PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Walter Driscoll (Kittery Point, Maine) headed in a long free kick off the foot of classmate
Sondre Asheim (Klepp, Norway) in the 88th minute to lift Plymouth State University to a 3-2 win over Fitchburg State University in non-conference men's soccer action at Arold Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Panthers took an early lead and controlled play throughout the first half, but Fitchburg State was able to pull even before the half. The visitors managed possession the opening 20-plus minutes of the second half and Fitchburg pulled ahead in the 72nd minute.
Plymouth State answered right back on a game-tying goal from freshman
Lucas Hollingworth (Akersberga, Sweden) and the game appeared to be headed to a draw. Asheim delivered a free kick from just inside the right touchline about 40-yards out right to the head of Driscoll at the far post, who outleapt the defender and directed the ball to the net for the game winner.
Plymouth State improves to 5-6-3, while the Falcons dip to 1-12-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Fitchburg State 2
- Plymouth State (5-6-3)
- Fitchburg State (1-12-1)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State took an early lead in the 10th minute when sophomore August Westerholm (Stockholm, Sweden) bent a left-footed corner to the near post and senior Anton Friberg (Stockholm, Sweden) headed it past the Falcons' goalkeeper.
- PSU nearly added to the lead in the 17th minute when Hollingworth created space in the box, but his shot drifted wide.
- The Panthers had another prime chance in the 29th minute when junior Faisal Abdallah (Concord, N.H.) sent a long pass to sophomore David Nilsson (Karlstad, Sweden), who outran the defense but his shot was smothered by the keeper.
- The Falcons pulled even in the 38th minute when a chip shot from just inside the left side of the box found the back of the net.
- Fitchburg controlled the pace much of the second half, but freshman Scott Danroth (Edmonton, Alberta) made several saves to keep the score tied.
- The visitors finally solved Danroth in the 72nd minute when another chip shot, this one from 23 yards out, floated over his head.
- Plymouth State countered less than two minutes later. Asheim fired a close range shot that bounced off a defender to the far post where Hollingworth collected before slipping a turnaround shot into the goal.
- It looked like the game may end in a draw, but Asheim delivered a perfect ball to Driscoll's head at the far post with just over two minutes remaining to secure the win.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State held 16-14 edge in shots and 11-9 advantage in shots on goal.
- Fitchburg doubled up the Panthers in corners, 6-3.
- Danroth finished with a career-best seven saves to earn his first career win.
- Asheim picked up his team-leading sixth assist of the season.
- Driscoll's goal was his fourth of the year, while Friberg's tally was the first of his career.
- Hollingworth has scored twice in the last five games.
- Plymouth State improves to 2-1 against the Falcons. All three games have been decided by a single goal.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday (Oct. 22) for a key Little East Conference (LEC) contest. The Panthers need a result to keep their playoff hopes alive. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.
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