GORHAM, Maine – Three different players scored and Plymouth State University improved to 3-0-0 for the first time in program history, defeating the University of Southern Maine, 3-1, in Little East Conference (LEC) women's ice hockey action at USM Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore
Sofia Cuozzo (Guilford, Conn.) opened the scoring six minutes into the first period with a low-angle shot, and junior
Maci Peller (Broomfield, Colo.) doubled the lead four minutes into the second period.
Southern Maine scored early in the third period to make it a one-goal game, but Plymouth State killed off a penalty before senior
Lilli Warnock (Bernardsville, N.J.) added an insurance goal in the final minute.
Plymouth State improves to 3-0-0 (2-0-0 LEC), opening the season with three straight wins for the first time in the 21-year history of the program. Southern Maine falls to 1-2-0 (1-1-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Southern Maine 1
- Plymouth State (3-0-0, 2-0-0 LEC)
- Southern Maine (1-2-0, 1-1-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State took the lead at 6:00 of the first period when Cuozzo collected the puck after a blocked shot and fired a wrist shot from the bottom of the left circle past the Southern Maine goaltender.
- Peller doubled the margin when she stuffed in a rebound during a scramble in front of the Southern Maine goal 3:55 into the second period.
- The Huskies made it a one-goal game just over four minutes into the third period.
- Looking for the equalizer, Southern Maine increased the offensive pressure and went on the power play midway through the frame, but the Huskies managed just one shot on goal before Lehner turned it aside.
- Warnock sealed the win in the final minute, slamming home a rebound at the near post to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Lehner made 25 saves and ranks second in the league with a .977 save percentage and 0.67 goals-against average.
- Peller's goal was the first of her career.
- Cuozzo and Rutigliano each recorded points for the second straight game.
- Plymouth State held a 34-26 advantage in shots on goal.
- Neither team was successful on the power play. PSU finished 0-for-3, while the Huskies were 0-for-2.
- Southern Maine had won 11 of the previous 12 matchups, including last year's meeting in the first round of the LEC Tournament.
- Plymouth State's last road win in the series came on Nov. 9, 2019.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State opens its home schedule against No. 2 Norwich for the annual Salute the Troops game on Friday (Nov. 13). Puck drop is set for 5 p.m.
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