PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman goalie
Natalie Merrick (Longmeadow, Mass.) made 20 saves and sophomore
Georgia Coleman (North Conway, N.H.) scored her first goal of the season, but it wasn't enough as Plymouth State University fell to Roger Williams University, 7-1, in non-conference field hockey action at Panther Field on Saturday morning.
The Panthers' defense was under pressure early, scooping a ball off the goal line less than five minutes into the contest. Moments later, a Hawks' player broke in along but Merrick came out of the cage and challenged the shooter, making a sliding stop. The PSU offense built major pressure later in the first, but neither team was able to solve the opposing defense as the game remained scoreless into the second quarter.
RWU broke open the scoring just over five minutes into the second quarter, jumping on a loose ball near the cage to make it 1-0. The Hawks added another tally with just over five minutes remaining on a penalty corner to double the margin, and a pair of late goals pushed the advantage to 4-0 going into the break.
Roger Williams converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter to make it 5-0. Senior
Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) nearly broke in for a scoring change, but the ball hopped over her stick and the RWU defense cleared it to keep PSU off the board.
Coleman notched the Panthers first goal of the year when she slammed one home midway through the fourth quarter, but the Hawks were able to walk away with the victory.
Plymouth State dips to 0-2, while the Hawks improve to 2-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Roger Williams 7
- Plymouth State (0-2)
- Roger Williams (2-2)
How it Happened:
- The PSU defense was ready for a firing Roger Williams squad, keeping them at bay early.
- RWU broke in alone and Merrick made a sliding save.
- Merrick made another massive save with under ten seconds to go as the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
- RWU broke the score open five minutes into the second for a 1-0 lead.
- The Hawks added another off a penalty corner to make it 2-0.
- Minutes later they cashed in on another penalty corner to extend the lead to 3-0.
- RWU added another late to push the advantage to 4-0 at the half.
- A successful Hawks' penalty stroke early in the third quarter made it 5-0.
- Porrello nearly got the Panthers on the board with a great scoring change, but it was cleared by the Hawks' defense.
- Coleman broke through midway through the fourth for her first of the season.
- The Hawks controlled play the rest of the way and finished with the 7-1 win.
By the Numbers:
- Coleman scored her first goal of the season.
- Merrick made an impressive 20 saves on the afternoon.
- Roger Williams has won all three meetings between the two teams.
Up Next:
- The Panthers are home again on Wednesday (Sept. 10) when Colby-Sawyer heads to Panther Field for a 4:00 p.m. contest.
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