GORHAM, Maine – Junior
Libby Carter (Franklin, Mass.) potted a short-handed goal in the second period, but the University of Southern Maine responded with three unanswered tallies to top Plymouth State University, 3-1, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey game at USM Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Carter and freshman
Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.) skated in together for a 2-on-1 breakout as the Panthers were killing off a penalty. The duo worked the puck perfectly and Carter banged home the rebound off Gerrie's shot for a 1-0 lead.
The Huskies rallied to tie the game late in the second period, before going ahead with a short-handed goal of their own in the third. The hosts tacked on an insurance marker midway through the frame to account for the final score.
Plymouth State moves to 6-17-0 (6-10-0 NEHC), while Southern Maine improves to 12-9-2 and 9-5-2 in the NEHC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Southern Maine 3
- Plymouth State (6-17-0, 6-10-0 NEHC)
- Southern Maine (12-9-2, 9-5-2 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Both teams struggled to generate scoring chances in the opening period as the two sides combined for just nine shots.
- Carter picked up the puck off a defensive zone faceoff and skated up the right side with Gerrie to her left. Carter drew the defender before sliding a pass to Gerrie in the slot, but Gerrie's backhand was kicked aside. Carter was there to pick up the rebound, though, tapping it into the open net at the 6:59 mark of the second.
- Southern Maine pulled even eight minutes later when a stretch pass led a Huskies' skater behind the defense for a 1-on-0 breakaway.
- Plymouth State went on the power play seven minutes into the third. The Huskies intercepted a pass and launched a long pass off the glass into the offensive zone for a 2-on-1 break and Southern Maine converted the chance to go ahead, 2-1.
- USM tacked on an insurance goal with 9:12 left to play and Plymouth State was unable to rally.
By the Numbers:
- Carter's tally was her fourth of the year, while Gerrie notched her fourth assist.
- Freshman Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) made 28 saves in the setback.
- Plymouth State dominated the faceoff circle, winning 36-of-59 (61%). Sophomore Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) went 15-4 to lead the team.
- The Panthers blocked 14 shots as a team.
- USM held a slight 31-27 advantage in shots.
- Neither team was successful on the power play. PSU finished 0-for-3, while the Huskies were 0-for-2.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host Elmira on Friday (Feb. 9) in the final weekend of the regular season.
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