The Plymouth State College Women’s Lacrosse team racked up an impressive string of four wins in six exhausting days to extend their win streak to six, with a 19-3 victory over the University of Southern Maine in a Little East Conference match-up at Arold Field on Tuesday. PSC improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the LEC.
“I think our defensive play has definitely helped us win our bigger games,” stated second year Head Coach Wynne Lobel. Panther sophomore Carmen Villanueva had nine saves in the first half, while freshman netminder Melissa Gravilla made ten stops during the second half. “[Gravilla and Villanueva are] intense, engaged, and focused,” enthused Lobel. “[Gravilla and Villanueva] make you feel like [they have] your back.”
Plymouth scored twice within the opening minute of the game. PSC pounced ahead to a 6-0 lead less than eight minutes into the game, and clawed to a 10-0 lead at halftime. Sophomore speed-demon Katie Sheridan led the Plymouth juggernaut with four goals. “She’s explosive, threatening,” explained Lobel. “She catches the attention of a lot of teams.”
Senior captain Brooke Smith, junior Janet Conner, and freshman Annmarie “Deuce” Guglielmo helped break the Huskies defense with three goals apiece. Guglielmo also picked up an assist. PSC’s performance after playing such a grueling schedule surprised many outsiders.
“This past week we’ve been pretty intense,” acknowledged Smith. “We have pretty high expectations…this week has shaped the team for the season.”
Senior Karen Hosmer, juniors Eileen Rice, Melissa Cotton, and Marushka Eddy each flicked a shot into goal, sealing the Plymouth victory.
PSC’s post-season play will be determined this year by their competition with non-LEC teams. Previously, the Panthers competed in the New England Women’s Lacrosse Association. Plymouth earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament last year as the NEWLA champions. This season, the team is in the “at large” category: an independent status where acceptance into the national tourney is determined by the quality of an applicant’s opposition. Acceptance by the NCAA would open Plymouth up to the possibility of playing the top-ranked teams in the country, such as Cortland State, during the opening rounds.
“Our goals are to do the best we can every single game,” stated Lobel. “[We will] make the most out of every learning opportunity that we can.”
The Panthers go on the road for the weekend with a make-up game at Babson on Friday at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Little East Conference game Saturday at Eastern Conneticut at 2:00 p.m.
Smith had a final challenge for all opposing teams. “We will never ever lower our standard of play [we] are always consistent.”