PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Corinne Palhof (Loudon, N.H.) converted a penalty kick in the 83rd minute for the game's lone goal as Plymouth State University blanked Salem State University, 1-0, in a non-conference women's soccer match at Arold Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Panthers controlled play throughout and created multiple scoring chances, but were unable to find the back of the net until Palhof was awarded a penalty kick following a handball in the box. She calmly delivered from the spot to put Plymouth State in front. The Panthers didn't allow a single shot over the second half, helping freshman
Liv Desruisseaux (Dracut, Mass.) record her second clean sheet in the last three games.
Plymouth State improves to 7-2-0, marking its most wins in a season since the 2019 team finished 8-10-0, while the Vikings drop to 0-6-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Salem State 0
- Plymouth State (7-2-0)
- Salem State (0-6-2)
How it Happened:
- Desruisseaux was tested early but was up to the task, while Plymouth State countered with multiple chances over the opening 25 minutes.
- Senior Piper Sullivan (Laconia, N.H.) and sophomore Maggie MacDonald (Pelham, Mass.) both had shots turned away by the Viking goalkeeper.
- Salem State's best chance came on a free kick from 30 yards out. Desruisseaux, battling the sun, bobbled the shot but recovered in time to keep the game scoreless.
- The Vikings had one last opportunity in the 35th minute, but sophomore Clara Wilson (Montpelier, Vt.) headed the ball out of danger, and Salem State wouldn't threaten again.
- Freshman Bella Coporale (Stafford Springs, Conn.) made a run down the right side before sending a cross to the far post, but a shot from senior Emily Olsen (Freeport, Maine) rolled wide of the goal.
- Sophomore Islah Godo (Topsham, Maine) had a pair of well-struck shots from beyond the 18 in the closing minutes of the half, but the Salem State goalkeeper kept the game scoreless into halftime.
- Plymouth State dominated possession in the second half and did not allow the Vikings to register a single shot. Sullivan had a flurry of shots over a 10-minute span, both three of her attempts on goal were turned aside.
- Sophomore Gracey LeBlanc (Gilmanton, N.H.) sent a free kick from midfield toward the top of the box with less than eight minutes to play, and a Viking defender was whistled for a handball. Palhof stepped to the spot and delivered a perfect shot inside the post for what would prove to be the game winner.
By the Numbers:
- Palhof's goal was her second of the season.
- Desruisseaux finished with three saves to post her second clean sheet and improve to 5-1-0.
- Sullivan had a game-high seven shots, including four on goal.
- The Panthers owned a 17-4 shot advantage, an 8-3 edge in shots on goal, and earned nine corners while conceding just one.
- PSU's seven wins are the most since the 2019 team finished 8-10-0.
- Plymouth State improves to 21-16-2 in the series and is unbeaten in the last seven meetings (6-0-1).
Up Next:
- PSU kicks off Homecoming weekend on Friday (Oct. 2) when Eastern Connecticut State comes to Arold Field. Opening kick is set for 3 p.m.
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