BOSTON, Mass. – Juniors
Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) and
Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) scored first period goals, but the University of Massachusetts Boston rallied past Plymouth State University, 3-2, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey game at Edward T. Barry Ice Rink on Saturday afternoon.
Borbridge got the scoring started less than three minutes into the game when she blasted a slapper off the cross bar and in for the early lead. After UMB pulled even, Grant restored the lead as she batted home a bouncing puck in the slot at the 11:08 mark.
The lead held until late in the second period when UMass Boston knotted the game at 2-2 with 4:12 left in the frame and the hosts potted the lone tally of the third period to secure the win.
Plymouth State dips to 2-12-0 (1-7-0 NEHC), while the Beacons are now 6-9-0 and 4-4-0 in league play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, UMass Boston 3
- Plymouth State (2-12-0, 1-7-0 NEHC)
- UMass Boston (6-9-0, 4-4-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Borbridge took a cross-ice feed from senior Addie Swanson (Eagle River, Alaska), then ripped a rising slapshot from the bottom of the left faceoff circle that snuck over the glove of the Beacons' goaltender, off the cross bar and in just 2:46 into the game.
- A strong forecheck led to a PSU turnover in the defensive zone and the Beacons pulled even on a redirection at the 6:11 mark.
- Grant restored the lead five minutes later. Senior Meghan Hamilton (Walpole, Mass.) whipped a shot from the left circle that bounced through traffic and Grant cleaned it up for the 2-1 lead with 8:52 left in the first.
- PSU would maintain the slight edge until the later portion of the second period, when a Beacons' skater was able to knock in a rebound in the slot with 4:12 left in the frame.
- The hosts pulled in front 3:20 into the third on an impressive individual effort when Liz Kramp flew down the ice to outskate an icing, collected the puck in the corner and skated into the middle before flipping a shot to the top left corner for what would prove to be the game-winner.
By the Numbers:
- Borbridge's tally was her first of the season, while Grant notched her second of the year.
- Sophomore Emily DeSimone (Walpole, Mass.) notched her team-best eighth assist on the season. Her 10 points lead the Panthers.
- Swanson and sophomore Brenna Smith (Medfield, Mass.) also had assists in the setback.
- Junior Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) notched 23 saves in the losing effort.
- PSU held a narrow 29-26 edge in shots.
- Neither team was successful on the power play. PSU finished 0-for-3, while the Beacons were 0-for-1.
- The two teams have been evenly matched over the past decade, as PSU has posted a 6-6-3 mark against the Beacons over the last 15 meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Trinity on Wednesday (Jan. 11) for a non-conference tilt with the Bantams. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.
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