PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored another two goals and freshman Caroline Coleman (Conway, N.H.) also found the back of the cage as Plymouth State University opened Little East Conference (LEC) play with a 3-2 win over Fitchburg State University on Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
Prior to the start of the game, seniors Melanie Mesa (Saugus, Mass.) and Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) were honored as part of a Senior Day ceremony, recognizing the pair for their service and dedication to the program. The game also served as the team's annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Game. Both teams gathered at midfield for a group picture and the team sold merchandise and accepted donations to support the Dana Farber Research Center for Pediatric Cancers.
 
The Panthers' offense was hot at the start, opening the game with two glorious scoring opportunities. It was the visitors who opened the scoring, though, finding the back of the cage on their first shot on goal just five minutes into the contest. PSU answered near the end of the quarter when Coleman notched her second goal of the season.
 
Early in the second quarter, the Falcons struck again to take a 2-1 lead into halftime despite a 10-4 shot advantage for the Panthers. Fitchburg's junior goaltender Jenna Morse (Lunenburg, Mass.) was spectacular throughout the first half.
 
The Panther offense came out firing again in the second half and took advantage of a shorthanded Falcons' team due to a green card. During the penalty, Healey was able to knock in her fourth and fifth goals of the season, giving PSU its first lead of the game.
 
PSU kept the field tilted in its favor and held on for the 3-2 victory.
 
Plymouth State improves to 2-2 (1-0 LEC), while Fitchburg State drops to 1-2 (0-1 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 3, Fitchburg State 2
  • Plymouth State (2-2, 1-0 LEC)
  • Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-1 LEC)

How it Happened:

• The PSU offense came out firing to start the game.
• Fitchburg State's Lena Kassel (Stuttgart, Germany) opened the scoring in the first corner with a drive from the top of the circle on a penalty corner.
• PSU answered back just over four minutes later on Coleman's tally.
• Kassel scored again for the Falcons to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the second quarter.
• The Panthers' offense pressed but was kept off the scoreboard to send the game into halftime.
• The PSU offense came alive again and a Fitchburg State green card gave the hosts an advantage.
• Healey took the game into her own hands, scoring twice in just over a minute as the Panthers leapfrogged in front.
• Plymouth State kept the pressure on, not allowing the Falcons any scoring chances.

By the Numbers:

• Plymouth State held a 19-8 advantage in shots and an impressive 19-6 edge in penalty corners.
• Healey scored in her fourth straight game and now has a team-best five goals.
• Both Coleman and Healey fired game-highs of six shots on net.
• Plymouth State moves to 20-5 all-time against the Falcons.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State is back home on Wednesday (Sept. 14) for a 4:00 p.m. non-conference matchup with Rivier.

 
 
 
 
  Read Full Article