PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) buried a slap shot from the left circle with 2:13 left in regulation to lift Plymouth State University to a 3-2 win over the University of Massachusetts Boston in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) opener for both schools at Hanaway Rink on Friday night.
Plymouth State erased a first period deficit, scoring in the opening minutes and final minutes of the middle period to take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission. UMass Boston pulled even midway through the frame and the game seemed destined for overtime, but McNeil fired a shot to the top right corner to break the tie and give interim head coach
Ben Chipman his first career win.
Moments earlier, junior
Brenna Smith (Medfield, Mass.) made an outstanding play at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone. Sophomore
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) batted it down and freshman
Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.) whipped a pass to McNeil who fired the game-winner.
Plymouth State evens out at 1-1-0 (1-0-0 NEHC) while the Beacons go to 1-0-1 (0-0-0 NEHC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, UMass Boston 2
- Plymouth State (1-1-0, 1-0-0 NEHC)
- UMass Boston (1-1-1, 0-1-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Porrello had the game's first scoring chance seven minutes in when a pass off the boards led to a breakout opportunity, but her slapshot from the right wing was saved.
- UMass Boston took advantage of the game's first power play chance when a shot from the point got past a screened Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) to make it 1-0 at the 16:30 mark.
- Plymouth State had its own skater-advantage minutes later, but the Panthers were unable to cash in as UMB took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
- The Panthers opened the second period with a jolt of energy, successfully killing off the tail end of a wraparound penalty then potting the equalizer 14 seconds later. Junior Libby Carter (Franklin, Mass.) picked up the puck in the defensive zone and sent an outlet pass to Porrello at center ice. Porrello hit freshman Laura Castronova (Hauppauge, N.Y.) in stride, and Castronova whipped a wrist shot inside the far post just 1:33 into the period to tie the game at 1-1.
- PSU nearly went ahead three minutes later as senior Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) streaked down the right side, but her shot sailed just wide.
- UMB had two golden chances to retake the lead late in the period, but Julian was up to the task both times. The Beacons came in on a 3-on-1 with seven minutes to play, but Julian made the initial save and the rebound attempt rolled untouched through the crease. Just 90 seconds later a long pass led to a 1-on-0 breakaway, but Julian came out to cut off the angle and made a brilliant right pad save.
- Plymouth State pulled ahead with just 1:17 left in the frame on another breakaway. Senior Carsen Moffett (Kamloops, British Columbia) played the puck off the boards to classmate Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.), who skated through the neutral zone and fired a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot low to the stick side to make it 2-1.
- UMass Boston picked up the intensity to start the third. The Panthers' defense was up to the task, though, as Julian made several clutch saves. With a scrum in front of the goal and Julian sprawled out on the ice, the puck dribbled towards the goal, but senior Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) cleared it off the goal line before a whistle stopped play.
- The Beacons pulled even midway through the third on a one-timer off a perfect feed from the corner to square the game at 2-2.
- Plymouth State pushed late in the period and Smith made an athletic play to keep the puck in the zone. Porrello sent the puck to Gerrie in the high slot, and Gerrie found McNeil with room on the left side before her blast found the top left corner for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Castronova potted her first collegiate goal.
- Porrello finished with a pair of assists and won 15-of-26 faceoffs.
- Julian recorded 29 saves in the win.
- UMass Boston held a 31-19 advantage in shots.
- UMB went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Panthers were held scoreless in four chances.
- PSU improves to 7-13-3 against the Beacons. Plymouth State's last win in the series came during the 2018-19 season.
- Chipman picked up his first career victory.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Johnson & Wales tomorrow (Nov. 4) at 3:00 p.m. in the annual Salute the Troops game.
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