PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Maggie MacDonald (Pembroke, Mass.) scored her first goal of the season, but Western Connecticut State University struck twice early to defeat Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's soccer match at Arold Field on Saturday morning.
WestConn jumped on the Panthers early, scoring a pair of goals within the first 12 minutes of play. Things settled for a long time from there, with both teams trading chances.
The Panthers finally got on the board in the 88th minute when MacDonald volleyed home a cross from senior
Piper Sullivan (Laconia, N.H.), but the Wolves were able to hold on over the final minutes to take the road win.
Plymouth State falls to 4-2-0 (0-2-0 LEC), while the Wolves move to 4-1-3 (2-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, WestConn 2
- Plymouth State (4-2-0, 0-2-0 LEC)
- WestConn (4-1-3, 2-0-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers came out firing with a pair of early scoring chances. Just one minute into the match, MacDonald sent a cross to the top of the box to freshman Bella Coporale (Stafford Springs, Conn.), who one-timed a shot on goal that was stopped.
- Just a few minutes later, sophomore Islah Godo (Topsham, Maine) sent a cross that led to a scramble in the box. The ball found classmate Clara Wilson (Montpelier, Vt.), but her shot from just outside the six was also stopped.
- WestConn responded in a big way starting at the 10-minute mark when a shot from outside the box found its way in. Just one minute later, the Panthers found themselves down a pair when a low cross was tapped into the back of the net.
- The Wolves almost tallied a third a few minutes before halftime, but freshman goalkeeper Liv Desruisseaux (Dracut, Mass.) made a diving save on a low shot to keep the deficit at two.
- Plymouth State looked to get on the board 15 minutes into the second half when a Godo cross found senior Drea Oswell (Stafford Springs, Conn.), who volleyed a ball toward goal. MacDonald's back heel from right in front of the keeper was just kept out.
- The Panthers struck late when Sullivan sent a cross to MacDonald, who sent a powerful volley into the net.
- Plymouth State pushed for an equalizer late, but couldn't generate a chance in the final minutes.
By the Numbers:
- The Wolves had a slight edge in shots, 13-12.
- WestConn also led in shots on goal, 10-6.
- The Panthers created five corner kick chances to the Wolves' three.
- Desruisseaux made a career-high eight saves in her second career start.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Elms College in a non-conference match on Tuesday (Sept. 22) at 4 p.m.
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