HENNIKER, N.H. – Senior
Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.) scored twice and sophomore
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) had a career-high three assists as Plymouth State University skated past New England College, 4-2, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey game at Lee Clement Arena on Saturday.
After a scoreless opening period, Plymouth State struck three times in the middle stanza to take control. Senior
Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) got the scoring started 2:44 into the period when she banged home a rebound and junior
Libby Carter (Franklin, Mass.) doubled the margin midway through the frame when she buried a wrister inside the near post on a breakaway. Streed potted her first of the afternoon during a power play, then made it 4-0 early in the third period.
NEC attempted a late rally with two goals in the final seven minutes, but PSU's defense and freshman goaltender
Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) were able to hold the lead.
Plymouth State improves to 3-2-0 (3-1-0 NEHC), while NEC falls to 0-8-0 (0-6-0 NEHC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 4, NEC 2
- Plymouth State (3-2-0, 3-1-0 NEHC)
- NEC (0-8-0, 0-6-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- The teams battled back-and-forth in an evenly matched opening period. PSU held a 12-8 edge in shots on goal, but neither goaltender budged as the game went into the first intermission deadlocked at 0-0.
- Plymouth State erupted for three goal in the middle stanza to take control. Grant got the scoring started with a strong individual effort at the 2:44 mark of the period. Grant worked the puck loose along the end boards and found sophomore Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) alone in front. Cunningham's blast was denied, but Grant picked up the rebound and deposited it into the net for the 1-0 lead.
- PSU doubled the margin midway through the period when Porrello chipped the puck free at center ice to Carter, who skated in alone on a breakaway. Carter fired a wrist shot high to the stick side to make it 2-0 at 11:56 of the period.
- The Panthers used great puck movement during a power play to make it 3-0 with 1:29 left in the frame. Freshman Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.) worked the puck across the ice to Porrello at the left circle, who fired a quick pass to Streed at the back post for the easy tap in.
- Streed struck again just over five minutes into the third period when Porrello made a quick pass at the half wall that led to a 1-on-1 and Streed's wrister went high to the glove side for the 4-0 advantage.
- NEC attempted to mount a comeback with a pair of late goals, but Plymouth State was able to hold on for the 4-2 win.
By the Numbers:
- Wilson made 26 saves to pick up the win in her collegiate debut.
- PSU fired 77 total shots, including 42 on target, while 28 of the Pilgrims' 49 shots were on goal.
- Plymouth State was 1-for-4 on the power play, while holding NEC scoreless in four chances.
- Porrello recorded her first three-point game and has a point in three of the past four contests. She also won 14-of-19 faceoffs.
- Streed's two goals matched a career high.
- PSU has gone 14-1-1 against the Pilgrims in the last 16 meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State takes a weekend off for Thanksgiving before hosting Southern Maine on Dec. 1 at 6:00 p.m.
– 30 –
