HENNIKER, N.H. – Junior captain
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored and classmate
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) recorded 12 saves, but it wasn't enough as host New England College slipped by Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a non-conference field hockey game at Don Melander Field on Thursday evening.
The game began with the Pilgrims seizing territorial control, but Antonucci and the Panther defense stood their ground to keep the game scoreless after the first. The Panther offense came alive in the second period and Healey picked up where she left off last season to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead halfway through the second quarter. Less than a minute later, the Pilgrims knotted the game to send it into halftime 1-1.
The second half began with the Pilgrims staying in their offensive rhythm and keeping the pressure on the PSU defenders. Antonucci and her defensive unit dazzled all night, turning away the Pilgrims' chances and allowing the Panther offense to find its groove. The game went back and forth until the end of regulation with the score still knotted at 1-1.
The Panthers began the overtime period with a quick chance as junior
Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) went right down the middle of the field and nearly ended the game just five seconds in. The Pilgrim defense was just able to break up Comeau's chance, but she nearly found a streaking Healey right in front of the cage.
A foul allowed the Pilgrims to bring the ball into the Panthers' end, and Mikayla Vincent (Newburyport, Mass.) fired a pass to Renee Bouchard (Swanton, Vt.) who buried the game-winner just 1:15 into the extra frame.
The Panthers start the season 0-1, while New England College moves to 1-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, New England College 2 (OT)
- Plymouth State (0-1)
- New England College (1-0)
How it Happened:
- The Pilgrims seized momentum first and controlled the game through the first quarter.
- Plymouth State's defense was able to hold NEC off the board.
- NEC shut down the Panther offense in the first quarter, allowing no shots on cage.
- The first quarter ended 0-0.
- Plymouth broke the scoring open halfway through the second quarter on a goal from Healey.
- The Pilgrims tied the game less than a minute later to send it into halftime 1-1.
- The hosts started the second half where they left off and kept the pressure on the Panther defense.
- Antonucci and the defense sealed off their net for the remainder of regulation.
- Comeau nearly ended the game off the opening play of OT but was denied by the Pilgrim defense.
- NEC marched down the field and ended the game on a goal 1:15 into OT.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State held a narrow advantage in shots on goal (16-14), but penalty corners favored the hosts (11-6).
- Healey recorded her first goal of the season.
- Antonucci made 12 saves on 14 shots faced.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hits the road on Saturday (Sept. 3) at 1 p.m. for a non-conference matchup against Colby-Sawyer.
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