PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made a career high 20 saves and classmate
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored her 12th goal of the year, but it wasn't enough as the Plymouth State University field hockey team fell to Thomas College, 4-1, in a non-conference game at Panther Field on Tuesday evening.
Neither team was able to solve the other in the first frame, though both teams saw some early scoring chances. Thomas broke through the Panthers' defense and had a scoring opportunity which resulted in a penalty stroke attempt. The Terriers cashed in on the opportunity to take a 1-0 lead halfway through the second quarter. Aside from the penalty stroke goal, Antonucci was a brick wall in the first half, kicking out 11 shots from the Terriers.
Thomas added to its lead scoring just under three minutes into the third quarter. Moments later PSU had a great look at the cage, but the Thomas goaltender made a desperation stick save and the ball sailed wide. The Terriers added to the margin near the end of the quarter to make it 3-0.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers pressured and fired a shot through traffic. Healey deflected a shot off the stick of graduate student
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) and past the Thomas goalkeeper to cut the margin to 3-1, but the Terriers answered back with 2:27 remaining to account for the final score.
Plymouth State falls to 6-4, while Thomas improves to 7-6.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Thomas 4
- Plymouth State (6-4)
- Thomas (7-6)
How it Happened:
- Thomas had the advantage in the early going, but the Panthers' defense stood tall.
- Both teams exchanged scoring chances in the first quarter, but the game stayed scoreless.
- The Terriers earned a penalty stroke opportunity midway through the second quarter, scoring on the attempt to break the scoreless tie.
- Antonucci made 11 saves in the first half to keep the game close.
- The Terriers scored to make it 2-0 just under three minutes into the third.
- PSU had a glorious scoring chance minutes later, but the Thomas goaltender deflected it wide.
- Thomas added to its lead late in the frame to extend the margin to 3-0.
- PSU got on the board early in the fourth on Healey's 12th of the season, but Thomas answered back moments later and held on for the 4-1 win.
By the Numbers:
- Antonucci recorded a career-high 20 saves, the most since the 2021 season when she stopped 15 shots against Southern Maine.
- Healey's 12 goals leads the team.
- Salzillo has a point in three straight games.
- PSU holds a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series, though Thomas has taken each of the last two meetings by 4-1 scores.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to UMaine Farmington on Saturday (Oct. 14) for a 1:00 p.m., non-conference matchup with the Beavers.
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