PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Graduate student
Elle Moshier (Stratford, Conn.) scored a game-high five goals as top-seeded Plymouth State University rallied from a two-goal deficit with less than four minutes to play to defeat fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University, 14-11, in the semifinals of the Little East Conference (LEC) Women's Lacrosse Tournament at Panther Field on Thursday evening.
Plymouth State improves to 15-2 and advances to the championship game for the 11th consecutive year. PSU's 15 wins are tied for the second-most in program history and are the most since the 2004 team finished 17-1.
In a physical, back-and-forth contest, the Panthers rattled off four straight goals in the third quarter to build a 9-6 lead. The Warriors, however, responded with a 5-0 run to claim an 11-9 advantage with just 4:12 remaining.
Plymouth State surged from there. Senior
Julia Donovan (Antrim, N.H.) made it a one-goal game with her 199th career tally – moving into sole possession of second place on the program's all-time goals list – with 3:31 left. Classmate
Jenna Stowell (Londonderry, N.H.) tied the game just 21 seconds later.
Junior
Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) gave the Panthers the lead for good with 2:39 to go, and Moshier and senior
Maddie Hunt (Littleton, Mass.) added insurance goals in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
The Panthers, now riding an 11-game winning streak, will look to capture a third consecutive LEC Tournament title when they face the winner of second-seeded Western Connecticut State University and third-seeded University of Southern Maine in Saturday's (May 3) championship game. Opening draw is set for noon.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 14, Eastern Connecticut 11
- Plymouth State (15-2)
- Eastern Connecticut (13-6)
How it Happened:
- Graduate student Megan Gaspa (Laconia, N.H.) opened the scoring 2:27 into the game, but the Warriors answered with the first of three woman-up goals.
- Moshier responded with a woman-up goal of her own, and Hunt's strike gave the Panthers a 3-1 lead after one quarter.
- Eastern Connecticut rallied with a 4-1 run over the first 12 minutes of the second quarter – Moshier notching the lone PSU goal during the stretch – to take a 5-4 lead.
- Donovan tied the game at 5-5 before halftime with her 198th career goal, moving into a tie for second-most in program history.
- The Warriors regained the lead early in the third, but PSU responded with a 4-0 run. Sophomore Sammy Murphy (Harrisville, R.I.) tied it, followed by back-to-back goals from Moshier, and Stowell's tally pushed the lead to 9-6.
- Eastern Connecticut scored once in the final minute of the third, then rattled off four straight in the fourth to build an 11-9 lead with just over four minutes remaining.
- With their backs against the wall, the Panthers clawed back. Donovan made it 11-10, and Stowell tied it 21 seconds later.
- PSU dominated the final three minutes, winning key draws to maintain possession. Cunningham converted a free-position shot to reclaim the lead, and Moshier and Hunt each added late goals to secure the win.
By the Numbers:
- Moshier led all players with five goals and added three draw controls.
- Donovan finished with two goals and an assist, leaving her one goal shy of becoming just the second player in program history to reach 200 career goals. She also scooped up three ground balls.
- Hunt and Stowell each scored twice. Hunt contributed two ground balls and two caused turnovers, while Stowell had a game-high eight draw controls and collected two ground balls.
- Gaspa posted game-highs of four ground balls and four caused turnovers, along with four draw controls and a goal.
- Senior goalkeeper Margie Black (Longmeadow, Mass.) made eight saves to improve to 15-2 on the year. Her 39 career wins are tied for the second most in program history.
- PSU held a narrow 22-19 advantage in shots on goal and won the ground ball battle, 20-15.
- Plymouth State converted 16-of-19 clear attempts while limiting ECSU to 13-of-20.
Up Next:
- Top-seeded Plymouth State hosts the winner of second-seeded WestConn and third-seeded Southern Maine in the championship game on Saturday (May 3) at noon.
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