PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University battled back from a 3-0 deficit and freshman
Alex Boots (Shakopee, Minn.) made 19 saves in her collegiate debut, but Worcester State University held on to top the Panthers, 3-2, in a non-conference women's ice hockey game at Hanaway Rink on Saturday.
Worcester State scored twice in a four-minute span in the first period, the tacked on a third goal in the opening minutes of the middle stanza to grab a 3-0 lead.
Plymouth State clawed back, though, as Boots settled in and the Panthers' offense was able to convert. Sophomore
Emily DeSimone (Walpole, Mass.) picked up her first goal of the year at the 5:56 mark and classmate
Libby Carter's (Franklin, Mass.) first of the season six minutes into the third period made it a 3-2 game.
The Panthers continued to press, but the Worcester State goaltender came up big time and again as the Lancers held on for the win.
Plymouth State slips to 0-2-0 to start the year, while the Lancers are now 2-0-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Worcester State 3
- Plymouth State (0-2-0)
- Worcester State (2-0-0)
How it Happened:
- Worcester State put early pressure on the Panthers as the visitors got on the board 12:01 into the first period.
- Worcester State cashed in on a power play chance four minutes later to double the lead.
- The Lancers extended the margin to 3-0 in the opening minutes of the second period, but PSU battled back.
- Boots made a pair of saves to stave off the Worcester State power play, and moments later the Panthers were on the board. Senior Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.) grabbed a loose puck off the end boards and slid it through the crease to DeSimone, who banged it home to cut the margin to 3-1.
- Plymouth State controlled play to open the third period, but several shots were blocked by Worcester State skaters.
- Junior Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) played a puck out of the PSU zone to classmate Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) at center ice. Grant redirected the puck to Carter, who streaked through the zone and past three defenders before slipping a wrist shot under the glove of the Worcester State goalie to pull within 3-2.
- Plymouth State kept the pressure on, outshooting the Lancers by a 17-10 margin the rest of the way, but the Panthers were unable to net the equalizer.
By the Numbers:
- DeSimone has a point in each game on the young season.
- Boots made 19 saves in her collegiate debut, not allowing a goal over the final 38 minutes.
- Worcester State finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Panthers were scoreless in two attempts, though one skater-advantage lasted just the final eight seconds of the game.
- PSU held a 31-22 advantage in shots.
- Freshman Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) won 10-of-14 in the faceoff circle.
- This was the first meeting between the two programs.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is off until a home-and-home series with Curry College next weekend. The Panthers head to Canton, Mass. on Friday (Nov. 4) for a 7:00 p.m. contest, before hosting the Colonels the following afternoon.
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