PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Visiting Johnson & Wales University scored a pair of first period goals and Plymouth State University was unable to recover, falling 3-0 in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Tuesday evening.
JWU got off to a quick start, lighting the lamp just 28 seconds into play, and the Wildcats doubled the lead by the end of the period. Plymouth State had opportunities to cut into the deficit in both the second and third periods but were unable to get on the board and an empty net goal capped the scoring in the final minute.
With the setback, Plymouth State falls to 4-8-1 (2-5-0 NEHC), while the Wildcats improve to 7-6-1 (4-3-0 NEHC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, JWU 3
- Plymouth State (4-8-1, 2-5-0 NEHC)
- JWU (7-6-1, 4-3-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- The Wildcats put early pressure on the PSU defense when freshman Soph Hamel (Lincoln, R.I.) took a feed in the slot for a quick shot that found the back of the net 28 seconds into the game.
- JWU made it 2-0 at 13:44 when junior Skylan Robert (Newport, Vt.) was on the receiving end of a pair of quick passes starting from behind the Plymouth State goal and her shot beat senior goaltender Olivia Petito (Jacksonville, Fla.).
- The visitors had a great opportunity to add to the lead midway through the third period when a long pass led to a 2-on-0 break, but Petito made a brilliant kick save to keep the deficit at two.
- PSU nearly broke through later in the frame when senior Georgia McLellan (Kamloops, British Columbia) teed up a shot, but the JWU goaltender was up to the challenge.
- The Panthers had another shot on a breakout but again were denied at the doorstep as the game remained 2-0 heading into the final period.
- Plymouth State controlled play much of the third period, but junior Taylor Thomas (Prior Lake, Minn.) had her shot hit the pipe and the JWU goalie was able to keep PSU off the board.
- The Wildcats added an empty netter in the final minute to close out the game.
By the Numbers:
- JWU outshot the Panthers by a 34-28 margin.
- Neither team was successful on the power play. The Wildcats were held scoreless in three chances, while PSU finished 0-for-2.
- Junior Addie Swanson (Eagle River, Alaska) had a team high four shots on target, while classmate Meghan Hamilton (Walpole, Mass.) won 14-of-21 faceoffs.
- Petito finished with 31 saves.
Up Next:
- The Panthers remain at home for a pair of league games this weekend. PSU welcomes New England College to Hanaway Rink on Friday (Jan. 21) for a 6:00 p.m. contest, before hosting #9 Norwich University on Saturday (Jan. 22, 2:00 p.m.).
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