PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) and junior
Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) each posted seven-point games as Plymouth State University flew past Rhode Island College, 20-4, in the Little East Conference women's lacrosse opener at Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Donovan scored in the opening minute and added two more goals late in the frame as PSU stormed to an 11-1 lead after one. Rhode Island College struck first in the second quarter, but Cunningham answered to spark a 5-0 spurt spanning into the third as the Panthers coasted to the win.
Donovan, who finished with six goals and an assist, moved into fifth place on PSU's all-time list with 158 career goals.
Plymouth State jumps to 5-2 (1-0 LEC), while RIC drops to 0-2 (0-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 20, RIC 4
- Plymouth State (5-2, 1-0 LEC)
- RIC (0-2, 0-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Donovan opened the scoring just 43 seconds into the contest, and senior Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) made it 2-0 just 11 seconds later. Senior Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.) extended the lead with her first three minutes into the game.
- RIC briefly cut into the deficit, but Hunt responded with a quick goal and PSU ended the quarter with eight straight tallies for an 11-1 lead after one.
- The Anchorwomen struck early in the second quarter, but Cunningham, Hunt, and Donovan answered as the Panthers carried a 14-2 advantage into halftime.
- The teams traded goals in the third until Donovan's fifth of the game in the closing seconds made it 17-4 heading into the final frame.
- PSU closed out the game with three unanswered goals – Donovan's sixth and a pair from sophomore Sammy Murphy (Harrisville, R.I.) – to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Donovan's six goals matched a career high. She added a ground ball and a caused turnover.
- Cunningham scored three times and dished out four assists for a career-best seven points.
- Hunt finished with four goals and an assist, while Murphy notched a hat trick.
- Graduate student Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) posted game highs with six ground balls and four caused turnovers.
- Stowell led all players with eight draw controls.
- Senior Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made two saves in the first half, while freshman Keira Walsh (Nashua, N.H.) recorded six stops over the final 30 minutes.
- PSU held a 40-14 advantage in shots and went 13-for-16 in clear attempts.
- The Panthers owned a 22-12 edge in ground balls and limited RIC to 9-for-18 on clears.
- Plymouth State has won each of the last 17 meetings and leads the all-time series, 23-1.
Up Next:
- PSU hosts Fitchburg State in non-conference action on Thursday (Mar. 27) at 4:00 p.m.
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