PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team were topped by the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, 3-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) match at Arold Field on Saturday afternoon.
In a game where Plymouth State controlled much of the run of play, the stingy Eastern Connecticut attack produced three goals in a five-minute stretch to remain undefeated in LEC play.
The Panthers were the better team until the first goal was scored, as ECSU capitalized on the gut-punch it delivered and cruised away with a comfortable lead before Plymouth State could respond.
Plymouth State falls to 3-7-1 (1-2-1 LEC), while the Warriors move to 7-3-0 (3-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Eastern Conn. 3
- Plymouth State (3-7-1, 1-2-1 LEC)
- Eastern Conn. (7-3-0, 3-0-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The game started as a midfield battle with neither team covering much ground in the opposing team's territory.
- The Panthers created the first good chance of the game in the 23rd minute as senior Massimo Korcsog (Ottawa, Ontario) forced a save from the opposing goalkeeper.
- The first half created little excitement as the Panthers outshot their opponent 3-1 and the match remained scoreless into the halftime break.
- Plymouth State opened the second half with fire in its belly, pinning back the Eastern Connecticut defense and pushing to score the game's first goal with three shots in the first five minutes.
- The Panther back line held strong as the Warriors failed to produce a single shot on goal with 20 minutes remaining in regulation.
- With desperation starting to set in, the Warriors' attack began to apply pressure on Plymouth State. Eastern Connecticut was awarded a questionable goal in the 76th minute on a ball that did not appear to cross the goal line, breaking through with the first goal of the game.
- Within the blink of an eye, Eastern Connecticut doubled its advantage in the 78th minute, then added to the margin in the 81st minute to stretch the game to 3-0.
- Despite the overall run of play, the Warriors went home with a comfortable conference victory.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State outshot the Warriors by a 12-6 margin.
- Shots on goal went to the Panthers, 4-3.
- The Panthers registered 6 corner kicks to 7 for Eastern Connecticut.
- The Warriors have controlled the series of late, winning each of the last eight meetings.
- Plymouth State is now 16-21-3 in the head-to-head matchup dating back to 1986.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Fisher next Saturday (Oct. 11) at 3:00 p.m.
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