Lady Panthers Pulverize Bears

Last Saturday, April 30 at Arold Field, a lacrosse game took place that featured the women of Plymouth State attempting to win their third straight game and boost their record to an impressive 8 – 4. The weather was typical for this late April exhibition, and when the two teams lined up to pay tribute to the flag, it was most evident who was ready to play and who the wind and cold was affecting most. The ladies of Plymouth bounced eagerly, anxious to get the game underway, while a stand-still Bridgewater State University seemed ready, but not as determined and hungry as the Panthers. With the rain steadily increasing, it was uncertain how the teams would fare in such dismal conditions, but Plymouth pressed forward and collected the first goal of the game by Meg Cupoli, assisted by Nicole Evans. The first half was wet and wild, with the Panthers scoring four goals but relinquishing their lead when the Bears tied the score at four all with 17:41 left. The Panthers then ran off another three scores before another Bear goal cut it to 7 – 5. At the 7:11 mark a Nicole Evans goal anted up the score once again off an Amanda Spadfora assist, and then at 4:01 a Liz Boddy goal rose the lead to 9 – 5 before the Bears closed the half with one more. With the second half underway, fans and spectators alike were beginning to wonder if Plymouth was ever going to pull away. When two unanswered Bear goals cut the lead to 9 – 8 at the 27:46 mark, the Plymouth faithful was beginning to worry. With the rain pouring and the wind blowing, the pride and will of the Panthers was not to be overcome, and the poor Bears of Bridgewater State were to remain scoreless from there on out. The second half featured an array of great goals, assists, saves, and teamwork, probably none better then when Steph Blanchette raced to a corner to save possession and then fired an assist to Bethany Brown for a bountiful 17 – 8 lead. The team was a delight to watch in the final half, with seemingly every girl taking part in dismantling the weaker Bear squad, which would eventually end in a 20-8 final. Bethany Brown and Liz Boddy combined for eleven goals on a variety of moves and shots, with Brown matching her career-high with six goals and an assist, and Boddy reaching her career best with five scores. Kelsey MacDonald and Nicole Evans each contributed four points to the Panther offense, MacDonald with two goals and two assists, and Evans with a goal and three assists. Caitlyn Irving added three goals, Meg Cupoli chipped in with two, and Amanda Spadafora finished with a goal and two assists. MacDonald also led PSU with nine ground balls and five draw controls.Not to be left out, goalies Kristin Elliot played exceptionally well in the first half, and Suzie Lilakos was the quintessential bear-hunter for the team, shutting the team out.The win was a special one for Plymouth Head Coach Paula Habel. She graduated from Bridgewater State in 2003, and was an all-star for the Bears during her tenure.