PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) made 12 saves, and junior
Sarah Adamske (Windham, N.H.) converted a pair of penalty stroke opportunities, but Eastern Connecticut State University held off Plymouth State University, 4-3, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game on
Senior Day at Panther Field on Saturday.
Eastern Connecticut converted a penalty corner to open the scoring in the first quarter, then cashed in on two more corners in the second to make it 3-0. PSU pushed back late, but a bid by senior
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) in the final seconds was saved as the 3-0 score held at halftime.
The Panthers came out strong in the third, applying heavy pressure on the Eastern Connecticut defense. Following a flurry of activity in front of the cage, PSU was awarded a penalty stroke that Adamske fired low to the stick side to get the Panthers on the board. The Warriors answered just 30 seconds later to restore the three-goal lead, 4-1. Plymouth State responded again, creating several close chances that led to another penalty stroke. Adamske went stick side once more to cut the deficit to 4-2 heading to the fourth.
PSU continued to press, and senior
Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.) blasted a shot through traffic to make it 4-3 with five minutes remaining. The Panthers kept up the pressure, firing four more shots in the closing minutes, but the ECSU goalie held firm as the Warriors escaped with the win.
Following the contest, Plymouth State honored its senior class for their contributions and dedication to the program: Monahan, Porrello,
Jen Newick (Lee, N.H.), and
Kyla Napolitano (Warwick, R.I.).
Plymouth State moves to 5-9 (1-3 LEC), while the Warriors secure at least a share of the LEC regular season title, improving to 10-7 (5-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Eastern Connecticut 4
- Plymouth State (5-9, 1-3 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (10-7, 5-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Eastern Connecticut converted on a penalty corner for a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute.
- The Warriors added two more in the second quarter for a 3-0 advantage at the break.
- PSU stormed back in the third, tilting the field in its favor. The Panthers generated multiple close-range chances to earn a penalty stroke that Adamske converted low to the stick side to make it 3-1 in the 33rd minute.
- ECSU answered just 30 seconds later to push the lead back to 4-1.
- Plymouth State responded with another flurry of chances, earning a second penalty stroke that Adamske buried to pull within 4-2.
- Monahan cut the deficit to one, 4-3, after firing a shot off a penalty corner with just under five minutes to play.
- The Panthers continued to press for the tying goal, but the Warriors held on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Adamske scored twice and is now tied for the team lead with six goals.
- Merrick made 12 saves in the loss.
- Plymouth State held a 27-23 advantage in shots and a 15-9 edge in penalty corners.
- Plymouth State owns a 25-7 record in the all-time series.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Southern Maine on Tuesday (Oct. 28) at 4 p.m.
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