NASHUA, N.H. – Senior
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) recorded a goal and two assists while classmate
Mackenzie Labrie (Canaan, N.H.) chipped in with a goal and an assist to pace the Plymouth State University field hockey team to a 4-1 win over Rivier University in a non-conference contest at Joanne Merrill Field on Tuesday evening.
After a scoreless first quarter that saw both teams with scoring chances, Labrie was able to cash in on her seventh of the season 3:48 into the second with Healey picking up the assist. The hosts evened the score with just over five minutes remaining in the half, sending the game to the break deadlocked at 1-1.
The Panthers jumped ahead early in the third quarter when graduate student
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) notched her first of the season, giving PSU all the breathing room it would need. The Panthers continued to control play but couldn't extend the margin until early in the final frame, when PSU exploded for two goals in less than two minutes. Healey scored to keep pace with Labrie for her seventh of the year, and senior
Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) added her fifth of the year to cap the scoring, with Labrie drawing the assist.
The Raiders made one last push to close the gap, but senior goalkeeper
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made six of her nine saves in the final stanza to preserve the win.
Plymouth State improves to 4-0 and is off to its best start since the 2011 squad won its first seven games. Rivier falls to 1-4.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 4, Rivier 1
- Plymouth State (4-0)
- Rivier (1-4)
How it Happened:
- Both teams traded scoring opportunities in the first quarter, but neither team could break through.
- Labrie broke the scoreless tie with her seventh of the season 3:48 into the second quarter.
- The Raiders evened the score shortly after, making it a 1-1 game at the half.
- PSU took the lead early in the third on Salzillo's first of the year.
- Healey added her seventh of the season just 1:54 into the fourth quarter, and Comeau buried her fifth of the year less than two minutes later to pad the lead.
- Antonucci made six of her nine saves in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
- The Panthers cruised to the 4-1 victory.
By the Numbers:
- Healey and Labrie are tied for the team lead with seven goals apiece. Both have scored in every game this season.
- Salzillo's goal was her first of the year.
- Antonucci made nine saves to improve to 3-0 on the year.
- The season-opening, four-game winning streak is the longest since the 2011 team won its first seven games. That team finished the year with a program-best 18-4 mark.
- This was just the second meeting between the two teams. Plymouth State topped the Raiders last fall by a 6-2 margin.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Husson on Sunday (Sept. 24) for a non-conference clash with the Eagles at 1:00 p.m.
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