Plymouth, N.H.- Plymouth State’s women’s lacrosse team suffered a tough loss last Saturday to Western Connecticut State University, 10-8. This brings the team’s record to 7-7 overall, and 2-4 in Little East Conference play. Due to this loss, the Panthers had to play West Conn this past Tuesday in the opening round of the LEC playoffs.
The first half was one of the best halves that the Panthers have played all year, as they led at halftime 7-4 on Senior Day (more on senior day later). First half goals were scored by Cait Swanson (Holderness, N.H.), Carol Messler (Durham, N.H.), Jenn Foley (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Emily Buckle (Danbury, Conn.) while Lorin Field (Hollis, N.H.) made multiple saves to keep West Conn from having a shot. The Panthers had a lot of momentum going into halftime, and it seemed as if they were well on their way to another win. This thought soon came to an end when the second half started.
The Colonials started the second half on a 6-0 run, and had possession of the ball for the majority of the half. The Panthers committed 20 fouls in the second half, which allowed Western Connecticut to have 14 shots on goal. The Panthers continued to battle to the very end though, as Cait Swanson added her 4th goal (43rd on the season) to make the score 10-8 with 2:18 left. Plymouth State was unable to capitalize on this goal though, as they were shut out in the remaining 2:18.
Games like the one against West Conn seem to have been the story of the Panthers this season, as they will put two quarters together and look like one of the best teams in the LEC, but are unable to close out games. The Panthers have shown that they can contend with any team within their conference, as they have had at least a share of the lead in every game this season. If the Panthers can just keep it together for a full 60 minute span, they have the ability to go far in the playoffs.
As previously stated, the game against West Conn was senior day for the Panthers, as senior Kathryn Rogers (Wolfeboro, N.H.) was acknowledged before the start of the game. When I asked Head Coach Kristin Blanchette about Rogers, Blanchette said that Rogers “works so hard and deserves everything she has done.” The hard work that Rogers has done this year not only contributes on the stat sheet (23 points this season), but Rogers is one of the scrappiest players on the team by having a team leading 46 draw controls this year. Rogers has appeared in all but one game in her collegiate career, and has started in 30 games between her four years at Plymouth. Kathryn Rogers is a player that the Panthers will miss greatly next season, not just because of her ability on the field, but her leadership as a teammate off of it as well.