PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) earned her first shutout of the season as Plymouth State University used balanced scoring to earn a 3-0 win over the University of Maine Farmington in a non-conference field hockey game at Panther Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Panthers struck first when freshman
Elliana Wing (Concord, N.H.) blasted a shot past the Beavers' goaltender off a penalty corner. In the final seconds of the first quarter, the Panthers capitalized on another penalty corner when Wing sent a shot through traffic and junior
Georgia Coleman (North Conway, N.H.) redirected it past the goalie for a 2-0 lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers struck again when senior
Sarah Adamske (Windham, N.H.) sent a shot into traffic that was initially blocked by a defender. Junior
Lexi Berrettini (Lake Bluff, Ill.) pounced on the loose ball and buried it to extend the lead to 3-0.
That was more than enough for the Panther defense, which limited the Beavers to three shots on goal.
Plymouth State improves to 4-9, while the Beavers fall to 3-10.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, UMaine Farmington 0
- Plymouth State (4-9)
- UMaine Farmington (3-10)
How it Happened:
- PSU jumped on the Beavers early when Coleman inserted a corner to Wing, who blasted a shot into the cage for her fourth goal of the season.
- A flurry of chances earned the Panthers another penalty corner in the closing seconds of the first quarter. Coleman inserted the ball, and Wing's shot was redirected past the goalie for a 2-0 lead.
- A stingy Panther defense kept UMaine Farmington at bay as the Beavers struggled to generate scoring chances.
- Early in the third quarter, PSU added an insurance goal when Berrettini pounced on a loose ball for her eighth goal of the season.
- Merrick made three saves, while the Panther defense cleared rebounds out of danger to preserve the shutout.
By the Numbers:
- Merrick earned her first shutout of the year, making three saves.
- Berrettini scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
- Coleman and Wing each recorded a goal and an assist.
- PSU held advantages in shots (15-7), shots on goal (6-3) and penalty corners (8-6).
- Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 7-1.
Up Next:
- The Panthers travel to UMass Dartmouth on Saturday (Oct. 17) for a noon Little East Conference clash with the Corsairs.
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