HENNIKER, N.H. – Freshman
Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) scored twice and added an assist in her first career game and Plymouth State University dominated play in a 3-1 win over New England College in non-conference women's soccer action at Don Melander Field on Thursday night.
Bellmore buried a rebound for the only goal of the first half, though PSU outshot the hosts by a 26-2 margin in the opening 45 minutes. The Pilgrims pulled even early in the second half, but Plymouth State regained the lead when graduate student
Kaliana Palhof (Loudon, N.H.) converted a feed from Bellmore and five minutes later Bellmore put the game away with her second of the evening.
Plymouth State moves to 1-0-0 to start the year, while the Pilgrims drop to 0-1-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, NEC 1
- Plymouth State (1-0-0)
- NEC (0-1-0)
How it Happened:
- Bellmore got the Panthers on the board with her first career goal in the 13th minute. Graduate student Cara Easter (Weare, N.H.) streaked down the right side and booted a low angle shot that was deflected by the NEC goalkeeper. Bellmore booted the rebound into the open goal for the 1-0 lead.
- Plymouth State would control play throughout the opening half, but the Pilgrims' goalie made an impressive 13 saves to keep the deficit at 1-0.
- The hosts scored the equalizer less than seven minutes into the second half on a header off a corner kick.
- Palhof took a pass from Bellmore just over eight minutes later as the Panthers regained the lead.
- Bellmore buried an insurance goal in the 66th minute when she found the upper lefthand corner on a solo breakaway.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State owned an impressive 42-4 edge in shots and 25-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- Bellmore finished with five points on her two goals and an assist, firing a game-high ten shots.
- Senior McKayla Palhof (Loudon, N.H.) had nine shots, while Easter and K. Palhof had seven and six, respectively.
- Freshman Sophia Holland (Barre, Mass.) finished with one save to record their first collegiate win.
- Plymouth State improves to 8-1-2 against the Pilgrims overall, and 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts UMaine Farmington on Saturday (Sept. 3) in the home opener at noon. The Panthers will celebrate Senior Day prior to the opening kick.
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