PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Caroline Coleman (Conway, N.H.) tallied the go-ahead goal late in the fourth quarter to lift Plymouth State University over Bridgewater State University, 3-2, in a non-conference field hockey matchup on Panther Field on Friday evening.
Both teams traded chances in the first quarter, but both defenses stood tall. Graduate student
Emma Lord (North Reading, Mass.) had a crucial takeaway as she stole the ball off the stick of a Bridgewater State player who found herself with a wide-open net. Lord sent the ball out of harm's way to keep the game scoreless after one.
The Bears struck first with a goal just under five minutes into the second quarter. The visitors added another tally less than a minute later to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Panthers poured on the offense for the remainder of the half but came up empty as the BSU goaltender shut the door each time and the score remained 2-0 at the half.
The second half began with the Bears carrying the play, but the PSU defense was up to the task and sent the ball up the field for the offense to go to work. Junior
Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.) found a loose ball and fired it through traffic to cut the deficit in half with her first career goal. With under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, PSU pressured again with two great scoring chances. Graduate student
Mackenzie Labrie (Canaan, N.H.) found a loose ball and deposited her first of the season to knot the score at 2-2.
With 2:14 remaining in regulation, Coleman notched her first of the year, tipping a shot over the head of the Bridgewater State goalie to give PSU its first lead of the contest. The Panthers' offense managed the ball the rest of the way as the home team held on for the 3-2 win.
PSU starts its season 1-0, while the Bears drop their season opener to begin 0-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Bridgewater State 2
- Plymouth State (1-0)
- Bridgewater State (0-1)
How it Happened:
- Both defensive groups were stingy in the first quarter, limiting chances on both ends of the field.
- Bridgewater State broke the scoreless tie less than five minutes into the second quarter.
- The Bears added another one less than a minute later to take the early 2-0 lead.
- PSU pressured the rest of the half but came up empty as the Bears' goalkeeper slammed the door.
- The score remained 2-0 at halftime.
- Monahan broke through just over five minutes into the third quarter to cut the deficit in half.
- PSU had the field tilted in its advantage for the next few minutes.
- A flurry of chances led to a loose ball finding Labrie, who buried it into the back of the cage to tie the game.
- The Panthers' offense carried the play for the remainder of the quarter and into the fourth, amassing 12 penalty corners in the second half.
- With only 2:14 remaining, Coleman tipped a weak shot and deflected it over the head of the BSU goalie to take the 3-2 lead.
- Plymouth State held on the rest of the way for the season-opening win.
By the Numbers:
- Monahan scored her first career goal.
- Labrie tallied her first of the year and had a team-high five shots on goal.
- Coleman's tally was her first since the 2022 season.
- Plymouth State held distinct advantages in shots (29-7), shots on goal (14-6) and corners (21-4).
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Wednesday (Sept. 4) for a 6:00 p.m. clash with the Blue Jays.
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