PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University got out to a two-goal lead in the first half, but the University of Southern Maine tied the game in the final seconds before earning a 4-3 win in overtime in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game on Panther Field Tuesday evening.
The Panthers had the field tilted in their favor for the entire first quarter but couldn't capitalize on their chances. Sophomore
Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) pounced on a loose ball and broke the scoreless tie with her second of the season to give PSU a 1-0 lead early in the second quarter.
USM cashed in on one of their few first half chances later in the quarter to tie things at 1-1, but freshman
Caroline Coleman (Conway, N.H.) notched her fifth of the season after burying a feed from junior
Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) just 30 seconds later to restore the PSU advantage.
Less than two minutes later, junior
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored her 22nd of the season off a long pass from senior
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) to increase the lead to 3-1 at the half.
The Huskies got one back late in the third quarter to set up a dramatic finish. In the dying seconds of the game a failed clear attempt helped USM set up a penalty corner with just 16 seconds remaining. The Huskies were able to cash in and send the game to overtime.
Both teams had chances to score in the extra frame, with USM's best chance coming right in front, but junior
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made a great left pad save to keep the Panthers' chances alive. Moments later, USM took a shot that a sprawling Antonucci turned aside, but the ball rebounded to a Southern Maine player, who converted to finish the comeback.
Plymouth State dips to 10-5 (8-3 LEC), while Southern Maine improves to 13-6 and 10-2 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Southern Maine 4 (OT)
- Plymouth State (10-5, 8-3 LEC)
- Southern Maine (13-6, 10-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- PSU struck first on a goal from Stowell, her second of the season.
- USM answered back to tie the game at 1-1.
- The Panthers struck again when Comeau came running up the middle and slid a pass to Coleman to make it 2-1.
- Healey doubled the Panthers' lead with her 22nd of the season just 1:39 later to make it 3-1.
- USM got one back late in the third quarter to trim the margin to 3-2.
- PSU had a chance to clear with just 25 seconds remaining but failed on the attempt. The Huskies pounced on it and earned themselves a penalty corner with just 16 seconds to go.
- USM cashed in to tie the game and force the overtime session.
- Antonucci made an amazing pad save on a close shot to keep things tied early in the extra frame.
- USM took a shot that Antonucci deflected, but the ball ended up on the stick of USM junior Chloe Arsenault (Boothbay, Maine), who scored to seal the 4-3 comeback for the Huskies.
By the Numbers:
- Antonucci made 14 saves in the game, including seven in the overtime session.
- Healey's goal was her 22nd of the year.
- Plymouth State held a 22-18 edge in shots through regulation, but the Huskies fired all ten shots in overtime.
- PSU finished with 12 penalty corners, all in the first three quarters, while USM had 10.
- Plymouth State holds a 26-16 advantage in the all-time series, though the Huskies have won each of the last four meetings.
Up Next:
- PSU wraps up the regular season on Saturday (Oct. 29), when WestConn comes to town for a 4:00 p.m. LEC tilt.
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