KEENE, N.H. – Freshman
Colby Walden (Londonderry, N.H.) scored a game-high five goals as fifth-seeded Plymouth State University blitzed fourth-seeded Keene State College, 17-6, in the first round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Lacrosse Tournament at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday evening.
Plymouth State improves to 8-8 and advances to the semifinal round at top-seeded Western Connecticut State University on Thursday (Apr. 30). Keene State ends its season at 9-7.
The Panthers wasted little time taking control, scoring four times in the opening 7:22. Keene State got on the board with 6:09 left in the first quarter, but PSU answered with five consecutive goals to build a 9-1 lead midway through the second.
Plymouth State pushed the advantage to double digits, 13-3, midway through the third quarter. The Owls responded with a 3-1 spurt to cut the deficit to 14-6 entering the fourth, but the Panthers sealed the win with three straight goals.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 17, Keene State 6
- Plymouth State (8-8)
- Keene State (9-7)
How it Happened:
- Freshman James Celio (Amston, Conn.) and Walden each scored in the first four minutes, and sophomore Eli Gomes (Milford, Conn.) and freshman Hunter Richards (Durham, Maine) added early tallies to make it 4-0 over the first 7:22.
- Keene State attempted to slow the momentum, but sophomore Blake McPherson (Windham, Maine) responded to give PSU a 5-1 lead after the first quarter.
- Walden and senior Brady Hunt (Billerica, Mass.) scored two goals apiece in the first seven minutes of the second quarter to extend the lead to 9-1. The teams traded goals late in the period to make it 10-2 at halftime.
- PSU extended the gap to double digits, 13-3, with a 3-1 spurt to open the third quarter. Keene State answered with a 3-1 run of its own to pull within 14-6 entering the fourth.
- The Panthers put the game away with three consecutive fourth-quarter goals to account for the final score.
By the Numbers:
- Walden finished with five goals and three assists.
- McPherson added three goals, four assists, and two ground balls.
- Hunt, Celio, and junior Kevin Cougler (Dover, N.H.) each scored twice. Hunt added two assists, while Celio chipped in one.
- Sophomore Gabriel Bonessi (Milford, Conn.) tied for the game-high with five ground balls, while classmate Spencer Kennedy (East Lyme, Conn.) had three caused turnovers.
- Graduate goalie Ethan Schena (Methuen, Mass.) made 12 saves.
- Plymouth State held a 27-18 advantage in shots and a 42-40 edge in ground balls.
- The victory was Plymouth State's first postseason win over the Owls.
Up Next:
- PSU travels to top-seeded WestConn for a semifinal matchup on Thursday (Apr. 30).
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