PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) made 44 saves, but Salem State University scored with 2.9 seconds left in overtime to slip past Plymouth State University, 2-1, in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) potted her first career goal with a power play tally just 2:49 into the contest, but the Vikings pulled even less than five minutes later. Both teams would have opportunities in the second and third periods, but neither was able to find the back of the net.
The Panthers had three prime chances during the overtime period, but each time the Salem State goaltender was up to the task. The Vikings made one final push as the clock wore down and a wrist shot from inside the left circle somehow snuck inside the near post with just 2.9 seconds left.
Plymouth State slips to 3-4-0 (3-3-0 NEHC), while the Vikings improve to 3-8-0 and 2-4-0 in league play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Salem State 2 (OT)
- Plymouth State (3-4-0, 3-3-0 NEHC)
- Salem State (3-8-0, 2-4-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers got on the board just two seconds into a power play chance at the 2:49 mark of the first. Porrello won an offensive zone faceoff to freshman Lilli Warnock (Bernardsville, N.J.). Warnock fired a shot from the top of the right circle and Porrello banged home the rebound for the early lead.
- The Vikings pulled even five minutes later when a shot from the blue line was tipped in front.
- Plymouth State had a golden opportunity five minutes into the second when freshman Laura Castronova (Hauppauge, N.Y.) fed senior Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) on the wing during a 2-on-1, but Grant's blast rang the pipe.
- Wilson stood tall to preserve the tie when a long pass led to a 1-on-0 break for the Vikings with 7:27 left in the middle stanza.
- The Panthers maintained constant zone pressure during a power play 20 seconds later, firing seven shots on goal, while senior Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) nearly cashed in from the left circle but her shot hit the pipe.
- The third period featured back-and-forth action but neither team was able to solve the opposing goalie. McNeil made a bid in the final ten seconds with a shot to the top left corner, but Salem State's goaltender was able to knock it down.
- PSU had several chances to put the game away in overtime. Porrello made a move around two defenders and whipped a shot at the far post that was shouldered away in the opening 15 seconds and McNeil skated around a defender for a 1-on-1 with the goalie, but her shot was denied. Castronova had a bid midway through the extra frame, but the goaltender poked the puck off her stick and covered up.
- It looked like the game would end in a tie as the clock ticked down, but Salem State made one final rush. Wilson made the initial save and the rebound went just wide of the goal to the end boards. The Vikings flipped the puck to the left circle and a quick shot snuck inside the near post with just 2.9 seconds left on the clock to end the game.
By the Numbers:
- Porrello's goal was the first of her career. She leads the team with seven points on the season.
- Warnock and junior Emily DeSimone (Norwood, Mass.) picked up the assists.
- Wilson finished with a career-best 44 saves.
- Porrello won 18-of-27 faceoffs.
- The Panthers blocked 14 shots. Senior Carsen Moffett (Kamloops, British Columbia) led the way with three.
- Salem State held a 46-34 advantage in shots on goal.
- PSU finished 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Panthers' penalty kill was spectacular holding the Vikings scoreless in eight chances.
- Four of the last five meetings have been decided by one goal with four games requiring overtime.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Bowdoin on Friday (Dec. 8) for a non-conference tilt with the Polar Bears. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
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