KEENE, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's soccer team defeated the Keene State College Owls, 2-1, in Little East Conference (LEC) action at Dr. Ron Butcher Field on Wednesday night.
After facing a medley of shots in the opening thirty minutes, it was the Panthers who broke through first on a goal by sophomore
Ella Fraser (Nottingham, N.H.), her eighth of the campaign. Junior
Emily Wilson (Salem, N.H.) doubled the advantage (2-0) on a headed goal just before halftime.
Both Plymouth State goals were awarded a rare double assist, as senior
Tindra Bergstrand (Taby, Sweden) registered an assist on both goals, while juniors
Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) and
Nevaeh Petruzzi (Newmarket, N.H.) were given one assist each. Freshman goalkeeper
Christa Giansiracusa (Tewksbury, Mass.) made six saves on the evening.
The Panthers leapfrog their in-state opponent in the LEC standings. Plymouth State currently sits in fifth place in the Little East and now controls its own destiny with two conference games remaining on the schedule.
PSU goes to 5-8-0 (2-4-0 LEC), while Keene State falls to 5-8-2 (1-4-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Keene State 1
- Plymouth State (5-8-0, 2-4-0 LEC)
- Keene State (5-8-2, 1-4-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers recorded their first shot of the game when junior Olivia Howard (Berwick, Maine) attempted an outside effort that fell comfortably into the arms of the opposing goalkeeper.
- The majority of the first half was played in the middle of the field until in the 30th minute an Owls' forward broke through the Plymouth State back line on a breakaway. Giansiracusa came out and made strong save to keep things level at 0-0.
- A timely goal by Fraser put the Panthers ahead 1-0 in the 35th minute spinning the momentum back in Plymouth's favor.
- Wilson doubled the Plymouth advantage, 2-0, in the 37th minute off a header over the opposing goalkeeper. The Panthers would take the two-goal lead into halftime.
- The Owls wasted no time to cut into the deficit, scoring on the first chance of the second half to bring the match to 2-1 in the 47th minute.
- Keene State nearly tied the game three minutes later with two goal-line opportunities that were cleared by the Plymouth State defense to maintain the narrow margin.
- The Panthers' defense held strong, holding off the Owls' attack for the crucial conference victory.
By the Numbers:
- KSC outshot the Panthers, 17-6.
- Giansiracusa recorded six saves.
- Corner kicks were in the Owls' favor, 8-6.
- Fraser is tied for the fourth-most goals in the LEC with eight.
- The Panthers hadn't defeated both WestConn and Keene State in the same season since the ECAC championship team in 1995.
- It was only the second away win at Keene State in 24 attempts.
- PSU's last victory against the Owls came in the 2018 season.
- The Panthers have two LEC matches remaining on the schedule.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns home to face LEC opponent Eastern Connecticut State University for a Senior Day matchup on Saturday (Oct. 19) at Arold Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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