Box Score PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman Liv Desruisseaux (Dracut, Mass.) made seven saves, but Eastern Connecticut State University scored three times in the second half to top Plymouth State University, 4-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's soccer match at Arold Field as part of PSU's Homecoming weekend on Friday.
 
The Warriors grabbed an early lead on a strong header off a corner kick in the third minute. Plymouth State found success playing long balls over the top to senior Piper Sullivan (Laconia, N.H.), generating scoring chances for sophomores Islah Godo (Topsham, Maine) and Maggie MacDonald (Pembroke, Mass.), but the Eastern Connecticut goalkeeper turned both bids away to keep the score 1-0 at halftime.
 
Eastern Connecticut controlled play in the second half, outshooting the Panthers, 16-2, to extend its lead and Plymouth State was unable to mount a comeback.
 
Plymouth State falls to 7-3-0 (1-3-0 LEC), while the Warriors improve to 7-2-0 (3-0-0 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, Eastern Connecticut 4
  • Plymouth State (7-3-0, 1-3-0 LEC)
  • Eastern Connecticut (7-2-0, 3-0-0 LEC)

How it Happened:

• The Warriors grabbed an early lead when a corner kick was headed into the top-left corner in the third minute.
• Plymouth State had success with Sullivan running down long passes through the defense, leading to scoring chances for Godo and MacDonald, but the ECSU goalkeeper was up to the task.
• The score remained 1-0 at halftime.
• The Warriors doubled the lead in the 58th minute when a forward won the race to a long pass over the top and slipped a shot past Desruisseaux to make it 2-0.
• ECSU continued to pressure, and a long shot to the top-left corner extended the lead to 3-0 in the 72nd minute.
• Three minutes later, the Warriors added a fourth goal when a clearance attempt deflected into the goal.
• Plymouth State was unable to rally as Eastern Connecticut closed out the victory.

By the Numbers:

• Desruisseaux finished with seven saves.
• MacDonald had a team-high four shots.
• Shots were even at 6-6 after the first half, but the Warriors held a 16-2 advantage over the final 45 minutes.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State hosts Fitchburg State on Monday (Oct. 5) at 3 p.m.