PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Ella Fraser (Nottingham, N.H.) poured in three goals in just 44 minutes of action as Plymouth State University roared past Salem State University, 6-2, in a non-conference women's soccer match on Arold Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Fraser scored twice in just 1:21 seconds in the opening seven minutes as the Panthers set an early tone. Salem State cut into the margin in the 30th minute, but junior
Olivia Howard (Berwick, Maine) answered back to make it 3-1 heading into halftime.
With the score 4-2, Fraser tallied her third of the afternoon in the 66th minute before junior
Nevaeh Petruzzi (Newmarket, N.H.) capped the scoring in the 86th minute.
Plymouth State improves to 6-10-0, while the Vikings dip to 4-9-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 6, Salem State 2
- Plymouth State (6-10-0)
- Salem State (4-9-3)
How it Happened:
- Fraser opened the scoring in the sixth minute when she headed a clearance ball up field before outrunning the defense for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She made a touch around the Vikings' goalie and tapped the ball into the open net for the early lead.
- Just over a minute later, Petruzzi played a through ball to Fraser into the box. Fraser cut past a defender and blasted a shot to the top right corner to make it 2-0.
- Salem State got one back in the 30th minute, but the Panthers answered right back less than seven minutes later. Senior Tindra Bergstrand (Taby, Sweden) played a ball to space just outside the box, where settled and blasted a left-footed shot off the right post and in and PSU carried a 3-1 lead into the break.
- The lead grew to 4-1 early in the second half when a Salem State clearance attempt deflected off the back of the goalie and into the net in the 49th minute.
- The visitors cut the deficit to 4-2 on a beautifully struck free kick from 25 yards out that drifted just over the head of the PSU keeper.
- Bergstrand and Fraser connected once again in the 66th minute to increase the lead to 5-2. Bergstrand won a contested ball off a Salem State goal kick, then found Fraser slipping behind a defender to the right side, who calmly tucked a shot inside the left post.
- Petruzzi closed the scoring in the 86th minute. Freshman Kaylee Moore (Nashua, N.H.) played a ball into open space at midfield and Petruzzi carried the ball past three defenders and into the box before sending a shot past the goalkeeper to account for the 6-2 final score.
By the Numbers:
- Fraser's 11 goals are the most for the Panthers in a year since Mallory Lloyd notched 11 during the 2019 season.
- Petruzzi's goal was her eighth of the year.
- Bergstrand picked up a pair of assists and is tied for the team lead with four.
- Howard added her fourth tally of the season.
- Plymouth State held a 24-11 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in corners.
- Freshman Christa Giansiracusa (Tewksbury, Mass.) and sophomore Sydney Rowe (Cañon City, Colo.) split time in goal. Rowe finished with five saves in the second half, while each surrendered a single goal.
- Plymouth State improves to 19-16-2 in the all-time series. PSU is 4-0-1 since 2019.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to UMass Dartmouth for a huge Little East Conference matchup on Friday (Nov. 1). The two teams are tied for the final playoff spot, with the winner assured the sixth seed for the LEC Tournament. Plymouth State could still reach the postseason with a tie and some help. Opening kick is set for 7:00 p.m.
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