WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior Elena Register (Helena, Ala.) made a career-high 15 saves, but Westfield State University scored twice in a 17-second span in the second half to pull away for a 4-0 win over Plymouth State University in a women's soccer game under the lights at Alumni Field on Wednesday night.
 
Westfield State took a lead in the 11th minute. The Panthers almost pulled even on a near-perfect shot from senior Jordan Meier (Holderness, N.H.) ten minutes later, but the Owls' goalkeeper was just able to flick the ball over the crossbar and the hosts would hold a 1-0 lead at the half.
 
WSU scored on a rebound off a penalty kick in the 65th minute to create some breathing room, then tacked on a pair of insurance goals in the 78th minute to account for the final score.
 
Plymouth State ends the regular season with a 6-6-2 mark, while Westfield State moves to 12-4-1. PSU will have to wait until Saturday (Oct. 30) to determine its postseason fate. The Panthers hold 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 to claim the six seed.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, Westfield State 4
  • Plymouth State (6-6-2)
  • Westfield State (12-4-1)

How it Happened:

• Westfield State worked a give-and-go and sent a soft shot just past Register to take a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.
• Meier nearly pulled the Panthers even in the 21st minute when her blast from 30-yards out was headed to the top right corner, but the Owls' goalkeeper got just enough of the ball to redirect it over the crossbar.
• The Owls doubled the lead in the 65th minute after being awarded a penalty kick. Register made the initial stop, but the rebound went right back to a Westfield State player to make it 2-0.
• The hosts put the game away in the second half with a pair of goals in a 17-second span to account for the final score.

By the Numbers:

• The Owls held a 31-10 advantage in shots, but Register's 15 saves helped keep PSU close for much of the night.
• Each team earned three corner kicks.
• Meier and seniors Sarah Hicks (Sutton, Mass.) and Taylor Siewierski (Colebrook, N.H.) each fired two shots.
• Entering the game Register had not yet allowed a goal this season.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State will learn its postseason fate on Saturday (Oct. 30). The Panthers currently hold a two-point lead over Keene State for the final playoff spot. PSU will be the sixth seed in next week's LEC Tournament with an Owls' loss or tie at Rhode Island College.