PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Junior
Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) made a career-high 17 saves and senior
Jake Dolcimascolo (Georgetown, Mass.) notched five points as Plymouth State University topped Plattsburgh State University, 9-5, in a non-conference men's lacrosse game at Field House Turf Complex on Thursday afternoon.
Freshman
Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) scored a pair of first quarter goals and an early tally in the second gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead. Plattsburgh State got one back, but the Panthers responded with back-to-back scores to take a 5-1 lead into halftime.
Plattsburgh turned up the pressure in the second half but McNichols was up to the task, making five saves in the third and another eight in the fourth quarter to preserve the lead.
Plymouth State improves to 5-1 on the season, while the Cardinals slip to 2-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 9, Plattsburgh State 5
- Plymouth State (5-1)
- Plattsburgh State (2-3)
How it Happened:
- Hunt converted twice in the opening period, first with a man-up tally midway through the frame, and again with five minutes remaining off a feed from Dolcimascolo to put the Panthers up 2-0.
- Junior Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) made it a 3-0 lead early in the second and the margin would remain until late in the quarter.
- The Cardinals broke through with 4:10 left before halftime, but senior Karl Flinter (Pittsburgh, Pa.) found the back of the cage two minutes later and Dolcimascolo made it 5-1 with his first of the day with just over a minute remaining.
- Plattsburgh attempted to rally in the third with an early goal to make it a three-goal game, but Fay notched back-to-back goals just nine seconds apart as PSU went up 7-2.
- The Cardinals added a man-up goal in the closing seconds to trail 7-3 entering the fourth quarter.
- Plattsburgh State cut into the deficit 3:26 into the fourth, but Hunt answered less than a minute later. Dolcimascolo pushed the margin to 9-4 midway through the frame.
- The Cardinals continued to attack, but McNichols was stingy as the hosts could only score once more.
By the Numbers:
- McNichols' 17 saves were one higher than his previous career best. He recorded 16 stops in a setback to Wheaton last year and again a win over UNE in this year's season opener.
- Dolcimascolo finished with two goals and three assists. He leads the Panthers with 26 points on the year.
- Fay and Hunt each scored three times. Fay's 21 goals top the Panthers.
- Flinter added a goal and an assist, while junior Nolan Burke (Worcester, Mass.) had a pair of assists. Sophomore Ryan Jones (Tolland, Conn.) also added an assist.
- Junior Marc Hirshom (East Walpole, Mass.) had team-highs of five ground balls and four caused turnovers. Freshman Zach Marvel (Raynham, Mass.) and sophomore Leif Charbonneau (Grafton, Mass.) added four apiece ground balls apiece, while sophomore Joey Loeber (Chelmsford, Mass.) chipped in three caused turnovers.
- Plattsburgh held a 37-36 edge in shots and a 31-26 advantage in ground balls.
- Plymouth State was 22-for-25 on clear attempts and caused ten turnovers.
- Each team went 1-for-4 in extra man opportunities.
- Plattsburgh State had won the five previous matchups between the two teams.
Up Next:
- The Panthers visit New England College on Monday (Mar. 20) for a non-conference tilt with the Pilgrims. The opening faceoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
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