PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Emily DeSimone (Norwood, Mass.) scored a pair of goals to guide Plymouth State University past Anna Maria College, 3-1, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Wednesday afternoon.
The AMCATS snagged a short-lived lead just over six minutes into the opening period, but DeSimone countered when she knocked in her own rebound less than three minutes later and the game remained tied through the end of the first period.
Graduate student
Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) gave the Panthers the lead in the opening minutes of the second and DeSimone tacked on an empty net insurance goal late in the third to account for the final score.
The Plymouth State defense, anchored by sophomore
Jamie Steinmetz (Madison, Wis.) limited Anna Maria to just 14 shots for the game, including one in the first period.
Plymouth State moves to 15-7-1 (10-2-1 MASCAC), while the AMCATS stand at 8-13-1 (5-6-1 MASCAC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Anna Maria 1
- Plymouth State (15-7-1, 10-2-1 MASCAC)
- Anna Maria (8-13-1, 5-6-1 MASCAC)
How it Happened:
- Anna Maria snagged an early lead when a skater slid the puck off the end boards and through the slot for a one-timer 6:10 into the game.
- The Panthers answered right back less than three minutes later as DeSimone tucked in the rebound of her own shot to square the game at 1-1 with 11:07 left in the first.
- Junior Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) had a late chance when she teed up a blast from the high slot in the final minute, but the AMCATS goaltender was able to snare the puck to keep the game tied heading into intermission.
- McNeil gave PSU the lead in the opening minutes of the second after running down a rebound in the corner. Her close-range shot from the left post was saved, but sophomore Emily Gerrie (Littleton, Colo.) flipped her the rebound and McNeil converted to go ahead, 2-1, just 1:38 into the frame.
- Sophomore Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) made a strong save of a bouncing puck during an Anna Maria power play midway through the stanza to help PSU preserve the one-goal lead into the final period.
- Senior Emily Biggin (Didsbury, Alberta) blocked a shot and skated in for a breakaway at the 8:45 mark of the period, but the AMC goalie got just enough of her bid to the top left corner to keep the puck out of the net.
- The AMCATS had a golden chance to pull even with just over seven minutes remaining when a turnover in the zone led to a great scoring opportunity, but the shot rang the crossbar.
- Wilson stood tall two minutes later as she shouldered away a potential game-tying blast from the left side.
- Anna Maria continued to press, going on the power play with 3:31 left on the clock, but the Panthers' penalty kill was exceptional, and DeSimone potted an empty net goal to secure the win with just over a minute to go.
By the Numbers:
- DeSimone's seven markers are tied for the second most on the team. It was her first multipoint game since registering a goal and two assists in the season opener.
- McNeil set a new career best with her fourth tally of the season. Her 14 points are third-most on the team, top ten in the MASCAC and second among defensemen in the conference.
- Wilson made 13 saves to pick up the win.
- Graduate student Carsen Moffett (Kamloops, British Columbia) was outstanding on the draw, winning 15-of-19 (78.9%) faceoffs. PSU, as a team, went 37-16 (69.8%) in the circle.
- Steinmetz recorded a pair of blocked shots.
- Plymouth State successfully killed off two Anna Maria powerplays. The Panthers finished 0-for-1.
- PSU leads the all-time series 3-0-2 and is 2-0-1 this season. Anna Maria took the shootout, 1-0, in the most recent meeting a month ago.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host Framingham State on Tuesday (Feb. 18) for a 4:00 p.m. MASCAC contest.
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