GORHAM, Maine. – The Plymouth State University women's soccer team fell to the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 6-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) match on Hannaford Field on Wednesday night.
The undefeated Southern Maine team continued to make its recent mark on the LEC after being crowned Little East champions last season, proving why they were picked as preseason favorites this year. Plymouth State created multiple chances throughout the contest but were unable to convert to keep the game close.
Graduate student
McKayla Palhof (Loudon, N.H.) kept the Huskies on their toes, putting forward a solid individual effort with four of the team's eight shots (three on goal) and scoring the lone goal for the Panthers. Sophomore
Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) added two shots in the losing effort.
Plymouth State falls to 1-5-2 (0-3-0 LEC) on the season, as Southern Maine improves to 8-0-1 (3-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Southern Maine 6
- Plymouth State (1-5-2, 0-3-0 LEC)
- Southern Maine (8-0-1, 3-0-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- USM opened the campaign on a mistimed cross that found the foot of a Huskies' player for a tap in four minutes into the match.
- The Huskies doubled their lead in the 12th minute on a looping cross that rose over the head of freshman goalkeeper Drea Oswell (Stafford Springs, Conn.) and landed on the foot of the USM striker for the volley home.
- PSU fell behind by a third goal in 24th minute as the Huskies continued to mount the pressure on the Panthers' back line.
- Halftime score went to the Huskies, 4-0.
- Palhof ripped home the Panthers' lone goal from outside the box to beat the keeper near side in the 79th minute to ruin any shutout hopes for the Huskies.
- The Panthers had two goals called back, one on an offside call in the 38th minute, and another on a called handball in the beginning of the second half.
- USM added two goals in the second half to close out the victory.
By the Numbers:
- USM outshot the Panthers 24-8 in the contest.
- The Panthers recorded three corner kicks to the Huskies' two.
- Shots on goal were in USM's favor, 11-3.
- Plymouth State is 5-5-0 in the last ten matchups against the Huskies.
- PSU still holds the head-to-head record of 24-13-1 dating back to 1986.
Up Next:
- The Panthers continue LEC play on the road as they travel to the Wolves of Western Connecticut State University on Saturday (Sept. 30) for a 10:00 a.m. kickoff at the Westside Athletic Complex.
– 30 –
