PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) recorded a career-high ten points and Plymouth State University locked up the No. 2 seed and a first round bye for next week's Little East Conference (LEC) Tournament after topping Castleton University, 18-2, in an LEC women's lacrosse game at Panther Field on Wednesday night.
 
Playing through a driving wind, steady showers and below-average temperatures, both teams got off to slow starts as the game remained tied at 1-1 through the first 12:34 of play. PSU closed the first quarter with three straight goals, including a pair from Santom just 17 seconds apart, to take a 4-1 lead after one.
 
The Panthers' heavy pressure in the midfield led to several Spartans' turnovers and significant offensive zone time for PSU in the second quarter. The hosts scored all seven goals in the frame, with two apiece from sophomore Tarryn O'Brien (Weymouth, Mass.), senior Devon Mello (Laconia, N.H.) and Santom, as Plymouth State rolled into halftime with an 11-1 lead.
 
Santom added two goals in the second half, matching her career-high with seven for the game, while O'Brien also established a career-best with four goals. Mello added a career-high five points, while junior Julia Mahoney (Stratford, Conn.) snagged 13 draw controls, just three shy of the school record.
 
Prior to the game Plymouth State recognized its senior class in a brief on-field ceremony; Kaylee St. Laurent (Alfred, Maine), Emily Duffley (Plymouth, Mass.) and Mello.
 
Plymouth State improves to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in the LEC, while Castleton falls to 2-12 (1-5 LEC). The Panthers wrap up the regular season at Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday, then will host the winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 matchup in the semifinals on May 5.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 18, Castleton 2
  • Plymouth State (11-4, 5-1 LEC)
  • Castleton (2-12, 1-5 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Emily Santom (7 goals, 3 asts, 3 gb, 2 ct)
• Devon Mello (3 goals, 2 asts, 6 gb, 3 ct, 2 dc)
• Tarryn O'Brien (4 goals, 1 ast, 1 gb, 2 ct)
• Julia Mahoney (1 ast, 13 dc)

How it Happened:

• Santom opened the scoring 2:42 into the game, but the Spartans pulled even on a free position goal with 10:06 left in the quarter.
• The score would remain tied as both teams struggling to adjust to the conditions, but St. Laurent charged through the midfield and beat the Castleton goalie to pull ahead for good with 2:26 left in the frame.
• Santom scored twice in the final 16 seconds to give PSU a 4-1 cushion after one.
• Plymouth State grabbed control during the second quarter as O'Brien, Santom and Mello each scored twice with sophomore Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) also finding the back of the cage to take an 11-1 lead into halftime.
• Castleton converted its second free position of the day early in the third quarter, but the Panthers responded with the final seven goals of the game.

By the Numbers:

• Santom matched a career-high with her seven goals. Her ten points are tied for the fifth-most in a game in school history. She now has 48 goals in 13 games, leads the LEC with 3.69 goals per game and is five points away from 100 for her career.
• O'Brien chipped in four goals and an assist, while Mello scored three goals and assisted on two.
• Junior Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) finished with four assists and ranks second in the league with 1.80 assists per game.
• Mahoney's 13 draw controls are tied for the third-most in a game.
• Mello grabbed a team-high six ground balls and led all players with three caused turnovers.
• Plymouth State outshot the Spartans by a 46-4 margin.
• The Panthers limited Castleton to just 5-of-35 on clear attempts and won 20-of-23 draw controls.
• PSU moves to 25-1 in the all-time series and has won each of the last seven meetings.

 
Up Next:

• PSU visits Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday (Apr. 30) in the regular season finale. Opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m.

 
 
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