PLYMOUTH, N.H. – ­­­Senior Georgia McLellan (Kamloops, British Columbia) scored on the power play in the final minute of the third period to break a 1-1 tie as Plymouth State University held off Salem State University, 3-1, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's hockey game at Hanaway Rink on Saturday.
 
After a scoreless first period, freshman Emily DeSimone (Walpole, Mass.) scored her first career goal after strong offensive pressure in the last four minutes of the second period to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Salem State was able to pull even with just over five minutes to play, but PSU took advantage of a power play late in the third period and McLellan's slapshot found the back of the net before junior Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.) added an insurance empty-net tally to secure the win.
 
Plymouth State improves to 4-3-1 and moves to an even 2-2-0 in the NEHC, while Salem State remains winless on the year (0-6-0, 0-6-0 NEHC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 3, Salem State 1
  • Plymouth State (4-3-1, 2-2-0 NEHC)
  • Salem State (0-6-0, 0-6-0 NEHC)

How it Happened:

• Both teams went up-and-down the ice in the first period, with sophomore goaltender Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) going a perfect seven-for-seven in saves to keep the game scoreless.
• Sophomore Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) nearly got the Panthers on the board four minutes into the second, but her blast rang the pipe.
• PSU converted on the power play with 3:13 left in the second when strong offensive pressure led to DeSimone's goal to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
• Plymouth State continued to pressure throughout the remainder of the period and into the third, but Salem State scored the equalizer with 5:33 remaining to tie the game.
• Given another opportunity with the skater advantage, McLellan collected a pass from junior Taylor Thomas (Prior Lake, Minn.) at the top of the right circle and fired it to the goal for a 2-1 advantage.
• The Vikings were forced to pull the goalie on the following faceoff and Streed took advantage to put the game out of reach.

By the Numbers:

• Julian made 20 saves for the Panthers to pick up the win, including ten in the final period.
• PSU outshot the Vikings by a 30-21 margin.
• Plymouth State blocked 11 shots.
• The Panthers went 2-of-4 on the power play, while holding Salem State scoreless in four chances.
• PSU dominated the face-off circle, winning 45 of 62 draws. DeSimone won 22-of-27 alone.
• In addition to her goal, DeSimone added an assist, while Thomas and sophomore Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) each had a pair of helpers.
• The Panthers have not lost to Salem State since the Vikings joined the NEHC in 2018-19, improving to 3-0-2.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State is on the road Tuesday (Nov. 23) for a non-conference matchup with Williams College at 7:00 p.m.