PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Laura Castronova (Hauppauge, N.Y.) became the second player in program history to score double digit goals in a season as Plymouth State University held off Keene State College, 1-0, in non-conference women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Tuesday afternoon.
Castronova redirected a shot past the Owls' goaltender less than 30 seconds into the second period and that would prove to be enough, as Plymouth State improved to 8-4 in one-goal games. Sophomore
Teagan Wilson (Salisbury, Mass.) was outstanding between the pipes and, nursing the narrow lead, the Panthers' defense allowed just one shot on goal over the final 20 minutes.
Plymouth State moves to 13-6-1, while the Owls fall to 13-10-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Keene State 0
- Plymouth State (13-6-1)
- Keene State (13-10-0)
How it Happened:
- Shots were difficult to come by for much of the first period. Wilson made a good stop midway through the frame and freshman Gracie Menicci (Pepperell, Mass.) cleared the rebound out of danger.
- Sophomore Emma Lemery (Queensbury, N.Y.) found space and ripped a wrist shot from the left circle late in the frame, but the Owls' goaltender made a glove save.
- Keene State deflected a pass in the PSU defensive zone and the puck skipped to an Owls' skater alone in the slot, but Wilson denied the bid as the game remained scoreless into the first intermission.
- Plymouth State struck just 28 seconds into the second period when Castronova gained position in the slot and redirected Menicci's blast from the left side.
- The Owls had a golden opportunity to pull even during a power play midway through the frame when a pass through the slot found an unmarked skater on the back post but her shot hit the pipe and ricocheted out of harm's way.
- Wilson was tested during another KSC power play with less than four minutes on the clock when a blast from the point was headed through traffic toward the far post, but she extended her left leg to kick the puck aside and PSU carried the one-goal lead into the final period.
- The Panthers opened the third period with a power play and PSU built heavy zone time over the first six-plus minutes, but the Owls' goaltender would not budge.
- Castronova fired a low-angle shot off a beautiful feed from senior Emily DeSimone (Norwood, Mass.), but the KSC goalie went post-to-post to stuff the bid.
- Nursing the one-goal lead, Plymouth State kept the puck in the offensive zone late forcing Keene State to keep the goalie on the ice. KSC went on a power play with 15 seconds to go, but the Panthers were able to hold on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- With her 10th goal of the year, Castronova becomes the second player in program history to record double-digit goals in a season.
- Menicci and DeSimone picked up the assists, giving each five on the year.
- Wilson recorded her first shutout of the season and the second of her career.
- Plymouth State held a 34-14 advantage in shots, including a 14-1 margin in the third period.
- Both teams went 0-for-4 on the power play.
- The teams split the previous two meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to MCLA for a league game on Friday (Feb. 7) at 6:00 p.m.
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