Plymouth State2, Worcester State 1
Plymouth, NH --- Freshman Karleigh Chase (Wells, ME) scored the game-winning goal with no time left on the clock Tuesday afternoon as second-seeded Plymouth State University pulled out a 2-1 victory over seventh-seeded Worcester State College in a quarterfinal game of the Little East Conference Field Hockey Tournament at Arold Field.
Chase finished off a Panther penalty corner with time winding down. WSC senior Erin MacDonald (Dedham, MA), who was outstanding throughout the game, especially in the second half, made the initial save, but Chase was there for the rebound. Macdonald made the save on Chases shot, but the ball deflected off of MacDonald's pad, off a Lancer defender, and ended up in the back of the net for the go-ahead marker. It was the seventh consecutive win for PSU and the second time that the Panthers have won a game with no time remaining this season.
The Panthers, 12-6 overall, advance to the semifinal game on Thursday at 2 PM at Arold Field against the winner of Tuesday evening's contest between sixth-seeded Westfield State and third-seeded UMass Dartmouth.
Plymouth State and the Lancers played to a scoreless first half, with the Panthers outshooting the Blue and Gold 10-1. PSU had an excellent chance to get on the board, but senior Ashley Gutowski (Conway, NH) was wide with a penalty stroke attempt midway through the frame.
The Panthers dominated the second half, registering a 31-5 advantage in shots over the final 35 minutes of play, but had to come from behind to take the victory. Worcester State got on the board first when senior Ginelle Blais (Marlboro, MA) knocked in her fifth goal of the season just three minutes into the second half.
Plymouth State peppered the Lancers goal with shot after shot, but MacDonald kept the home team at bay. An apparent goal by junior Morgan Lemmon (Guilford, NH) with 28 minutes remaining was waived off because of a dangerous play.
Lemmon came right back to score the equalizer for PSU four minutes later, taking a penalty corner pass from teammate Sarah Smith (Lexington, MA) and rifling a shot past MacDonald.
Worcester State managed to get the ball out of their own end only twice in the last 25 minutes but it appeared headed into overtime until Chase scored the game-winner with 0:00 on the clock.
MacDonald finished recording 22 saves for the Lancers, who drop to 11-9. PSU freshman keeper Elyse Sedgley (Hopkinton, NH) earned the victory making four stops.
The LEC title game is slated for Saturday at the site of the highest remaining seed, with the champion receiving an automatic bearth in the NCAA Tournament. Worcester State will await word on a possible ECAC bid on Monday.
Release Courtesy of Plymouth State
University Sports Information