GORHAM, Maine – Senior
Chantelle Ross (Ottawa, Ontario) snagged her first goal of the season, but Plymouth State University dropped a 5-1 decision at the University of Southern Maine in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey action at USM Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies took an early 3-0 lead after the first two period, but Ross got the Panthers back into the game early in the third during a power play chance when she launched a shot to the post and it ricocheted into the back of the net.
Southern Maine gained the momentum right back, though, answered with back-to-back goals to skate to the win.
Plymouth State slips to 2-6-0 (1-3-0 NEHC), while Southern Maine moves to 4-4-0 and 4-2-0 in conference play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Southern Maine 5
- Plymouth State (2-6-0, 1-3-0 NEHC)
- Southern Maine (4-4-0, 4-2-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Junior Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) made key saves to begin the game when she stuffed a wraparound shot immediately followed by a wrister, then added a stop when the Huskies charged in on a 2-on-2 situation.
- Senior Addie Swanson (Eagle River, Alaska) snagged an opportunity for a score out of a faceoff, but the shot was blocked by the opposing defense.
- The Huskies jumped to a 2-0 lead in the middle of the first period following a well set-up shot outside the crease and a long shot two minutes later.
- Freshman Jacqueline Martin (Smithfield, R.I.) made a crucial defensive play as she swatted away a near goal that landed right inside the Panthers' crease after pressure from the USM offense.
- USM pulled away with its third goal of the game at the beginning of the second period.
- Ross got the Panthers on the board early in the third during the second power play opportunity when she sniped a shot to the left post off feeds from junior Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) and sophomore Emily DeSimone (Walpole, Mass.), and the puck bounced right into the net to cut the margin to 3-1.
- The Huskies quickly responded with a pair of goals to keep the Panthers at bay.
By the Numbers:
- Julian notched 26 saves, crossing the 20-save threshold for the fourth time.
- USM held the edge in shots by a margin of 60-40.
- Ross' tally was her first of the season and tenth of her career.
- Both teams were 1-of-3 on the power play.
- Freshman Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) and Swanson each blocked four shots.
- Plymouth State won 33-of-56 faceoffs, with Swanson winning 11-of-12 and Porrello controlling 15-of-22.
- PSU moves to 6-6-1 against the Huskies since the 2015-16 season.
Up Next:
- The Panthers are off for 13 days before returning to NEHC play against #4 Elmira on Dec. 2 at Hanaway Rink. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m.
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