PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) and freshman
Lilli Warnock (Bernardsville, N.J.) each scored twice as Plymouth State University skated away with a key New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) win to top New England College, 4-2, in women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Friday evening.
With Plymouth State battling for a spot in the postseason, Porrello got the home team out to a strong start with a pair of goals just 12 seconds apart in the final minute of the first period. NEC cut the deficit in half early in the second and pulled even with a power play goal midway through the third.
Warnock responded with her first collegiate goal just three minutes later to put PSU up for good, and her empty netter in the final minute gave the Panthers three important points.
Plymouth State jumps to 5-15-0 and 5-8-0 in the NEHC, matching the most conference wins since the 2017-18 team won seven league games. The Pilgrims slide to 5-15-0 and 1-13-0 in conference play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 4, NEC 2
- Plymouth State (5-15-0, 5-8-0 NEHC)
- NEC (5-15-0, 1-13-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Junior Emily DeSimone (Norwood, Mass.) had the game's first good chance just over three minutes in when she took the puck from the corner, skated around a defender in the slot and put a shot on goal, but the NEC goaltender kicked it aside.
- Porrello stole the puck at center ice and skated in alone for a shorthanded bid two minutes later but was denied at the doorstep.
- Senior Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) was tested during a pair of Pilgrims' first period power plays but the netminder was up to the challenge.
- Plymouth State broke through with a flurry in the final minute. Porrello carried the puck in along the right side and flipped a wrist shot past the goalie with 28 seconds left in the frame.
- Porrello struck again 14 seconds later. PSU won the ensuing faceoff and senior Sophie Streed (Surry, N.H.) chipped the puck up the nearside boards. Porrello won the race to the puck and lifted a shot to the top left corner to double the lead.
- The Pilgrims cut into the margin at the 4:05 mark of the second during a 3-on-2 opportunity.
- NEC rode the momentum, pressuring the Panthers' defense with the puck slipping through the crease on multiple occasions but the Pilgrims couldn't pot the equalizer.
- Plymouth State answered with solid zone time in the final minutes but a blast from DeSimone in the high slot whistled just wide and Porrello couldn't get solid wood on a one-timer as the score remained 2-1 heading into the third period.
- The Panthers appeared to light the lamp early in the third, but the goal was waved off due to a high stick.
- NEC pulled even during a power play midway through the period.
- Plymouth State went right back in front just over three minutes later when Warnock banged home the rebound on the nearside post following a scrum of action in the crease.
- Warnock sealed the win when she pushed the puck into the empty net with 15.8 seconds remaining.
By the Numbers:
- Porrello posted her second two-goal game of the season. Her five tallies are second most on the team, while she leads the Panthers with 13 points.
- Warnock scored her first two collegiate goals.
- Sophomore Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) recorded a pair of assists.
- NEC held a narrow 40-34 edge in shots.
- The Pilgrims went 1-of-5 on the power play, while PSU was held scoreless in three chances.
- Julian finished with 38 saves.
- PSU's five conference wins match the most since the 2017-18 squad went 7-5-2 in league play.
- Plymouth State improves to 17-13-3 all-time against the Pilgrims. The Panthers are 15-1-1 since the 2016-17 season.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts #11 Norwich in another league game Saturday (Jan. 27). Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m.
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