PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Stephanie Barry (Pembroke, MA) scored two goals
and senior Ashley Panzini (Saugus, MA) added a
goal and an assist Sunday afternoon as Bridgewater State College
defeated Plymouth State University, 3-1, in the Little East
Conference field hockey regular season finale for both schools.
The Panthers had a 14-6 advantage in shots and an 8-2 margin in
penalty corners, but could not get quality chances against the
Bears. BSC took advantage of their opportunities and pulled out the
win to clinch fourth place in the LEC and earn the final home-field
berth for the first round of this week’s conference
tournament.
Panzini put the Bears on the board just 11 minutes into the game with her 10th goal of the season. PSU tied the contest about 10 minutes later when senior Rachel Kirschner (Burlington, CT) knocked in a rebound after BSC senior goalie Nicole Downs (Hanover, MA) madeseveral saves but could not clear the ball. Downs finished the game with 10 saves to collect the win.
Just as time was winding down in the first half, Barry scored the first of her two goals for the Bears, with an assist from Panzini, with just 27 seconds showing on the clock.
Plymouth State carried much of the play in the second half, but could get only five shots off. Barry scored the only goal of the second half, her fifth of the season, with 11:34 remaining to give the Bears a two-goal cushion, and the visitors held on for the win.
PSU, 9-7 overall and 8-3 in LEC games, will be the third seed in
this week’s LEC Tournament, and will host sixth-seeded Salem
State College on Tuesday in a quarterfinal game at Arold Field
(2:30 p.m.).
BSC, 12-5 overall and 7-4 in conference play, will be the fourth
seed in the tournament and will host fifthseeded Framingham State
on Tuesday (time TBA).
Release courtesy of Plymouth State University Sports Information
department