PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) scored a pair of goals and freshmen
Claire Toleman (Cambridge, N.Y.) and
Alex Zaino (Melrose, Mass.) each registered their first collegiate goals to lift Plymouth State University over Rivier University, 6-2, in a non-conference field hockey game at Panther Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Senior
Jen Newick (Lee, N.H.) got the Panthers on the board under five minutes into the contest for an early lead. Freshman goalkeeper
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) made a massive stop moments later to preserve the advantage, and Porrello doubled the margin halfway through the first to make it 2-0.
Rivier cut into the advantage midway through the second off a penalty corner, but PSU restored the two-goal margin when Toleman scored the first of her career on a beautiful rush play, set up by senior
Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.). Plymouth State retained the 3-1 lead into halftime.
Just over five minutes into the third, the Raiders had a glorious chance off a penalty corner, but Merrick stood tall with three point-blank saves to keep Rivier off the board. With just under five minutes left in the frame, Zaino slammed in her first of the year to extend the lead to 4-1.
In the opening minute of the fourth, Monahan set up Porrello for her second of the day. Rivier got one back a few minutes later, but sophomore
Georgia Coleman (North Conway, N.H.) answered back with her third of the season for the 6-2 win.
Plymouth State improves to 2-3, while Rivier drops to 0-6.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 6, Rivier 2
- Plymouth State (2-3)
- Rivier (0-6)
How it Happened:
- Newick got the scoring started early in the first for the 1-0 lead.
- Merrick made a great stop to keep the Raiders' offense at bay.
- Porrello added her third goal in as many games to make it 2-0 after one.
- Rivier cut the deficit in half midway through the second frame.
- Monahan made a beautiful pass on a 2-on-1 break to set up Toleman for the first of her career.
- PSU maintained the 3-1 lead into halftime.
- Merrick made three saves on a flurry of Rivier chances early in the third.
- Zaino notched her first career goal with under five minutes on the clock and the 4-1 lead held into the fourth quarter.
- Early in the final stanza, Monahan broke in alone and found Porrello at the back door to make it 5-1.
- Rivier got one back later in the frame, but Coleman scored for the second straight game to account for the 6-2 final.
By the Numbers:
- Porrello registered her first multi-goal game, while extending her scoring streak to three straight games.
- Newick and Coleman each scored for the second time in as many games.
- Merrick stood tall in the cage, finishing with 15 saves.
- Toleman and Zaino each tallied the first of their careers.
- Monahan posted her second straight two-assist game.
- Plymouth State has won all three matchups between the two teams by a combined 16-5 score.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Dean College on Friday (Sept. 19) for a 4:00 p.m. game.
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