MANSFIELD, Conn. – Sixth-seeded Plymouth State University saw it season come to an end as third-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University used a smothering defense to best the Panthers, 2-0, in the opening round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Field Hockey Tournament at Rick McCarthy Field on Tuesday afternoon.
 
PSU found it difficult to muster an offensive attack for much of the game as the Warriors' defensive play seemed to break up the Panthers' attack before it could begin. Eastern Connecticut got on the board in the first quarter when it capitalized on a penalty corner just over five minutes into the game to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
 
The back-and-forth defensive battle continued for much of the second quarter until the Warriors had a scoring chance that was stopped by a defender's foot, resulting in a penalty stroke attempt for the hosts. ECSU cashed in to double the lead with under two minutes to go in the first half.
 
Sophomore Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) was finally able to gain a high-quality opportunity in the fourth quarter, but the Eastern Connecticut goalkeeper made an amazing diving save to keep PSU off the board.
 
The Warriors continued their stingy defensive play for the remainder of the game to advance to Thursday's semifinal round with the 2-0 win.
 
Plymouth State finishes its season at 8-9, while Eastern Connecticut improves to 12-5.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, Eastern Connecticut St. 2
  • Plymouth State (8-9)
  • Eastern Connecticut St. (12-5)

How it Happened:

• Eastern Connecticut jumped out to the early lead on a goal just over five minutes into the game off a penalty corner.
• Plymouth State rallied back and pushed to create offensive chances, but the Warriors' defense was equal to the task.
• Senior Jess Mezquita (Atkinson, N.H.) found herself with the Panthers' best opportunity of the first half, but her chance sailed just wide of the cage.
• Eastern Connecticut capitalized on a penalty stroke late in the second quarter to give the hosts the 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
• The third quarter saw Mezquita gain another chance to get the Panthers on the board, but again her shot just missed the mark.
• Healey gained a high-quality chance in the fourth quarter, but the ECSU goalkeeper made a diving stick save to keep the Panthers off the board.

 
By the Numbers:

• Eastern Connecticut outshot the Panthers by a 6-1 margin and didn't allow a penalty corner.
• The game was the only time PSU was held scoreless this season.
• Healey and senior Natalie Perry (Conway, N.H.) finished tied for the team lead in goals (six) and points (17), while sophomore Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) and Mezquita were tied with five goals apiece.
• Sophomore Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made four saves in the losing effort. She finished the 2.00 goals against average and .793 save percentage in more than 900 minutes in goal.
• The game marked the final contest in the careers of Mezquita, Perry, senior Mariah Luscher (Holderness, N.H.) and graduate student Olivia Geisser (Lowell, Mass.).