PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State College Women’s Lacrosse team cruised past Rhode Island College 14-2 in a Little East Conference match-up last Saturday at Arold Field. The win brought the Panthers to a 7-3 overall and 4-0 in the Little East. The loss drops the Anchormen to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The Panthers literally had the game bagged in less than 10 seconds. Junior Katie Sheridan opened up Plymouth’s scoring spree with two goals in less than a minute, while senior Eileen Rice also added a goal to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead after just 41 seconds of play. Plymouth would add another goal two minutes later when freshman Bethany Brown redirected a lob pass from senior Beth Dooly into the Anchormen goal, giving the Panthers a 4-0 lead before the Anchormen’s first possession.
While their offense was the highlight of the game, the Panther defense also proved to be too much for Rhode Island. The Anchormen were unable to get their first shot on net until eight minutes into the game, and that point the Panthers already led 5-0. Rhode Island was also held down for a full four minutes around the Panther net without managing a single shot before a pass was intercepted and taken downfield for another Panther goal. In all, the Anchormen managed just three shots on net in the first half, all of which were turned away by Panther goalie, junior Carmen Villanueva.
With the score now 7-0, the Panthers launched another quick barrage on the Anchormen goal. Plymouth went up 8-0 after a shot by Bethany Brown trickled into the net, followed by a goal from freshman Lilly Silva just 30 seconds later. Only another minute would pass before Beth Dooly redirected a behind-the-net pass from Brown, giving Plymouth a 10-0 lead.
It was 11-0 when Plymouth began to settle down. Instead of shooting on goal, the Panthers instead turned to passing, running down the clock for the remainder of the half. Lilly Silva would add another goal before time expired, giving the Panthers a 12-0 lead at the half.
The Panthers continued their passing exposition in the second half, putting on a six and a half minute show before finally shooting, collecting another goal and a 13-0 lead. The game wouldn’t end in a shutout, however, as Rhode Island finally collected its first goal with seven minutes remaining in the game. The Anchormen would notch one more, but it was far from enough, as the Panthers sailed away with the easy victory.
Bethany Brown led Panther scoring with three goals and two assists, while Katie Sheridan, Lilly Silva and Eileen Rice all notched two goals in the first half. Carmen Villanueva’s quiet day in the net included six saves, facing less than ten shots for the first time this season.
Lacrosse coach Wynne Lobel, in her third season coaching here at Plymouth State, was very pleased with the outcome of the game. “We controlled the ball for 90% of the game.” She said that her game plan was to hold and to move the ball for four minutes and to see five opportunities, and that “every game has to be a learning opportunity. One mind, one team, versus a free-for-all score fest.” She mentioned that Plymouth State will most likely be hosting the Little East Conference Championships this year, and is very excited about that opportunity. She is also very pleased by how well her team is doing this year, saying, “You can’t go to school for less than $18,00 a year and be in the top 30 in lacrosse unless you go to Plymouth State.” The Panthers, 4-0 in the LEC and 7-3 overall, will play their next home game Sunday against Western Connecticut.