PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Camryn Loomis (Seekonk, Mass.) scooped up a clutch ground ball and fired an outlet to start a successful clear in the final minute of play to help Plymouth State University hold off the University of Southern Maine, 13-12, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's lacrosse game at Panther Field on Tuesday evening.
The Panthers used three straight goals late in the first quarter to take a 5-2 lead, but Southern Maine used a 4-1 spurt in the second to head into halftime tied at 6-6.
PSU scored four of the first five goals of the third quarter to pull away, 10-7, but once again the Huskies had the answer, tying the game in the final minute of the third.
Sophomore
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) put the Panthers ahead for good, sparking a 3-0 spurt, but USM battled back once again to pull within 13-12 with just over two minutes remaining. The Huskies won the subsequent draw and used a timeout to set up the offense. USM committed a costly turnover, though, and Loomis was able to control the loose ball, dodge through a trio of defenders and fire an outlet pass up the sideline. PSU converted the clear attempt and ran out the clock to stay unbeaten in conference play.
Plymouth State improves to 8-5 (4-0 LEC), while the Huskies fall to 7-7 and 3-1 in LEC play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 13, Southern Maine 12
- Plymouth State (8-5, 4-0 LEC)
- Southern Maine (7-7, 3-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Sophomore Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) and senior Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) got the Panthers out to a 2-0 lead in the opening four minutes.
- The Huskies answered with back-to-back goals to pull even midway through the frame, but PSU responded. Senior Oliva Croke (Norwell, Mass.) put the hosts back in front and sophomore Maddie Hunt (Acton, Mass.) scored twice just 30 seconds apart as the Panthers took a 5-2 lead after one.
- Southern Maine scored early in the second and the score remained 5-3 until midway through the frame. Donovan notched her first of the game, but the Huskies responded with three straight and the game went into halftime deadlocked at 6-6.
- Croke found the back of the cage to spark a 3-0 run with senior Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.) and Donovan scoring in the run. Southern Maine got one back, but junior Tarryn O'Brien (Weymouth, Mass.) answered for a 10-7 lead with eight minutes left in the frame.
- Once again, the Huskies battled back, using another 3-0 spurt to even the score at 10-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
- Donovan and Croke scored 48 seconds apart and Thomas made it 13-10 with just over eight minutes remaining, but once again the visitors responded, cutting the deficit to 13-12 with 2:09 on the clock.
- Southern Maine won the ensuing draw control but turned it over and Loomis corralled the loose ball to preserve the Panthers' victory.
By the Numbers:
- Donovan and Croke finished with three goals and two assists apiece.
- Hunt and Thomas tallied two goals each, with Hunt adding an assist.
- Hunt led all players with seven draw controls, while Stowell grabbed six.
- Freshman Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made nine saves to pick up the win.
- USM held a 29-26 edge in shots.
- Five different Panthers recorded caused turnovers.
- Plymouth State improves to 22-3 against the Huskies.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State squares off against WestConn in a rematch of the last two LEC Tournament Championship games on Saturday (Apr. 22). Opening draw at Westside Athletic Complex is set for 1:00 p.m.
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