PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Laura Castronova (Hauppauge, N.Y.) scored twice and classmate
Karlee Lehner (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) made 36 saves to lead Plymouth State University to a 3-1 win over Curry College in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Tuesday afternoon.
Castronova scored twice in a three-goal second period, redirecting a shot from junior
Jacqueline Martin (Smithfield, R.I.) during a power play less than three minutes in, then tipping in a pass from sophomore
Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.) midway through the frame.
Senior
Alanna Hoag (Clinton, Mass.) scored her first career goal late in the frame to push the margin to 3-0.
Lehner was outstanding throughout, denying a shorthanded breakaway bid early in the second period, then, after the Colonels had cut the deficit to 3-1, making a huge save during a 2-on-1 breakaway with a kick save and stuffing a penalty shot in the third period to seal the victory.
PSU improves to 9-5-1, marking the most wins since 2017-18 and just one shy of the program record of ten set during the 2015-16 season. Curry slides to 5-10-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Curry 1
- Plymouth State (9-5-1)
- Curry (5-10-1)
How it Happened:
- Much of the first period featured back-and-forth action as both defenses clogged the shooting lanes making shots difficult to come by.
- Lehner made a pair of stellar saves, including one when a rebound deflected right to a Curry skater alone in the slot, with 6:37 left in the frame.
- PSU's best chance in the period came with just over three minutes left on the clock when graduate student Carsen Moffett (Kamloops, British Columbia) ripped a wrist shot while falling to her knees on the right side, but the Colonels' netminder was up to the task.
- Lehner came up big early in the second period when a Curry skater broke free for a shorthanded opportunity, but she kicked the shot aside. The Panthers rode the momentum into the game's first goal when Castronova deflected Martin's shot from the right side into the net just 2:58 into the frame.
- Castronova struck again at the 11:09 mark of the period when she tipped in Gerrie's pass to make it 2-0.
- The Panthers added another with just 1:17 left in the period when Hoag took a feed from senior Libby Carter (Franklin, Mass.) in the slot and backhanded it over the goalie's stick for the 3-0 advantage.
- Curry controlled the pace of play during the third period, but PSU's defense held strong. The Colonels got one back at the 7:20 mark and continued to pressure the zone. Less than a minute later Curry skated in for a 2-on-1 and a perfect pass left a skater alone in front of the net, but Lehner extended her right leg to deny the backhanded bid.
- The Colonels were awarded a penalty shot with just under four minutes to go, but Lehner was up to the task once again. She patiently held her ground, then slid to the post to stone the attempt.
- Curry yanked its goalie for the final 2:31 but Lehner and the Plymouth State defense held strong to preserve the win.
By the Numbers:
- Castronova's two goals matched her career high set in the season opener at Keene State. She moved into the team lead with seven goals on the year.
- Martin and Gerrie logged two assists apiece. Gerrie's eight helpers are tied for the most on the team.
- Hoag's marker was the first of her career, with Carter and senior Brenna Smith (Medfield, Mass.) picking up the assists.
- Lehner's 36 saves were a season high.
- The Colonels held a 37-18 advantage in shots, including 14-4 in the third period.
- Plymouth State went 1-for-3 on the power play.
- The teams split a home-and-home meeting during the 2022-23 season in the only other matchup between the two schools.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns to conference play when Rivier comes to Hanaway Rink on Friday (Jan. 24) at 6:00 p.m. in the first half of a home-and-home series with the Raiders.
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