BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team came up short against the University of New England Nor'easters, 2-0, in a non-conference meeting at Barbara J. Hazard field Tuesday evening.
A goal in each half proved to be enough for the Nor'easters to come home with the win. Plymouth State did all but pull even in the second half, pressuring the UNE defense with four shots in the early going, but the hosts tacked on an insurance goal in the 78th minute to hold on for the win. Plymouth State will look to bounce back on Saturday as Little East Conference (LEC) play continues against Eastern Connecticut.
Plymouth State falls to 3-6-1, while the Nor'easters improve to 1-5-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, UNE 2
- Plymouth State (3-6-1)
- UNE (1-5-3)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State controlled much of the first half field position as the Panthers camped inside their opponent's half, feeding into the defend-and-counter mindset.
- UNE found opportunities off its counterattacks, presenting the match with the first four shots.
- Sophomore Colby Cowan (Oakdale, Conn.) nearly broke through on the scoreline in the 11th minute with a shot that whiskered past the goalkeeper's far post, but the game remained scoreless midway through the first half.
- The Nor'easters struck in the 35th minute as striker buried home the first goal of the game to carry a 1-0 lead into halftime.
- Plymouth State did all but equalize, applying pressure on the UNE backline and opening the second half with four shots, forcing two saves from the opposing goalkeeper.
- Play continued to shift back-and-forth until the 78th minute when a long ball played into the Panthers' box bounced around and found the head of a looming attacker, who lofted the ball over the keeper to make it 2-0.
- The Nor'easters managed to secure the shutout as the final whistle blew.
By the Numbers:
- UNE outshot the Panthers, 22-12.
- Shots on goal were in the Nor'easters' favor, 6-2.
- UNE registered nine corner kicks to one for Plymouth State.
- It was the first meeting between the two teams.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns home for LEC play on Saturday (Oct. 4) – a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State.
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