PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore Holly Temple (Topsham, Maine) and classmate Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored four minutes apart in the third quarter to lead Plymouth State University over Framingham State University, 2-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
Plymouth State carried the offensive play throughout the game but couldn't solve the Rams' defense as the game remained scoreless at halftime. The Panther attack proved to be too much for Framingham when Temple fired a shot off a penalty corner that found the back of the cage. Four minutes later senior Natalie Perry (Conway, N.H.) threaded a pass to Healey, who buried the chance for her second goal in as many games.
 
The Panther defense was steady when called upon with sophomore Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) notching her second straight shutout.
 
Plymouth State honored the memory of legendary coach Dorothy "Dot" Diehl in a halftime ceremony. Diehl, who passed in January, led the Panthers for 16 seasons in the 1970s and 80s, amassing 120 wins, eight postseason berths, the 1987 ECAC Championship and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1984. A trailblazer for gender equity in sports, the program will host a game in her memory annually.
 
Plymouth State runs its record to 4-1 (2-0 LEC), while Framingham State sits at 2-2 (0-2 LEC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 2, Framingham State 0
  • Plymouth State (4-1, 2-0 LEC)
  • Framingham State (2-2, 0-2 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Taylor Healey (goal, 3 shots)
• Holly Temple (goal, 3 shots)
• Natalie Perry (assist, 1 shot)

How it Happened:

• The Panther offense gained momentum halfway through the first quarter and kept constant pressure on the Rams' defense.
• The score remained 0-0 after the first quarter despite the Panthers having two goals disallowed for crease violations.
• The second quarter continued with PSU mounting its attack, but Framingham State sophomore goalkeeper Grace Pusher (Old Town, Maine) and the Rams' defense were equal to the task.
• In the final seconds of the half, sophomore Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) nearly broke the scoring open as she came screaming down the left side but was denied by Pushor and the game remained scoreless at the end of the half.
• The PSU offense capitalized on a penalty corner when Temple shot through traffic and found the back of the cage.
• Four minutes later Perry found Healey alone in front as the Panthers doubled their lead.
• Framingham State would attempt to cut into the Panther lead early in the fourth quarter, but the chance was cleared off the goal line by sophomore Jenna Freni (Lynnfield, Mass.).
• Plymouth State kept the offensive pressure on throughout the remainder of the game to walk away with the win.

By the Numbers:

• PSU held a 14-4 shot advantage and a 14-5 edge in penalty corners.
• Antonucci had three saves to earn her second career shutout.
• The win marks the 11th straight victory for the Panthers over Framingham State dating back to the 2010 season.

Up Next:

• The Panthers travel to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for another LEC matchup next Saturday (Sept. 25) at 4:00 p.m.