BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior Jess Mezquita (Atkinson, N.H.) scored and sophomore Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made a career-high 13 saves, but Plymouth State University fell to Bridgewater State University, 2-1, in a Little East Conference matchup at Swenson Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
The hosts scored in the opening five minutes to take the lead. Antonucci was tested early and often in the contest and stood tall, making key save after key save. Just seconds before halftime the Bears added to their advantage to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
 
Just over a minute into the second half Mezquita buried her fifth goal of the season to cut the Bears' lead in half. The Panthers fought hard until the finish, firing six shots on the Bridgewater State cage, but couldn't sneak one past the goalkeeper and the Bears held on for the 2-1 win.
 
Plymouth State drops to 7-7 (5-5 LEC), while BSU improves to 5-10 (3-7 LEC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 1, Bridgewater State 2
  • Plymouth State (7-7, 5-5 LEC)
  • Bridgewater State (5-10, 3-7 LEC)

How it Happened:

• Bridgewater State opened the scoring five minutes into the contest.
• Antonucci made nine saves in the first quarter to keep the game within reach.
• The hosts maintained control of the game through the second quarter, firing another seven shots at the PSU cage and with seconds remaining in the half they doubled their lead.
• The Panthers rallied and cut the margin in half just over a minute into the third quarter when Mezquita found a ball near the cage off a failed clear attempt and fired it home.
• Plymouth State kept the pressure on, but the Bears' defense was equal to the task and the hosts held on for the 2-1 win.

By the Numbers:

• Bridgewater State held a 17-8 advantage in shots on goal and a 9-6 edge in penalty corners.
• Antonucci's 13 saves were a career high, topping her previous mark of 11 set last month.
• Mezquita is tied for second on the team with five goals.
• PSU had won each of the last nine meetings, though four of those games were decided by a single goal.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State visits the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday (Oct. 26) for an LEC matchup.