Field Hockey Topped by Plymouth State
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University field hockey team was defeated at home this afternoon 3-1 by Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference match up at Maple Street Field.
With the win, Plymouth improves to 9-4 on the season and 8-1 in the conference, while the Rams slip to 8-8 overall and 2-7 in the Little East.
Plymouth State controlled play in the first half outshooting the Rams 17-3, but could only score twice as Framingham State University freshman goalie Sarah Palace (Auburn, Mass.) made nine first half saves. Plymouth finally struck in the 18th minute when senior Jackie Morin (Scarborough, ME) blasted a shot at the cage that deflected off the post right to freshman Kaitlyn Wilder (Framingham, Mass.). Wilder deposited the rebound in the back of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
The Rams answered with a marker of their own in the 28th minute to tie the score. Senior Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) sent a cross to classmate Cassandra Koegel (Groveland, Mass.) in the circle. Koegel knocked it home and into the empty net for the equalizer.
The Panthers answered three minutes later as they took advantage of one of their eight first half penalty corners to take the lead for good. Senior Lauren Carroll (Rollinsford, NH) inserted the ball on the corner to junior Nikki Garvey (Canaan, NH) at the top of the circle. Garvey fired a shot into the cage for her 19th marker of the season and a 2-1 halftime lead for the visitors.
Plymouth added an insurance marker to their lead with a second goal off a penalty corner just over eight minutes into the second half. Carroll once again inserted the ball, this time to freshman Marsha Lange (Danville, NH) and Lange scored on a shot from the top of the circle.
The Panthers outshot the Rams 30-4 in the game and held a 15-1 edge in penalty corners. Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, NH) made one save en route to the victory in the net for the visitors. Palace ties her career-high as she finished with 18 saves, but was tagged with the loss.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Little East Conference foe Keene State at 2 p.m., while the Panthers host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday in a Little East clash beginning at noon.