five minutes into the second half but PSU scored the next five goals to put the game away.

            Plymouth State improves to 1-0 and will head to Babson on Saturday (Feb. 29), while Wentworth drops to 0-1 and hosts Emmanuel the same day.

            The Basics:

            Plymouth State 14, Wentworth 4

            Plymouth State (1-0)

            Wentworth (0-1)

            How it Happened.

• Wentworth wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, but Hernandez answered with her first of the day less than 30 seconds later.
• Freshman Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) gave PSU a lead it would not relinquish after 1:45 and Hernandez's second tally capped a 6-0 run as Plymouth State took a 6-1 lead after 11:07 of action.
• Wentworth stopped the streak with 18 minutes to go, but Santom picked up her second of the game and Hernandez scored again to make it 8-2 at the half.
• The Leopards scored twice in the first five minutes to pull within 9-4, but sophomore Devon Mello (Laconia, N.H.) scored twice during a game-ending 5-0 spurt.

            Inside the Numbers:

• Hernandez notched a game-high five goals on six shots.
• Santom and Mello added three goals apiece, with Santom also picking up an assist for four points in her first collegiate game.
• Junior Meg McAndrew (South Windsor, Conn.) chipped in with two goals and an assist, while sophomore Hannah Chartier (Weare, N.H.) added a pair of assists.
• Freshman Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) also recorded her first career goal in the win.
• Junior Meaghan Allard (Amherst, N.H.) made seven saves to pick up the win (1-0), while junior Lily Kuhns (Gloucester, Mass.) stopped 11 shots but fell to 0-1. 

            Straight From the Coaches Mouth:

            "Today was a really good effort across the board," said head coach Sandy Bridgeman. "Balanced scoring and a really solid effort on the defensive end. A great way to open the season."

            Up Next:

• Plymouth State heads to Babson on Saturday (Feb. 29) for a 3:00 p.m. contest.

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