DANBURY, Conn. – Senior
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) scored twice, but Western Connecticut State University slipped past Plymouth State University, 3-2, in overtime in Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey action at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday morning.
Plymouth State finishes the regular season at 5-11 (1-5 LEC) and will enter next week's LEC Tournament as the No. 6 seed, traveling to No. 3 Southern Maine for a first round game on Tuesday (Nov. 4). The Wolves secure the No. 5 seed with a 7-10 (2-4 LEC) mark.
The Panthers got on the board midway through the first quarter when senior
Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.) found Porrello for the early 1-0 lead. PSU controlled play the remainder of the first half but couldn't add to its lead as the Wolves' defense cleared away any dangerous chances.
The hosts scored twice in less than five minutes early in the third quarter to take a 2-1 lead. Just under two minutes into the final frame, sophomore
Lexi Berrettini (Lake Bluff, Ill.) found Porrello for her second of the game to even the score at 2-2. PSU had a chance to take the lead late in regulation, but the shot sailed just wide, sending the game into overtime.
Less than two minutes into the extra session, WestConn snuck one past freshman goalie
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) for the 3-2 win.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, WestConn 3 (OT)
- Plymouth State (5-11, 1-5 LEC)
- WestConn (7-10, 2-4 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Porrello scored midway through the first for a 1-0 lead.
- The Panthers had multiple scoring opportunities close to the cage but nothing snuck through as the first half ended with PSU nursing a 1-0 lead.
- WestConn scored twice in the third to take the lead.
- Porrello scored early in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.
- The Panthers had a couple late looks at the cage, but their best shot sailed wide.
- Early in the overtime session, WestConn fired one past Merrick for the 3-2 decision.
By the Numbers:
- Porrello now has eight goals on the season to lead the team.
- Merrick finished with six saves.
- PSU held a 16-9 advantage in shots and a 9-5 lead in penalty corners.
- PSU leads the all-time series 19-4.
Up Next:
- Sixth-seeded Plymouth State travels to third-seeded Southern Maine for the first round of the LEC Tournament on Tuesday (Nov. 4).
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