WATERVILLE, Maine – Graduate student
Piper Sullivan (Laconia, N.H.) scored the game's only goal in the 34th minute to lift Plymouth State University to a 1-0 win over Thomas College in the season opener at Smith Field on Tuesday night.
Sophomore
Clare Tuohy (Sunapee, N.H.) made a nifty move around a defender on the near sideline to create space before sending a cross from the edge of the box. Sulivan beat the Thomas keeper to the ball and flicked it into the open net.
The Panthers controlled play throughout, firing 25 shots without allowing a single shot on goal, but the Thomas keepers combined for nine saves to keep things close.
Plymouth State starts the season 1-0-0, while Thomas falls to 0-1-0.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Thomas 0
- Plymouth State (1-0-0)
- Thomas (0-1-0)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers threatened in the 15th minute as sophomore Islah Godo (Topsham, Maine) lifted a cross that found the head of classmate Maggie MacDonald (Pembroke, Mass.) in the box, but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.
- Tuohy got past a defender on the near sideline before sending a centering feed from the edge of the box. Sullivan converted to give PSU a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
- Sophomore Sophie West (Rochester, N.H.) collected a bouncing ball at midfield and made a strong run past a defender before a give-and-go with Tuohy created a chance in the 43rd minute. Her left-footed strike was controlled by the keeper, however, and PSU took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
- West stepped in to break up a potential chance for the Terriers early in the second half, disrupting a through ball before carrying the ball through space to create a scoring opportunity for Sullivan.
- MacDonald had an opportunity to extend the margin as she streaked down the right side, but the keeper made a diving stop to deny the bid.
- PSU's defense sealed the win, limiting the hosts to just one shot over the final 44 minutes.
By the Numbers:
- Sullivan's tally was her fifth in 17 games as a Panther.
- Tuohy recorded her first career assist.
- MacDonald fired a game-high six shots in 53 minutes of action.
- Sophomore Corinne Palhof (Loudon, N.H.) led the Panthers with three shots on goal.
- Plymouth State held a 25-3 shot advantage and earned seven corner kicks to Thomas' three.
- Freshmen Gabby Morell (Landenberg, Pa.) and Liv Desruisseaux (Dracut, Mass.) combined for the shutout without needing to make a save.
- Plymouth State improves to 3-0-0 in the all-time series.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Fisher College in the home opener on Friday (Sept. 4) at 4 p.m. The game will serve as the team's Morgan's Message game, raising awareness for student-athlete mental health.
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