BOSTON, Mass. – Led by another strong performance from senior
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.), Plymouth State University used a fast start and dominant third quarter to defeat Emmanuel College, 15-8, in a non-conference women's lacrosse game at Roberto Clemente Field on Tuesday night.
Donovan, who recorded her second eight-point game in three outings, tallied a goal and two assists as four different Panthers scored in the first five minutes to seize an early lead. The Saints responded with three straight goals midway through the opening quarter, but Donovan and freshman
Claire Joyce (Braintree, Mass.) struck late to give PSU a 6-3 advantage after one.
The teams traded goals in the second quarter, and PSU carried a 7-4 lead into halftime before scoring four of the first five goals in the second half to pull away. Donovan capped the run with a free position goal for an 11-5 lead, and PSU cruised to victory.
Plymouth State improves to 4-0, while Emmanuel evens out at 2-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 15, Emmanuel 8
- Plymouth State (4-0)
- Emmanuel (2-2)
How it Happened:
- Donovan and senior Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) capitalized on early Emmanuel cards, each converting woman-up opportunities. Graduate student Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) followed with a free position goal just 29 seconds later as PSU raced out to a quick 3-0 lead.
- Sophomore Sammy Murphy (Harrisville, R.I.) extended the streak with her first goal of the night, making it 4-0 within the first five minutes.
- Emmanuel responded with three straight goals to pull within 4-3 with just over five minutes left in the first, but Donovan and Joyce scored late to push PSU's lead to 6-3 after one.
- Joyce capitalized on another Saints' card early in the second quarter, but Emmanuel answered right back. The score remained 8-5 at halftime.
- Senior Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.) scored twice during a 4-1 run to open the third quarter, extending PSU's lead. Graduate student Elle Moshier (Stratford, Conn.) and Donovan also scored during the stretch, with Donovan adding two more assists.
- The teams traded goals in the final two minutes of the third, with Hunt finishing a feed from Joyce in the closing seconds to give PSU a 12-6 advantage heading into the fourth.
- Emmanuel struck first in the final quarter, but Stowell won the ensuing draw and set up Donovan, who restored PSU's six-goal cushion just three seconds later.
- Murphy and Stowell each found the back of the net around a Saints' tally to cap the scoring.
By the Numbers:
- Donovan matched a career high for the second time in the last three games, finishing with eight points on four goals and four assists. She has 24 points through the first four games, fourth-most in the Little East Conference (LEC), despite playing two fewer games than the three players above her.
- Hunt recorded her third hat trick of the season, while Joyce, Murphy, and Stowell each scored twice. Joyce added an assist for a three-point game.
- Moshier contributed a goal and an assist.
- Stowell added ten draw controls to her stat line.
- Gaspa led all players with seven ground balls and five caused turnovers.
- Senior goalkeeper Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made six saves before giving way to freshman Keira Walsh (Nashua, N.H.), who recorded a save in her collegiate debut.
- PSU held a 31-18 advantage in shots and a 23-15 edge in shots on goal.
- Emmanuel had a slight edge in ground balls, 21-19.
- Plymouth State was 16-for-18 on clear attempts.
- The Panthers have won both meetings against the Saints by identical 15-8 scores.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits Bowdoin next Tuesday (Mar. 18) for a 2:00 p.m. matchup with the Polar Bears.
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