BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) erupted for a career-high seven goals as Plymouth State University built an early lead and cruised to a 16-10 win over Bridgewater State University in a non-conference women's lacrosse game at Mazzaferro Field on Tuesday night.
With the score tied at 1-1 midway through the first quarter, Donovan scored three times during a 4-0 run to give PSU a lead it wouldn't relinquish. BSU opened the second quarter with a goal, but Donovan responded less than a minute later, sparking a surge that extended the lead to 8-2.
The Panthers entered the fourth quarter up 12-6 after Donovan's sixth goal of the night, and the teams played even through the final 15 minutes. Donovan's seventh tally accounted for the final score.
Plymouth State improves to 7-2, while the Bears drop to 9-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 16, Bridgewater State 10
- Plymouth State (7-2)
- Bridgewater State (9-2)
How it Happened:
- Graduate student Elle Moshier (Stratford, Conn.) put PSU ahead 2:07 into the game, but BSU answered a minute later.
- Donovan tallied back-to-back goals midway through the quarter, and freshman Gracie Menicci (Pepperell, Mass.) extended the lead to 4-1 with a woman-up goal.
- Donovan struck again with just over a minute left, giving the Panthers a 5-1 lead after one.
- The Bears opened the second quarter with a goal, but PSU answered with three straight, including Donovan's fourth and two from senior Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.), to push the lead to 8-2.
- BSU found the net late in the half to make it 8-3 at the break.
- The Bears cut the deficit to four early in the third, but Hunt answered quickly. Freshman Claire Joyce (Braintree, Mass.) followed with her first of the night, and Donovan's fifth goal extended the margin to 11-4.
- BSU responded with back-to-back goals, but Donovan converted a feed from Hunt in the final minute, making it 12-6 heading into the fourth.
- Bridgewater State attempted a rally, scoring consecutive goals to pull within 12-8.
- Moshier slowed the comeback bid, but the Bears struck again to keep it a four-goal game.
- Graduate student Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) and Moshier scored around a BSU goal, and Donovan capped the night with her seventh tally in the final minute.
By the Numbers:
- Donovan's seven goals set a career high. She has 16 goals and 20 points over her last three games.
- Moshier and Hunt each recorded three goals and an assist. Hunt also collected five ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Moshier added three ground balls, two caused turnovers, and four draw controls.
- Joyce registered a three-point game with a goal and two assists, while sophomore Sammy Murphy (Harrisville, R.I.) contributed two assists, four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
- Senior Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) led the team with six draw controls.
- Classmate Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made 12 saves to earn the win.
- PSU held a narrow 23-20 edge in shots on goal, while ground balls were even at 25-25.
- The Panthers converted 15-of-17 clear attempts, limiting BSU to just 14-of-25.
- Plymouth State has won 9 of the last 10 meetings and leads the all-time series, 27-10.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts UMass Boston for the team's annual Morgan's Message game on Saturday (Apr. 5) at noon.
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