PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal midway through the second overtime to lift Plymouth State University to a 9-8 win over Curry College in non-conference men's lacrosse action at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
Hunt went up high to snag a pass from behind the cage from junior
Matt Miner (Chelmsford, Mass.) and, in one motion, fired a shot to the bottom right corner as he was being hit from behind to secure the win.
The game-winner was Hunt's third goal of the game, capping off a wild back-and-forth contest. Plymouth State scored three times in the final 5:36 of the second period to take a 5-3 lead into halftime. The two-goal margin was the largest of the game.
Curry pulled even with the first two goals of the third, but Hunt's second of the game gave PSU a 7-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Colonels tied the game with 2:40 left in regulation and neither team was able to break through in the first overtime.
PSU controlled the faceoff and fired a shot that was saved. Miner forced a turnover on Curry's ensuing clear attempt, ultimately leading to Hunt's heroics.
Plymouth State jumps to 3-0 while the Colonels fall to 1-4.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 9, Curry 8 (2OT)
- Plymouth State (3-0)
- Curry (1-4)
How it Happened:
- The visitors got on the board first just under two minutes into the game, but senior Crosby Fay (Waterville Valley, N.H.) and graduate student Alex Hawkom (Manchester, N.H.) scored consecutive goals as PSU took a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
- The Colonels leapfrogged back in front with a pair of goals to start the second, but Hunt converted a man-up chance to tie the game with 5:36 before halftime. Miner followed to put PSU in front before junior Joey Loeber (Chelmsford, Mass.) gave the Panthers a 5-3 lead after running the length of the field for his first goal of the year.
- Curry battled back with the first two scores of the third quarter to square things at 5-5.
- Miner scored during a man-up situation with 5:53 left in the frame, but Curry pulled even again just 90 seconds later.
- Hunt restored the Panthers' advantage, 7-6, as he beat the Curry goalie with just seven seconds left in the quarter.
- Curry tied the game again in the opening minute of the fourth.
- Junior Ryan Jones (Tolland, Conn.) put the Panthers in front with his ninth of the year, but Curry again tied the game in just 2:40 to play.
- Both goalies came up with key saves in the first overtime to preserve the tie.
- Miner fired a quick pass to Hunt from behind the cage midway through the second overtime. Hunt made the catch and whipped a shot as he was hit from behind, securing the PSU victory.
By the Numbers:
- Hunt finished with three goals and an assist, while Miner added two goals and two helpers.
- Hawkom also posted a multi-point game with a goal and an assist, while also snagging five ground balls.
- Freshman Aiden Renner (Phillipsburg, N.J.) went 12-of-15 on faceoffs with a game-high seven ground balls.
- Seniors Marc Hirshom (Walpole, Mass.) and Jack Bonazzoli (Clinton, Mass.) anchored the defense as the duo combined for eight ground balls and seven caused turnovers.
- Senior Owen McNichols (Manchester, N.H.) made ten saves to pick up the win.
- Plymouth State held a 53-28 edge in shots, but just a 22-18 advantage in shots on goal.
- Curry went 21-of-23 on clear attempts, while the Panthers were 22-for-26.
- PSU won the ground ball battle, 38-26, and won 15-of-21 faceoffs.
- The Panthers improve to 5-3 against Curry.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Rivier on Wednesday (Mar. 6) for a 6:00 p.m. clash with the Raiders.
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