MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Freshman
Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) made 30-plus saves for the third time in four starts, but Wesleyan University got past Plymouth State University, 3-0, in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Spurrier-Snyder Rink on Tuesday afternoon.
Wilson was tested early and often, registering 12 stops in the opening frame and 15 in the middle stanza. The Cardinals were able to strike twice in the first period, sneaking a shot past a screened Wilson 8:44 into the contest, before doubling the lead with a power play goal late in the first.
Wilson and the PSU defense held strong in the middle stanza, while the Panthers had a flurry of shots early in the second, but Plymouth State was unable to light the lamp.
The hosts tacked on a final tally midway through the third to account for the final score.
Plymouth State slips to 3-13-0, while Wesleyan jumps to 7-5-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Wesleyan 3
- Plymouth State (3-13-0)
- Wesleyan (7-5-2)
How it Happened:
- The hosts took a first period lead when a shot from the blue line found its way through traffic at the 8:44 mark of the period.
- Plymouth State had a short-handed bid with seven minutes left when senior Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) knocked the puck free in the defensive zone and sophomore Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) won a footrace through the neutral zone for a breakaway bid. Cunningham made a double move, but her wrister to the top corner was knocked down.
- Wesleyan doubled the margin with a power play tally in the final two minutes.
- Plymouth State put some pressure on the Cardinals' defense early in the second period, culminating with a blast from the point off the stick of senior Mia Zaniboni (Braintree, Mass.) that was paddled aside.
- The Panthers' penalty kill unit and Wilson were stout to keep the deficit at 2-0 through the middle of the stanza.
- Wilson made a fabulous blocker save with four minutes left in the period, one of her 15 stops in the frame, as the score remained 2-0 heading into the third.
- The teams went up-and-down the ice in the final period, though the Wesleyan defense limited PSU's chances. The Panthers' best opportunity came roughly seven minutes in when Grant connected with freshman Lilli Warnock (Bernardsville, N.J.), who was streaking down the middle. Warnock got the feed in the high slot, but the Cardinals' goalie was able to corral the shot.
- Wesleyan capped the scoring at the 8:52 mark to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Wilson finished with 33 saves. She has recorded 30-plus stops in three of her four starts.
- PSU blocked nine shots, led by three from senior Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario).
- Warnock led the team with three shots.
- The Panthers' penalty kill unit held Wesleyan to 1-for-5 on the power play. The Cardinals were not whistled for a penalty.
- Plymouth State is still searching for its first win against the Cardinals, slipping to 0-8-0 all-time.
Up Next:
- The Panthers return to New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action this weekend with a home-and-home series against VTSU Castleton. PSU hosts the Spartans on Friday (Jan. 19) at 6:00 p.m., before making the trip to Castleton on Saturday (Jan. 20) for a 3:00 p.m. tilt.
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