PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored 17 seconds into the second overtime period and classmate
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made a season-high 13 saves as Plymouth State University knocked off Colby-Sawyer College, 3-2, in a non-conference field hockey game at Panther Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but neither team was able to crack the scoring. With just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter the Panthers broke it open with two goals in a span of only 39 seconds. Graduate student
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) scored when her shot from just inside the shooting circle hit a Charger stick and went up and over the goalkeeper, and seconds later senior
Mackenzie Labrie (Canaan, N.H.) found a rebound off the stick of classmate
Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) and knocked in her ninth of the season to make it 2-0.
The Panthers came out of the gates quickly to start the third quarter and nearly scored on their first offensive possession. Colby-Sawyer was able to hold them off and moments later the Chargers scored off a penalty corner to cut the PSU lead in half. Antonucci and the Panthers' defense was up to the task as the Chargers kept the pressure on and the third quarter ended with Plymouth State holding a 2-1 lead.
Colby-Sawyer tied the game 3:43 into the fourth quarter when it capitalized on a chance off a penalty corner and the score remained the same to set the stage for an exciting overtime.
The visitors had two glorious chances in the early stages, but Antonucci stood tall and denied both opportunities. PSU had chances of its own when Comeau and Healey nearly connected, but a foul was called to negate the game-winning goal. The duo nearly connected again during a 2-on-1 chance, but the ball was just out of reach and snuck wide.
Plymouth State got the ball to open the second overtime and Comeau exploded through the Chargers' defense and ripped a shot off the left post. Healey came charging in on the weak side and slammed home the rebound for the thrilling 3-2 win.
Plymouth State improves to 5-1, while Colby-Sawyer slips to 6-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Colby-Sawyer 2 (2OT)
- Plymouth State (5-1)
- Colby-Sawyer (6-2)
How it Happened:
- Neither team could solve its opponent in the first quarter as the game was scoreless after one.
- With just over five minutes to go in the second, Salzillo scored to break the tie.
- Only 39 seconds later Labrie found a rebound off a Comeau tip and slammed in her ninth of the year.
- The first half ended with PSU leading 2-0.
- Plymouth State nearly scored on its first offensive possession to start the second half.
- Colby-Sawyer scored off a penalty corner to cut the Panthers' lead in half.
- The Chargers tied the game 3:43 into the fourth quarter, again off a penalty corner.
- Regulation ended with the score knotted at 2-2.
- Both teams traded chances in the first OT period, but neither was able to cash in.
- Comeau ripped a shot off the post just 17 seconds into the second overtime. Healey found the rebound and slammed it in for her ninth of the season to give PSU a thrilling 3-2 win.
By the Numbers:
- Antonucci made a season-high 13 saves in the win.
- Labrie and Healey scored their ninth and eighth goals of the season, respectively.
- Labrie extended her season-opening goal-scoring streak with at least one goal in every game this fall.
- Salzillo has scored in two of the last three games.
- PSU avenged its 4-3 overtime loss at Colby-Sawyer last season.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to WestConn on Saturday (Sept. 30) for its Little East Conference (LEC) opener against the Wolves. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.
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