PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Sydney Spenard (Manchester, N.H.) scored a first quarter goal and senior
Jess Mezquita (Atkinson, N.H.) added her own marker in the fourth but it wasn't enough as Keene State College powered past Plymouth State University, 4-2, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey matchup under the lights at Panther Field on Tuesday night.
Spenard gave PSU an early lead with her team-leading fourth goal of the season immediately following a disallowed goal by the Owls. Keene scored twice in the second and third quarters to build a 4-1 lead moving into the final frame. Mezquita brought the Panthers to within two with her score but the home team was unable to rally further.
Plymouth State falls to 4-3 (2-2 LEC), while Keene State improves to 3-7 (3-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Keene State 4
- Plymouth State (4-3, 2-2 LEC)
- Keene State (3-7, 3-1 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Sophomore goalkeeper Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) stood tall in the early going, making a huge save to keep the game scoreless.
- The Owls had a goal disallowed on a penalty corner just past the midway point of the frame as the ball never cleared the shooting circle. The Panthers capitalized immediately, marching down the field and Spenard buried a feed from sophomore Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) for a 1-0 lead.
- Keene pulled even early in the second quarter and junior Lauren Hausser (Metuchen, N.J.) gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at the half with a goal with just over a minute on the clock.
- The Owls kept the pressure on the Panthers' defense throughout the third quarter. Antonucci continued to battle, but KSC was able to tack on two more goals to take a 4-1 lead heading into the final stanza.
- Plymouth State remained relentless in its attack and Mezquita scored a tomahawk goal off a pass from sophomore Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) to cut into the deficit.
- Keene was able to preserve the two-goal lead to take the win.
By the Numbers:
- The Owls had slight edges in shots on goal (15-13) and penalty corners (13-12).
- Antonucci finished with 11 saves to match her career high.
- Mezquita's tally was her third of the season to match Healey and Spenard for the team lead.
- With her assist, Healey leads the Panthers with seven points.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State kicks off Homecoming weekend with an LEC clash against Eastern Connecticut State University on Friday (Oct. 1) at 6:00 p.m. Alumna Lily Silva '06 will be formally recognized as a member of the LEC Hall of Fame Class of 2020 during a halftime ceremony.
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