NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Junior
Olivia Howard (Berwick, Maine) buried her second goal of the season, but Norwich University netted the game winner in the 88th minute to nip Plymouth State University, 2-1, in non-conference women's soccer action at Sabine Field on Wednesday night.
The Cadets got on the board early in the first half on a perfectly struck blast from the top left corner of the box in the seventh minute. The 1-0 advantage would hold late into the second half, but Plymouth State pulled even on Howard's volley in the 71st minute. Norwich regained the lead with 2:37 to play. The Panthers would apply heavy pressure in the final minute but were unable to net the equalizer.
Plymouth State moves to 3-4-0, while the Cadets improve to 5-1-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Norwich 2
- Plymouth State (3-4-0)
- Norwich (5-1-2)
How it Happened:
- A Cadets' throw-in to the left corner and strong individual effort helped set up the game's first goal in the seventh minute. The Norwich winger made a move past two defenders before sending a centering feed across the six. Junior Nevaeh Petruzzi (Newmarket, N.H.) blocked the initial shot and a defender headed the ball away, but Norwich was first to the bouncing ball at the corner of the box, smashing a right-footed blast off the crossbar and in for the 1-0 lead.
- PSU's first good chance came in the 23rd minute when Petruzzi played a left-footed cross to sophomore Ella Fraser (Nottingham, N.H.), but Fraser's shot was smothered by the Norwich goalkeeper.
- The Panthers dodged a bullet late in the half when a Norwich corner led to a quick shot just outside the six that deflected off Howard, but freshman goalkeeper Christa Giansiracusa (Tewksbury, Mass.) was able to corral the loose ball and the score remained 1-0 into the break.
- The Panthers nearly pulled even on a header bid by junior Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) off a corner in the 70th minute, but the Norwich goalkeeper was just able to push the ball wide of the net. PSU made good on the ensuing corner, though. Bellmore played the ball to Petruzzi at the corner of the box, who cut past a defender before lifting a cross to the far post. Sophomore Ava Knighton (Clayton, Del.) redirected the ball to Howard at the six, who tucked a shot inside the right post to knot the game at 1-1 in the 71st minute.
- Giansiracusa made a dynamic save in the 75th minute to keep the game tied, making a full extension to her left to deny a Norwich chance.
- The Cadets were able to net the winner with just 2:37 left on the clock. Plymouth State responded with heavy pressure, particularly over the final minute of play, but was unable to put a shot on target as Norwich held on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Howard's goal was her second of the year. Her five points are the fourth most on the team.
- Petruzzi picked up her 11th point of the season to rank third, while Knighton's assist was her second.
- Giansiracusa made six saves in the setback.
- Norwich owned a 12-9 advantage in shots.
- Corner kicks were even, with the Cadets nursing a narrow 6-5 advantage.
- PSU now owns a 6-1-1 record against Norwich in the all-time series. The contest was the first between the two teams since the 2016 season.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hits the road to face Rhode Island College in a Little East Conference match on Saturday (Sept. 28) at 2:00 p.m.
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