WORCESTER, Mass. – Senior
Robyn Grant (Airdrie, Alberta) and junior
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) both scored and sophomore
Karlee Lehner (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) made 24 saves as Plymouth State University rallied past Anna Maria College, 2-1, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's ice hockey game at Buffone Arena on Friday night.
Anna Maria grabbed an early lead and would stay in front into the second period. Grant evened the score with a solid second effort during a power play less than three minutes in and Porrello lifted PSU into the lead with a perfectly placed shot just over the goaltender's shoulder about four minutes later.
The Panthers worked hard to preserve the one-goal advantage through the final 20 minutes, successfully killing off two penalties, while Lehner made nine big saves to secure the victory.
Plymouth State wins its third straight to move to 5-2-0 (2-0-0 MASCAC), while the AMCATS slip to 0-5-0 (0-3-0 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Anna Maria 1
- Plymouth State (5-2-0, 2-0-0 MASCAC)
- Anna Maria (0-5-0, 0-3-0 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Anna Maria snagged an early lead at the 5:01 mark of the opening period on a one-timer during a 2-on-1 break.
- The hosts maintained the lead into the first intermission.
- PSU pulled even with a power play goal 2:53 into the second period. Sophomore Jamie Steinmetz (Madison, Wis.) carried the puck into the right corner, then dropped it off for Grant, who skated along the goal line. Her backhanded bid was blocked down by the Anna Maria goaltender, but Grant knocked in the rebound to make it 1-1.
- Junior Jacqueline Martin (Smithfield, R.I.) worked the puck to graduate student Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) at the point just over four minutes later. McNeil hit Porrello on the right side, who skated to the dot before rifling an absolute snipe just over the right shoulder of the goalie for the lead.
- Lehner made nine saves, and the Panthers successfully killed off two penalties in the third period to secure the win.
By the Numbers:
- Porrello leads the team with six goals and eight points.
- Grant's marker was her first of the season.
- McNeil notched a two-point game with a pair of assists.
- Lehner extends her fantastic start between the pipes, improving to 4-0-0 with a 0.75 GAA and .967 save percentage.
- PSU's three-game winning streak is its longest since winning three straight during the 2019-20 season.
- The Panthers hold a 2-0-1 record against Anna Maria all time, earning a win in Hanaway Rink and a tie on the road in the most recent meeting in Nov. 2021.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Salem State in non-conference action on Monday (Nov. 25). Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m.
– 30 –
