Plymouth St. PLYMOUTH (7-1, 2-0)

WestConn WESTCONN (4-6, 1-2)

Plymouth St. PLYMOUTH

(7-1, 2-0)

Final

Sep. 30, 2023

WestConn WESTCONN

(4-6, 1-2)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	F
Plymouth St. PLYMOUTH	0	0	1	0	0	1	2
WestConn WESTCONN	0	0	0	1	0	0	1

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Field Hockey | 9/30/2023 6:51:00 PM | Craig Russell, Athletics Communications Assistant

FH: Healey the OT hero again, Panthers down WestConn

DANBURY, Conn. – Senior Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored her second overtime game-winner in as many games to help the Plymouth State University field hockey team outlast Western Connecticut State University, 2-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The first half didn't turn up any scoring on either side, though not for a lack of PSU opportunities as WestConn senior goaltender Kayla Hnasko (Raritan, N.J.) was sensational turning away all seven shots she faced.

The second half was all Plymouth State, but the Panthers' offense had trouble solving Hnasko. Nearly 11 minutes into the third quarter PSU finally got one through when senior Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.) dove for a rebound off the stick of freshman Abigale Bsullak (Poland, Maine), giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. The PSU defense was stellar in front of senior goalkeeper Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) all game, but the hosts were able to chip one in with under two minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime.

PSU had a glorious chance near the end of the first overtime period when Comeau and Healey went in on a 2-on-0. Comeau slid a pass toward Healey, but Hnasko made a diving save and knocked the ball away from the Panthers.

Plymouth State capped the game off when junior Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) stole a Wolves' clearing attempt and slipped a pass to Healey near the goal midway through the second overtime. Healey walked around the goalie and deposited her second overtime goal, and ninth of the season, to send PSU home with the 2-1 win.

Plymouth State improves to 6-1 (1-0 LEC), while WestConn drops to 4-5 (1-1 LEC).

The Basics:

Plymouth State 2, WestConn 1 (2OT)
- Plymouth State (6-1, 1-0 LEC)
- WestConn (4-5, 1-1 LEC)

How it Happened:

Hnasko was the story of the game for WestConn, keeping the Panthers off the board early.
Neither team was able to crack into the scoring in the first half.
PSU controlled much of the third quarter, outshooting the hosts 6-1 in the frame.
Bsullak took a shot that eluded Hnasko and Comeau dove for the rebound, giving PSU the 1-0 lead.
The Panthers' defense held the Wolves to only three shots on net during regulation.
WestConn's third shot found its way through Antonucci and the hosts tied it at 1-1 with under two minutes to go.
Comeau and Healey went on a 2-on-0 run in the first OT, but Hnasko knocked it away.
Stowell stole the ball in the second overtime and found Healey near the cage and she walked around the goaltender and slid the ball into the cage for the 2-1 win.

By the Numbers:

The contest was the Panthers' first LEC game of the campaign.
Comeau scored her sixth goal of the season.
Healey is tied for the team lead with nine goals.
Plymouth State held a convincing advantage in shots on goal (20-4).
Antonucci finished with four saves.
PSU improves to 16-3 against WestConn dating back to the 2005 season. Each of the Panthers' last two wins in Danbury came by a 2-1 margin in double overtime.

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