PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- The Plymouth State University field hockey team opened Little East Conference (LEC) play with a 2-1 overtime victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon.
The host Panthers improve to 1-2 on the young season and 1-0 in the Little East, while the Bears fall to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Sophomore forward Haley Wakefield (South Paris, Maine.) potted the game-winning goal 5:23 into overtimee. Wakefield knocked home the rebound of a Jess Mezquita (Atkinson, N.H.) shot to win the game for Plymouth Stae.
The two teams exchanged goals within the first three minutes of the contest. BSU senior forward Julianne Kilduff (Bellingham, Mass.) potted her team-leading third goal of the season just 88 seconds into the game. Junior forward Kaihley Rafferty (Salem, Conn.) tallied the equalizer 58 seconds later off an assist from Mezquita.
PSU had a great chance to take a 2-1 lead in the 19th minute after being awarded a penalty stroke. Junior Kylie Ham (Wayland, Mass.) flipped a shot high to the left post, but BSU senior goalkeeper Allison Chappell (Raynham, Mass.), in a full extension, was able to make the stop. Moments later Bridgewater had a breakaway opportunity, but Plymouth sophomore netminder Jessica Distler (Brookfield, N.H.) was able to deny sophomore Emma Daly's (Foxborough, Mass.) shot with a sprawling save.
Distler turned aside 12 shots to pick up her first win of the season, while Chappell made five saves in the setback for the Bears.
Bridgewater held a 20-15 shot advantage, while Plymouth finished with a 7-5 edge in penalty corners. Three of the Panthers' seven penalty corner attempts came in the extra session.
In upcoming action, the Bears travel to Wellesley College on Thursday for a 4:30 non-conference game with the Blue. The Panthers host LEC foe Framingham State University on Friday night at seven.