WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Senior
Cat Robbins (Franklin, Mass.) made six saves, but Eastern Connecticut State University scored twice in each half to earn a 4-0 win over Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's soccer game at Rick McCarthy Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors came out aggressive from the opening whistle, forcing Robbins to make four saves in the first 30 minutes before breaking through in the 35th minute. The hosts took advantage of a penalty kick opportunity in the final minute of the half to make it 2-0 and ECSU tacked on a pair of second half goals to close out the game.
Plymouth State falls to 6-5-2 and 2-4-2 in the Little East. PSU currently holds a two-point advantage over Keene State College for the final playoff spot and will need an Owls' loss or tie at Rhode Island College next Saturday (Oct. 30) to claim the six seed. Eastern Connecticut improves to 6-7-2 (3-2-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Eastern Connecticut St. 4
- Plymouth State (6-5-2, 2-4-2 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut St. (6-7-2, 3-2-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- After Robbins made multiple saves in the early going, the Warriors broke through in the 35th minute on freshman Briley Harnois' (Attleboro, Mass.) fifth goal of the season.
- A PSU foul in the box with just 49 seconds left in the half resulted in a penalty kick chance for the Warriors and Harnois converted to make it 2-0 at the half.
- Plymouth State picked up the offensive pressure midway through the second half, but bids by seniors Taylor Siewierski (Colebrook, N.H.) and Jordan Meier (Holderness, N.H.) were turned aside.
- The Panthers best chance to get on the board came in the 77th minute when PSU earned a penalty kick chance, but the ECSU goalkeeper made a key save and the Panthers' follow-up bid cleared the crossbar.
- The hosts rode the momentum to add to the lead with a pair of goals in the 77th and 80th minutes.
By the Numbers:
- ECSU held a 15-7 advantage in shots.
- The Warriors earned four corners to PSU's one.
- Meier had a team-high three shots.
- Robbins made six saves for the Panthers and has averaged nearly 6.5 saves per game over her last five appearances.
- Entering play, each of the last six meetings had been decided by one goal.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes out the regular season with a non-conference game at Westfield State University on Tuesday (Oct. 26) at 7:00 p.m.
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