BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore
Kayli Daigneault (Concord, N.H.) made 12 saves in her collegiate debut, but Emerson College powered past Plymouth State University, 5-1, in a non-conference women's soccer game at Rotch Field on Tuesday night.
The Lions struck twice in the opening half before freshman
Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) got the Panthers on the board with her fifth goal of the year in the 54th minute. Emerson continued to press, however, tacking on three more tallies to account for the final score.
Plymouth State moves to 3-2-0 on the season, while Emerson goes to 2-1-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Emerson 5
- Plymouth State (3-2-0)
- Emerson (2-1-1)
How it Happened:
- Emerson pressured the PSU defense throughout the opening half, testing Daigneault frequently. The hosts got on the board in the 18th minute, then doubled the lead in the final minutes of the opening half.
- Bellmore continued her strong start with her fifth goal of the season early in the second half to cut the deficit in half, but the Lions answered back less than three minutes later to restore the two-goal lead, 3-1.
- Emerson pushed the margin to 4-1 in the 71st minute.
- Bellmore nearly added a second tally of the evening in the 73rd minute. PSU's free kick following an Emerson offsides was chipped up through the midfield. Bellmore won a footrace to the ball, but the Lions' keeper was able to corral her shot.
- The hosts made it 5-1 in the 79th minute. The Lions' initial shot was blocked by a PSU defender, but the loose ball ended up at the foot of an Emerson attacker, who fired it inside the far post.
- Freshman Emily Wilson (Salem, N.H.) made a bid for her first goal of the season but her free kick from 35 yards out slipped just over the crossbar in 87th minute.
By the Numbers:
- Daigneault's 12 saves were easily the most in a game for a PSU goalkeeper this season.
- Bellmore now has five goals and 12 points in just five games for the Panthers. Her five goals are tied for the 15th-most in the nation, while her 12 points equal the 16th-most.
- All three meetings between the two teams have come in the last four years. Emerson took the previous two matchups by identical 2-1 scores.
Up Next:
- The Panthers open Little East Conference (LEC) play on Friday (Sept. 16) when they visit UMass Dartmouth for a 7:00 p.m. clash with the Corsairs.
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