By Jim Fenton

PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team opened the 2024 season with a difficult loss.

After holding a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Bears were edged by Plymouth State University, 3-2, on a goal that was scored with just over two minutes remaining at Panther Field.

Junior Caroline Coleman (Conway, N.H.) netted the game-winning score with 2:15 to play, spoiling BSU's season debut.

The Panthers are now 30-9-1, including 16-2-1 at home in the all-time series against the Bears.

In last season's opener in Bridgewater, Plymouth State pinned a 5-0 loss on the host Bears.

The Panthers held a 14-6 advantage in shots on goal and a 29-7 edge in shots.

BSU got a pair of goals less than a minute apart from sophomore midfielder Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.) in the second period for the 2-0 lead.

Zuber scored the first goal of her college career 19:19 into the game with freshman Taylor Carter (Walpole, Mass.) assisting.

Zuber, who tallied a pair of assists in her freshman season, made it a two-goal lead 20:14 into the game with an unassisted goal.

That would be all the scoring for the Bears as Plymouth State senior goalkeeper Piper Sherbert (Freeport, Maine) made four saves.

The Panthers got on the scoreboard 5:09 into the second half when graduate student Mackenzie Labrie (Canaan, N.H.) scored from junior Ellie Monahan (Watertown, Mass.).

Labrie then tied the game with 1:55 to go in the third period on an unassisted goal.

Coleman broke the tie and sent the Panthers to the opening-day victory with her unassisted goal at 57:46.

BSU junior Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.), making her collegiate debut in goal, had 11 saves.

The Bears are idle until Sept. 7 when they play the home opener against Eastern Connecticut State University at noon at Mazzaferro Field.

Plymouth State plays the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday night.