KEENE, N.H. – Senior
Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored and graduate student
Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) made six saves, but second-seeded Keene State College rallied past third-seeded Plymouth State University, 4-2, in the semifinals of the Little East Conference (LEC) Tournament at Owl Athletic Complex on Thursday evening.
Plymouth State got on the board early when Healey buried her 15th goal of the season, but the Owls would answer back later in the quarter to tie the game at 1-1. Keene State tested the Panthers often in the second quarter, but Antonucci and the PSU defense was equal to the task and the game remained tied going into halftime.
Plymouth State tilted the field in its favor for much of the third quarter and senior
Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) found a loose ball and buried it into the cage in the final moments of the frame as the Panthers took a 2-1 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Owls came storming back in the final stanza, tying the game just over a minute into the quarter. Less than six minutes later, the hosts pulled in front for the first time. KSC tacked on an insurance goal a short while later for the 4-2 lead, then held on for the win.
Plymouth State has its season come to a close with a 10-9 record, while the Owls advance to face top-seeded VTSU Castleton for the LEC title on Saturday (Nov. 9).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Keene State 4
- Plymouth State (10-9)
- Keene State (15-6)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State got on the board first on Healey's 15th of the season for the early lead.
- Keene State answered back late in the quarter to tie the game at 1-1.
- Antonucci and the Panthers' defense were tested often in the second quarter, but they were able to keep the Owls from pulling in front as the game went into halftime deadlocked at 1-1.
- PSU tilted the field in its favor throughout the third and finally cashed in when Stowell tallied her sixth of the season for the 2-1 lead late in the frame.
- Keene State came storming back to tie the game in the early stages of the fourth quarter.
- The Owls pulled in front for the first time less than six minutes later.
- Antonucci made a great save with six minutes to play but KSC pounced on the rebound and added an insurance goal for the 4-2 lead.
- PSU pressed through the end but was unable to rally in the final minutes.
By the Numbers:
- Healey scored her 15th goal of the year. She ends her career with program records of 72 goals and 168 points.
- Stowell's goal was her sixth of the year.
- Antonucci finished the game with six saves.
- Plymouth State was playing in the semifinal round for the 18th time in program history.
- PSU finished with double-digit wins for the third straight year.
- Keene State also knocked the Panthers out of the LEC Tournament in last year's semifinal game.
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