PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Graduate student
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) and senior
Jess Couture (Dover, N.H.) scored early goals, but Keene State College rallied to top Plymouth State University, 3-2, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams started the game with great pace and playmaking. The Panthers broke the scoreless tie when Salzillo fired home a shot near the end of the first quarter for a 1-0 lead. In the second quarter, PSU drew a penalty corner and sophomore
Abigale Bsullak (Poland, Maine) sent a pass to Couture, who tipped it in for her first of the year to extend the lead to 2-0.
Keene State got one back before the end of the quarter to cut the margin to 2-1 heading into halftime. The third quarter started with the Owls pushing back and applying constant pressure. Graduate student
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made multiple point-blank saves, but the Owls took advantage of some friendly bounces to move into the lead, 3-2, at the end of the third.
PSU tilted the field back in its favor in the fourth quarter, but the Keene State defense was equal to the task, pulling two balls off the goal line to hold on for the one-goal win.
Plymouth State slips to 5-6 (1-1 LEC), while the Owls jump to 12-2 (3-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Keene State 3
- Plymouth State (5-6, 1-1 LEC)
- Keene State (12-2, 3-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Both teams started with great pace as the defenses for both sides made key early stops.
- Salzillo found the back of the net near the end of the first quarter for a 1-0 PSU lead.
- The Panthers kept the pressure on as the second quarter started.
- Bsullak received a pass off a penalty corner and sent a shot through traffic, where Couture tipped it in for her first of the season to double the lead.
- Keene State got one back before the end of the second quarter to make it 2-1 at halftime.
- The Owls came out of the break putting heavy pressure on the PSU defense.
- Antonucci made two key stops to keep the Panthers in front, but late in the third the Owls took advantage of a breakdown to tie the game at 2-2.
- Moments later, PSU appeared to have the Owls pinned in their zone, but Keene State fired the ball out of trouble and down field for a fastbreak chance.
- Antonucci stopped the first shot, but KSC deposited the rebound into the cage for the 3-2 lead.
- PSU pressured throughout the fourth quarter but couldn't find the back of the net.
- The Owls held on the rest of the way for the 3-2 win.
By the Numbers:
- Couture's goal was the first of her career.
- Salzillo notched her fourth goal of the season.
- Antonucci finished with five saves.
- Plymouth State held a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal.
- Keene State has been a thorn in the Panthers' side, posting a 39-14 record in the all-time series.
Up Next:
- The Panthers remain at home next Saturday (Oct. 19) for a noon contest with Husson.
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