DANBURY, Conn. –The Plymouth State University men's soccer team fell to the Western Connecticut State University Wolves, 2-1, in a Little East Conference men's soccer match at the Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.
In a fast-paced matchup, both teams created several chances throughout the match providing an entertaining contest on the sunny afternoon. Senior
Sondre Asheim (Klepp, Norway) scored the lone goal for the Panthers on a penalty kick, his second goal of the season from the mark. The Wolves were awarded a penalty of their own in the second half which proved to be the difference in the match.
Plymouth State moves to 4-5-2 (1-2-1 LEC), while the Wolves improve to 7-3-2 (3-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, WestConn 2
- Plymouth State (4-5-2, 1-2-1 LEC)
- WestConn (7-3-2, 3-0-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Wolves struck first to go up 1-0 in the 27th minute on a cheeky turn at the top of the box and blast that found the upper corner of the Panthers' net.
- Asheim tied the match at 1-1 in the 42nd minute on a converted penalty, drawing the Panthers even just before halftime.
- WestConn controlled first half possession, but the teams remained level as the halftime whistle blew.
- As fate would have it, the referee awarded WestConn a penalty in the 57th minute of action. The Wolves finished the penalty on the same side of the pitch where Plymouth State scored moments before to regain the lead, 2-1.
- Tensioned heightened as Plymouth State pushed forward to score an equalizer and the Wolves took every attempt to disrupt the Panthers' attack and slow things down.
- PSU was relentless in the final ten minutes looking to come from behind for the second time.
- The Panthers had their last chance to steal a point and tie things back at two with 51 seconds to play, but the ball whistled past the far post as the Wolves snuck away with the conference win.
By the Numbers:
- WestConn outshot the Panthers, 25-13.
- Each team recorded seven shots on goal.
- The Wolves' goalkeeper recorded six saves, while senior Nicolas Cornejo Mora (Durham, N.H.) registered five.
- WestConn earned six corner kicks to one for the Panthers.
- The Wolves have won each of the last eight matchups, while the Panthers hold the head-to-head advantage, 19-16-3, dating back to 1989.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State remains on the road as the team heads to Curry College on Tuesday (Oct. 8). Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Water M. Katz Field.
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