PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
George Bergin (Brentwood, N.H.) netted his first goal of the season, but Maine Maritime edged past Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a non-conference men's soccer game at Panther Field on Saturday afternoon.
Maine Maritime snagged the lead in the 13th minute when a deep cross from the right side found a Mariners' head on the far post, but Bergin evened the score in the 29th minute with a beautiful goal. PSU had a free kick from 30 yards out that deflected off the wall and Bergin settled, turned, and rifled a shot to the top corner to knot the game at 1-1.
The visitors regained the lead in the 41st minute on a blast from 30-yards out, though, and the one-goal margin would prove to be enough. Plymouth State nearly pulled even in the final minutes, but a header by sophomore
Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.) was headed off the goal line by a Mariners' defender as the visitors held on for the win.
Plymouth State dips to 1-2-0, while the Mariners go to 1-0-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Maine Maritime 2
- Plymouth State (1-2-0)
- Maine Maritime (1-0-1)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State had some early chances, but an offsides ended one threat, while a pair of headers drifted wide of the goal.
- Maine Maritime opened the scoring in the 13th minute when a long cross from the right side was headed in at the back post.
- The Panthers nearly answered back in the 25th minute on a beautiful strike from freshman Luke McLaughlin (Topsham, Maine). Sophomore Colby Cowan (Oakdale, Conn.) delivered a lofting ball to the top of the 18, where McLaughlin settled and blasted a shot that was just punched over the top bar.
- PSU knotted the game at 1-1 in the 29th minute when a free kick was deflected off the wall to Bergin, who rifled a shot from the corner of the box to the top right.
- Plymouth State built momentum, earning a string of corner kicks, but was unable to net the go-ahead tally.
- The Mariners went back into the lead in the 41st minute on a bullet of a shot from 30-yards out just inside the top left corner to carry a 2-1 advantage into the break.
- Senior Hunter Holland (Hampton, N.H.) had a chance in the 53rd minute, but his shot was corralled by the Maine Maritime goalkeeper.
- PSU's best chance to pull even came in the 86th minute when McCarthy elevated for a header on a corner kick that went to the back post. The ball was destined for the back of the net, but a Mariners' defender headed it off the goal line and the visitors were able to hold on for the win.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State held an 11-3 advantage in shots, including an 8-1 edge in the second half.
- The Panthers earned nine corner kicks to MMA's four.
- Bergin's tally was the second of his career.
- The game was just the second meeting between the two programs. Plymouth State edged out the Mariners, 2-1, on the road last fall.
Up Next:
- The Panthers are home on Tuesday (Sept. 9) for a non-conference clash with Salem State. Opening kick is set for 2:00 p.m.
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