DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Senior
Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) posted six points and Plymouth State University allowed just one second-half goal to top the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 13-7, in the Panthers' Little East Conference (LEC) opener at Cressy Field on Friday night.
UMass Dartmouth jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Panthers used an 8-0 run into the middle of the second quarter to take the lead. The Corsairs closed the half on a 3-0 spurt, then scored midway through the third quarter to cut the deficit to 8-7, but that would be the last goal the Panthers surrendered. Cunningham scored back-to-back goals to end the third, and PSU tacked on three more in the fourth quarter to account for the final score.
Plymouth State improves to 2-5 (1-0 LEC), while the Corsairs fall to 3-6 (0-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 13, UMass Dartmouth 7
- Plymouth State (2-5, 1-0 LEC)
- UMass Dartmouth (3-6, 0-2 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Corsairs raced out to a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.
- Cunningham got the Panthers on the board midway through the first quarter to spark an 8-0 surge.
- Freshmen Karina Bosco (North Dighton, Mass.) and Grace Hoover (Salem, N.H.) and sophomore Claire Joyce (Braintree, Mass.) all scored in the final six minutes to take the lead, 4-3, heading to the second.
- Joyce scored back-to-back goals to start the second quarter and Bosco and Cunningham added tallies as the PSU lead grew to 8-3 with 8:39 left before halftime.
- UMass Dartmouth answered with a 3-0 spurt, including a goal in the final seconds, to pull within 8-6 at the half.
- The hosts added the first goal of the third quarter midway through the frame to cut the deficit to one, 8-7.
- Cunningham slowed the momentum with a pair of goals just a minute apart to restore the three-goal cushion, 10-7, heading to the fourth quarter.
- Hoover, Joyce and freshman Olivia Thibert (Dighton, Mass.) all chipped in insurance goals in the final frame to account for the 13-7 result.
By the Numbers:
- Cunningham finished with four goals and two assists, while Joyce added four goals and an assist.
- Bosco had a five-point game with two goals and three assists.
- Hoover scored twice.
- Freshman Paige Carrow (Mansfield, Mass.) led the Panthers with five ground balls.
- Hoover added three draw controls and a ground ball to her stat line while converting both of her free position attempts.
- Freshman Caitlin Snow (Peabody, Mass.) posted eight saves to earn the win.
- Plymouth State held an 18-10 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Panthers were a perfect 19-for-19 in clears. UMass Dartmouth went 13-for-18.
- PSU edged the Corsairs, 18-14, in ground balls and converted 3-for-4 free position attempts.
- Plymouth State is 28-1 against the Corsairs all time, winning each of the last 19 meetings.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host Bridgewater State on Tuesday (Mar. 31) at 4 p.m.
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