PLYMOUTH – Freshman Brittany Phelps’ first career goal proved to be the stand-out shot of the game as it carried the Plymouth State University Women’s Soccer team to a 1-0 shutout victory over Rhode Island College on Saturday evening in a Little East Conference match-up at Panther Field.
PSU improved to 5-7-2 overall, and 2-4-0 in the LEC with the win on Saturday. The Anchorwomen, who have already clinched a spot in the upcoming Little East Conference Tournament fell to 12-5-0 overall, and 3-3-0 in the conference.
The Panthers’ offense started strong despite the chilly temperatures, but the Anchorwomen held on. It was only six minutes into the first half when the Panthers earned the decisive 1-0 lead after Brittany Phelps received a cross from Stacy DiSabato, who earned her third assist of the year. Both teams remained relatively even through most of the first half, neither team allowing another to budge under the blustery conditions. PSU entered halftime leading over the Anchorwomen with six shots, while RIC failed to muster a shot in the first half of play.
The Panthers and Anchorwomen kept one another on their toes throughout the entire second half, both teams struggling to keep one another from getting the upper hand. The Panthers nearly jeopardized their lead late in the game when RIC nailed a goal off junior Ashley Riberdy, but the play was overturned after an offsides call.
Cold and anxious fans watched on as time slowly expired and the Panthers claimed their fifth shutout of the year. The Panthers’ shutout of RIC was the first since 2003. The Panthers finished with eight shots compared to the Anchorwomen’s four shots.
PSU goalkeeper Ashley Riberdy earned her third shutout of the season in her fifth start of the season, making only three saves in her victorious effort. Riberdy has only allowed four goals this season and has made 23 saves in her six games played. Sophomore Krissie Pyznski finished with six saves for RIC.
The Panthers will wrap-up their regular season Saturday afternoon when they travel to UMass Dartmouth in a Little East Conference showdown where both teams will fight for the sixth and final LEC play-off berth. The Little East Conference Tournament will begin on Tuesday, October 31.