DANBURY, Conn. – Sophomore
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) scored three times but Western Connecticut State University used a huge second quarter to get past Plymouth State University, 19-9, in a battle for the top spot in the Little East Conference (LEC) at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday.
In a battle of unbeaten conference teams, the Wolves outscored PSU by a 9-2 margin in the second quarter to move into sole possession of first place in the regular season standings. The game was a rematch of the last two LEC Tournament finals, both won by WestConn.
Sophomore
Maddie Hunt (Acton, Mass.) tied the game at 4-4 midway through the second quarter, but the hosts went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-4 lead into halftime. The Panthers got as close as six, 12-6, with back-to-back goals in the third quarter, but WestConn used a 7-0 spurt to go up big and the Panthers were unable to rally.
Plymouth State slips to 8-6 (4-1 LEC), while the Wolves jump to 12-2 (5-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 9, WestConn 19
- Plymouth State (8-6, 4-1 LEC)
- WestConn (12-2, 5-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The hosts took the lead in the opening two minutes and the game remained 1-0 over the next seven.
- Donovan took advantage of a WestConn card to score her 30th goal of the season and senior Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) followed as PSU took a 2-1 lead.
- WestConn used a player-up goal in the final minute to even the score at 2-2 after one.
- Senior Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.) gave the Panthers a short-lived lead, but the Wolves answered with consecutive goals to leapfrog in front, 4-3, with 9:17 left in the half.
- Hunt pulled PSU even a minute later, but the hosts scored each of the next seven goals to soar into the break with an 11-4 advantage.
- After a WestConn score, Croke and Donovan answered for the Panthers to pull within 12-6, but the hosts put the game out of reach with another 7-0 surge.
- PSU tried to rally late, with sophomore Elle Moshier (Stratford, Conn.), Donovan and senior Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) all finding the back of the cage, but the margin was too big to overcome.
By the Numbers:
- Donovan finished with three goals and went 2-for-3 in free position attempts.
- Santom added a goal and two assists with a team-high four ground balls, while Croke scored a pair of goals and scooped up two ground balls.
- Thomas chipped in with a goal and an assist.
- WestConn held a 35-20 advantage in shots.
- The Panthers went 14-for-16 in clear attempts.
- Plymouth State is 17-10 against the Wolves all time, but WestConn has won each of the past five matchups, including the last two LEC Tournament championship games.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to Castleton on Wednesday (Apr. 26) for a 7:00 p.m. meeting with the Spartans.
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