BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore
Georgia Coleman (Conway, N.H.) fired a game-high four shots but none of them were able to find the back of the cage as Plymouth State University fell to Bridgewater State University, 3-0, in a non-conference field hockey game on Mazzaferro Field on Friday evening.
The Panthers were hungry right out of the gates, but the Bears were the ones to draw first blood as they fired on past freshman goalkeeper
Natalie Merrick (Longmeadow, Mass.) to take a 1-0 lead late in the first quarter. The Panthers pushed to even the score in the late stages of the second quarter, but the chance was turned away by the BSU defense. The Bears found a loose ball shortly after the clear and capitalized on a fast break chance with just under 20 seconds to go in the first half for a 2-0 lead at the break.
The hosts added another score early in the third quarter to extend the lead. The Panthers' offense came up with a flurry of chances late in the fourth, but the Bridgewater State goalie made four point-blank saves to secure the shutout.
PSU starts its season 0-1, while Bridgewater State moves to 1-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Bridgewater State 3
- Plymouth State (0-1)
- Bridgewater State (1-0)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers started the game with an up-tempo, back-and-forth style, but Bridgewater State and its defense were equal to the task to keep the game scoreless.
- Late in the first quarter, the hosts capitalized on their first opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.
- PSU pushed back with a high-quality chance late in the second quarter, but was turned aside by the Bridgewater State defense.
- Seconds later, the Bears found themselves on a fast break and cashed in to double the lead with under 20 seconds before halftime.
- BSU jumped on a loose ball early in the third to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
- PSU fired four consecutive shots on goal late in the fourth, but the Bridgewater State goalie was up to the task as the Bears held on for the 3-0 win.
By the Numbers:
- Coleman finished with four shots, including three on goal.
- Sophomore Lexi Berrettini (Lake Bluff, Ill.) and senior Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.) each fired two shots on goal.
- PSU held an 11-9 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on goal.
- Penalty corners were even at 8-8.
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 30-9-1.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Roger Williams in the home opener next Saturday (Sept. 6) at noon.
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