PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman
Hannah Bub (Groveland, Mass.) made a career-high 15 saves and junior
Georgia Coleman (North Conway, N.H.) forced overtime with a late goal, but Johnson & Wales University edged Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a non-conference field hockey game at Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex on Tuesday evening.
PSU started the game with offensive pressure and tested the Wildcats' goaltender early. The Panthers held a decisive shot advantage after the first frame, but the score remained 0-0. Both defenses settled in during the second quarter, with neither team able to find the back of the cage as the game remained scoreless into halftime.
Bub and the Panther defense were tested in the third quarter, but turned away every JWU chance. As time expired, the Wildcats were awarded a penalty stroke, and the hosts converted to take a 1-0 lead into the final 15 minutes.
A back-and-forth final quarter left the Panthers searching for an answer. Coleman found a loose ball after senior
Abby Bsullak (Poland, Maine) fired a shot through the defense. Coleman then sent a crossing pass toward the far post that deflected off a defender and into the cage, tying the game at 1-1 with 3:38 to play.
Both teams had their chances in the extra session, with Bub making a pair of strong saves. PSU had a chance in transition, but the shot went just wide before the Wildcats scored on the counterattack to earn the 2-1 win.
Plymouth State falls to 1-8, while the Wildcats improve to 6-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, JWU 2 (OT)
- Plymouth State (1-8)
- JWU (6-2)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers put the pressure on early but couldn't solve the Wildcats' goaltender.
- Defense ruled at both ends of the field in the second quarter, keeping the score 0-0 at halftime.
- Bub and the Panther defense held the JWU offense at bay until the final seconds of the third.
- JWU earned a penalty stroke as time expired, which they converted for a 1-0 lead.
- PSU pushed back in the final frame, with Coleman scoring with just 3:38 remaining in regulation to tie things at 1-1.
- The Wildcats found themselves on a breakout chance in the extra session and fired a shot past Bub for the 2-1 win.
By the Numbers:
- Bub made a career-high 15 saves in the setback.
- Coleman scored her third goal of the season.
- Bsullak fired a team-high three shots on goal.
- JWU held an 18-8 edge in shots on goal.
- Each team earned nine penalty corners.
- This was just the fourth meeting between the two teams. All four have been decided by a single goal.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts Keene State on Friday (Oct. 2) at 5 p.m. in the annual Dot Diehl Game as part of Homecoming weekend.
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