SALEM, Mass. – Freshman
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) poured in three goals and four assists as Plymouth State University dominated Salem State University, 17-3, in non-conference women's lacrosse action under the lights at Alumni Field on Friday night.
PSU scored just 11 seconds into the game, but the Vikings rallied to tie after four minutes of play. Sophomore
Tarryn O'Brien (Weymouth, Mass.) broke the tie and Donovan added her first of the night to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead after one.
Plymouth State outscored the hosts by a 4-2 margin in the second quarter to lead 7-3 at the half, before cruising to the win without allowing another goal the rest of the way.
Plymouth State improves to 4-0, while the Vikings even out at 2-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 17, Salem State 3
- Plymouth State (4-0)
- Salem State (2-2)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Junior Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.) got the Panthers on the board just 11 seconds into the game, but the hosts came back to tie the score just under four minutes in.
- O'Brien snapped the tie and Donovan added her first as PSU took a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.
- Freshman Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.) scored twice and O'Brien tallied her second to push the advantage to 6-1.
- Salem snapped the five-goal streak, but junior Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) answered back. The Vikings tallied a woman-up goal to make it 7-3 at the half.
- Junior Julia Mahoney (Stratford, Conn.) set Hunt up twice in the first 1:33 of the third quarter to spark a six-goal quarter before the Panthers put the game away with four more tallies in the final stanza.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State held a 43-10 advantage in shots and was a perfect 14-of-14 in clears.
- PSU scooped up 39 ground balls to the Vikings' 15, while the Panthers won 18-of-22 draws.
- Donovan posted her fourth straight game with at least three goals and has averaged six points per game.
- Croke finished with three goals and an assist, while Hunt had a career high four goals.
- Thomas grabbed a game-high seven ground balls, while Mahoney added six.
- Sophomore Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) was outstanding after being credited with 18 draw controls, six ground balls and three caused turnovers.
- The Vikings entered the game averaging just under 13 goals per game, but PSU's stellar defense limited them to only three.
- The Panthers are 6-1 all-time against Salem State and have won each of the last four meetings by at least 14 goals.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is slated to face #9 Colby College on Sunday (Mar. 13). The opening draw is set for 4:00 p.m.
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