PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore goalkeeper
Natalie Merrick (East Longmeadow, Mass.) stopped 13 shots in her season debut as Plymouth State University topped Keene State College, 2-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game on Panther Field to kick off Homecoming weekend on Friday night. The game also served as the annual
Dorothy "Dot" Diehl Game, honoring the longtime former coach and faculty member for her dedication to the advancement of women's sports.
The Panthers got off to a hot start five minutes into the first quarter when graduate student
Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.) slammed home a perfect feed from junior
Lexi Berrettini (Lake Bluff, Ill.) for an early lead. The game featured great goaltending and defense on both sides, keeping the score tight. PSU struck again late in the second quarter when Berrettini found freshman
Amelia Avery (Campton, N.H.) alone in front to double the Panthers' lead, 2-0.
Keene State built offensive momentum during the second half, but Merrick took over the game, making nine of her 13 saves on the night. A sprawling save near the end of the third quarter preserved the two-goal margin. Early in the fourth quarter, the Owls found a loose ball and cut the lead in half.
With just over seven minutes remaining, Keene State pulled its goalie for an extra field player, but Merrick slammed the door. The Panthers had an opportunity for an insurance goal with back-to-back penalty corners, but the Keene State defense blocked a shot. The Owls pressed for the equalizer, but Merrick made two final stops in the closing minutes to preserve the win.
The win was PSU's first over the Owls on Panther Field and snapped a 10-game losing streak in the series.
Plymouth State improves to 2-8 (1-0 LEC), while Keene State drops to 7-4 (1-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 2, Keene State 1
- Plymouth State (2-8, 1-0 LEC)
- Keene State (7-4, 1-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- PSU struck first on Monahan's sixth goal of the season.
- The Panther defense and Merrick stood tall to keep the Owls off the scoreboard in the opening half.
- Plymouth State doubled its lead when Avery tallied her third goal of the year to make it 2-0 heading into halftime.
- Merrick was sensational through the second half, making nine of her 13 saves.
- A sprawling save near the end of the third quarter kept the Owls at bay.
- Keene State cut the deficit in half in the opening minute of the fourth quarter and the Owls opted for the extra field player with more than seven minutes remaining.
- PSU earned consecutive penalty corners with a chance to add on, but the Owls' defense blocked a shot and it remained a one-goal game.
- Merrick made a pair of saves in the final 90 seconds to seal the win.
By the Numbers:
- Merrick made 13 saves in her season debut.
- Monahan scored her sixth goal of the season.
- Avery's game-winning was her third of the year.
- Berrettini assisted on both goals to give her five on the season.
- PSU's last win in the series came during the 2019 season.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to New England College on Tuesday (Oct. 6) for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Pilgrims.
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