FRANKLIN, Mass. – Freshman goalkeeper
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) earned the first shutout of her career to lead Plymouth State University to a 3-0 win over Dean College in a non-conference field hockey game at Grant Field on Friday evening.
PSU entered riding a two-game winning streak and looked to keep its momentum going, but the Panthers were unable to solve the Dean defense early as the first half ended in a scoreless tie.
Senior
Jen Newick (Lee, N.H.) broke the scoring open halfway through the third to give PSU a 1-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, junior
Sarah Adamske (Windham, N.H.) doubled the advantage with her second of the season. Merrick and the Panthers' defense stood tall, turning away three penalty corners and a flurry of chances from the Bulldogs.
Dean pushed back early in the fourth, but the Panthers proved to be too much to handle. PSU kept the offensive pressure for a majority of the final frame, pushing the Dean defense to its limits. Plymouth State added an exclamation point to the victory when freshman
Claire Toleman (Cambridge, N.Y.) scored for the second straight game to make it 3-0.
Plymouth State improves to 3-3, while the Bulldogs slide to 3-5.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Dean 0
- Plymouth State (3-3)
- Dean (3-5)
How it Happened:
- The first half was even, with both defensive units shutting down the opposition.
- The game was knotted at 0-0 at halftime.
- Midway through the third frame, Newick gave PSU the lead with her third of the season.
- Less than five minutes later, Adamske slammed one home to double the lead.
- Merrick and the Panthers' defense was tested in the third, turning away three penalty corners.
- PSU's defense was tested again early in the fourth, turning aside an early push by the Bulldogs.
- The Panthers' offense turned up the head, pouring 10 shots on net in the second half.
- Toleman scored her second in as many games to end the chances of a Dean comeback as PSU held on for the 3-0 win.
By the Numbers:
- Toleman scored in her second straight contest.
- Newick's goal was her third of the year. She now has a goal in three straight games.
- Merrick earned her first career shutout with nine saves.
- PSU held the advantage in shots (18-10) and penalty corners (7-5).
- This was the first meeting between the two programs.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts New England College on Wednesday (Sept. 24) at 4:00 p.m.
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