PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
McKayla Palhoff (Loudon, N.H.) scored in the 87th minute to lift Plymouth State University past UMass Boston, 1-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's soccer game at Arold Field on Saturday afternoon.
The teams played neck and neck throughout the first half but neither team was able to get a shot past the opposing goalkeeper. Plymouth State increased the pressure over the second half, outshooting the Beacons by a 6-1 margin, but the score remained scoreless into the final minutes.
Palhoff struck a loose ball from 25 yards out with just over three minute to play and her right-footed shot was just over the outstretched hand of the UMB goalkeeper to account for the game's only goal.
The contest was part of Plymouth State's
50 Years of Title IX – Celebrating the Women of Panther Athletics weekend. On Friday evening, alumna Deb Biche-Labbe was officially inducted into the LEC Hall of Fame. Biche-Labbe, a First Team All-American in 1991, led the Panthers to two NCAA Tournament Final Fours, three regional finals and four NCAA Tournament appearances from 1988-91.
Plymouth State improves to 5-3-0 and 1-1-0 in the LEC, while UMass Boston dips to 1-5-2 and 0-2-0 in league play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, UMass Boston 0
- Plymouth State (5-3-0, 1-1-0 LEC)
- UMass Boston (1-5-2, 0-2-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Beacons had an early chance in the opening five minutes, but graduate student Elena Register (Helena, Ala.) made a diving save before suffering an injury.
- Freshman Sophia Holland (Barre, Mass.) come on in relief of Register and made a pair of saves to keep UMass Boston off the scoreboard the remainder of the half.
- Freshman Emily McDonough (Peabody, Mass.) cut through traffic on a run down the right side, but her blast from the corner of the box late in the first half was corralled by the UMB goalkeeper.
- Junior Tess LeDuc (Marlborough, Mass.) had a chance on a free kick from 30 yards out in the 56th minute, but the Beacons' goalie was just able to punch the ball over the crossbar.
- Palhof was finally able to break through in the 87th minute. Graduate student Sarah Hicks (Sutton, Mass.) carried the ball up the left side before cutting towards the box. A UMB defender cut off her run, but Palhof drilled the clear attempt just over the fingers of the Beacons' goalkeeper and into the net for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Palhof's goal was her first of the season.
- Holland finished with three saves to improve to 3-0-0 on the year. She and Register were credited with a combined shutout, Holland's second of the season.
- The Panthers held a 13-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in corners.
- Plymouth State's last win over the Beacons came in 2016. The Panthers earned a 1-1 draw when they met last season.
Up Next:
- PSU visits LEC and in-state rival Keene State on Wednesday (Sept. 28) for a 6:00 p.m. clash with the Owls.
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