PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Salem State University scored as time expired to slip past Plymouth State University, 3-2, in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Monday afternoon.
The Panthers got a power play goal from sophomore
Laura Castronova (Hauppauge, N.Y.) early in the third period to even the score at 2-2. The Panthers had a pair of fantastic chances later in the frame, but both times the Salem State goaltender was up to the challenge.
The game looked destined for overtime as the puck was sent into PSU's defensive corner with just seven seconds remaining, but the Vikings poked the puck free, and a quick pass in front was backhanded into the back of the net as the clock went to zero.
Plymouth State dips to 5-3-0, while the Vikings improve to 2-7-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Salem State 3
- Plymouth State (5-3-0)
- Salem State (2-7-0)
How it Happened:
- After getting dragged down from behind during a 1-on-0 breakaway in the first five minutes of action, senior Emily DeSimone (Norwood, Mass.) was granted a penalty shot. DeSimone skated in and fired a wrist shot inside the left post from the high slot for the 1-0 advantage just 4:30 into the game.
- A neutral zone turnover freed the Vikings for a 2-on-1 break and a shot from the low slot evened the game with 5:05 left in the period.
- Salem State went ahead with a power play goal midway through the second period when a centering feed was redirected past the Panthers' goalie to make it 2-1.
- Plymouth State opened the third period on the power play and PSU cashed in during the final seconds of the advantage. Freshman Gracie Menicci (Pepperell, Mass.) blasted a shot from the left side and Castronova was there to bury the rebound to make it 2-2 just 1:54 into the third.
- Sophomore Emma Lemery (Queensbury, N.Y.) intercepted a pass at center ice and skated through the defense for a clean shot from the high slot two minutes later, but the Vikings' goalie was able to clear the shot into the corner.
- The Salem State goalie made another great save to deny sophomore Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.), who had outskated the defense for a breakout chance at the midpoint of the period.
- Plymouth State continued to apply heavy zone throughout the remainder of the period but was unable to break through.
- Salem State dumped the puck into the corner in the final ten seconds. Plymouth State was unable to freeze the puck along the boards and a quick pass found an open skater in front for a backhander that snuck through as the clock expired.
By the Numbers:
- DeSimone's tally was her third of the season.
- Castronova is second on the team with five goals.
- Menicci registered her third assist of the year.
- Sophomore Karlee Lehner (Prine Albert, Saskatchewan) finished with 17 saves.
- Plymouth State outshot the Vikings by a 29-20 margin, including 15-6 in the third period.
- The two teams have played a number of tight games, with PSU holding a narrow 7-6-3 edge in the all-time series. Six of the 16 games have been decided by a single goal.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns from the Thanksgiving recess to visit MCLA a week from Friday (Dec. 6) in the final game of the fall semester. Puck drop is set for 6:00 p.m. at Peter Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink.
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