STANDISH, Maine – Juniors
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) and
Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.) teamed up for nine goals as Plymouth State University opened its season with a 14-8 win over Saint Joseph's College in non-conference women's lacrosse action at SJC Athletics Complex on Wednesday evening.
The Panthers exploded out of the gates with four goals in the opening five minutes, including three from Hunt alone, as PSU held a comfortable 7-1 lead after one. Plymouth State extended the margin to 11-2 at the break and never looked back.
The hosts attempted to battle back with the first five goals of the second half to pull within 11-7, but Donovan helped erase thoughts of a comeback with her fifth goal of the night as PSU held on for the win.
Plymouth State starts the season at 1-0, while the Monks move to 1-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 14, St. Joe's 8
- Plymouth State (1-0)
- St. Joe's (1-1)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State wasted little time getting on the board as senior Elle Moshier (Stratford, Conn.), defending Little East Conference (LEC) Tournament MVP, gave the Panthers the early lead 2:03 into the game.
- Hunt followed with three straight goals in just 42 seconds and Donovan converted during a player-up situation to make it 5-0 with 9:17 still left in the first.
- The hosts got one back, but Donovan closed the quarter with another two scores in the final 1:18 to make it 7-1 after one.
- Hunt notched her fourth of the evening to open the second quarter, before senior Tarryn O'Brien (Weymouth, Mass.) and Donovan also found the back of the cage. Senior Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) joined the scoring parade with 5:52 left before halftime as the lead ballooned to 11-1.
- St. Joe's attempted to mount a rally, scoring the final goal of the second quarter before striking for all four tallies of the third quarter.
- The hosts scored again in the opening 38 seconds of the fourth to cut the lead to 11-7, but Donovan made good on another woman-up situation to pump the brakes on a Monks' rally.
- Saint Joseph's responded with a woman-up goal with seven minutes remaining, but O'Brien and junior Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) closed out the season-opening victory with a pair of goals to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- O'Brien recorded a game-high six points on two goals and four assists.
- Donovan poured in five goals, while Hunt added four goals and an assist. It was Donovan's second career five-goal game, with the other coming during last year's LEC Tournament semifinal win over Southern Maine.
- Junior Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made six saves in the win.
- Stowell, who set a school record for draw controls in a season last spring, pulled down a game-high seven to go with seven ground balls.
- Hunt and senior Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.) posted three ground balls and two caused turnovers each.
- Plymouth State held a 31-25 advantage in shots, including a 15-3 barrage in the first quarter.
- PSU went 15-of-23 in clear attempts, while the Monks were 20-of-27.
- Ground balls were even at 25 apiece.
- PSU controlled the draw, winning 19-of-26 draw controls, while the Panthers were a perfect 7-of-7 in free position shots.
- The Panthers are 2-0 against St. Joe's with both meetings coming the last two years.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Emmanuel in the home opener on Friday (Mar. 1). Opening draw is set for 4:00 p.m. on Panther Field.
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