DANSBURY, Conn. – Sophomore Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) scored in double overtime, while classmate Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made eight saves and PSU claimed a Little East Conference (LEC) playoff spot with a 2-1 win over Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon at Westside Athletic Complex.
 
Needing a win to advance to next week's LEC Tournament, the Panthers took an early lead when sophomore Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored midway through the first quarter. The hosts evened the score in the 24th minute when they buried a rebound to send the game into halftime tied at 1-1.
 
Antonucci was a wall in the third quarter, turning away multiple doorstep chances as well as saving a penalty stroke attempt by WestConn.
 
Early in double overtime, Comeau found herself with room heading up the field. She beat the defender wide and deposited the game winner into the lower right corner of the cage to send the Panthers into the playoffs.
 
Plymouth finishes the regular season at 8-8 (6-6 LEC), while WestConn drops to 7-9 (5-7 LEC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 2, WestConn 1 (2 OT)
  • Plymouth State (8-8, 6-6 LEC)
  • WestConn (7-9, 5-7 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Athena Comeau (1 goal, game-winner)
• Kayla Antonucci (8 saves, 9 shots)
• Healey (1 goal, 4 shots)

How it Happened:

• Healey got the Panthers on the board halfway through the first quarter with her team-leading sixth goal.
• WestConn tried to answer, but was denied by Antonucci and the Panther defense.
• The hosts responded in the second quarter, firing six shots at the Panther cage and finally getting one through to even the score going into halftime.
• The third quarter saw West Conn having a territorial advantage again. Antonucci made multiple saves on high-quality chances, though, to keep the score even.
• WestConn was granted a penalty stroke attempt late in the third, but again Antonucci turned the shot aside to keep the game tied.
• Each team had a quality scoring opportunity in the first overtime period, but both goalkeepers made the crucial stops.
• Early in the second overtime, Comeau got behind a defender and slammed home the game-winner.

 
By the Numbers:

• WestConn outshot the Panthers by a 17-8 margin and also held an advantage in penalty corners (11-4).
• Healey is tied for the team lead in goals (six) and points (17).
• Antonucci made several key saves again to even her record at 7-7.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State is assured of a playoff spot, but the seeding won't be determined until all the results across the conference are in. The Panthers could end up anywhere from sixth to eighth. Regardless, PSU will be on the road for the quarterfinals on Tuesday (Nov. 2).