PLYMOUTH, N.H. – #16 Bowdoin College raced out to a 5-0 first period lead and held off Plymouth State University, 19-2, in a non-conference women's lacrosse game at Panther Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Polar Bears won the opening draw and raced down field for an early lead. Bowdoin pushed the margin to 5-0 by the end of the first, but PSU's defense settled in during the second period, limiting the high-scoring Bowdoin offense to just two goals. Plymouth State broke through with a pair of goals in the third quarter, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Plymouth State slips to 3-3, while Bowdoin evens its record at 3-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 19, #16 Bowdoin 2
- Plymouth State (3-3)
- Bowdoin (3-3)
How it Happened:
- The Polar Bears raced out to a quick lead with a pair of goals in the opening two minutes.
- Bowdoin continued to pressure in the first quarter, extending the margin to 5-0 after one.
- After an early score by the visitors, the Plymouth State defense held strong to keep the Polar Bears off the scoreboard for the next ten minutes.
- Bowdoin converted a free position attempt late in the frame to take a 7-0 lead into halftime.
- Junior Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) buried a shot off a perfect feed from senior Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) in the opening minute of the third period to get Plymouth State on the board.
- The visitors answered with two straight before senior Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) notched her eighth goal of the season.
- Bowdoin closed the period with four straight to take a 13-2 advantage into the fourth quarter and the Panthers were unable to rally.
By the Numbers:
- Gaspa's goal was her fifth of the season, while Santom picked up her eighth point of the year with her assist.
- Croke's eighth goal of the season ties her for second-most on the team.
- Sophomore Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) led the Panthers with four draw controls, while freshman Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) grabbed a team-best four ground balls.
- Black finished with seven saves before giving way to junior Piper Sherbert (Freeport, Maine), who made five stops.
- Bowdoin held a 40-11 advantage in shots.
- The Polar Bears snagged 26 ground balls to PSU's 15.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Framingham State on Thursday (Mar. 23) for a 4:00 p.m. clash with the Rams in a final tune up prior to the start of conference play.
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