PLYMOUTH, NH- On Friday November 8th, the Plymouth State Womenʼs Ice Hockey team suffered a 4-1 loss to the University of Southern Maine Huskies (USM). The game was the first conference opener for both teams in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). This loss was the second loss out of three games for the Lady Panthers (1-2-0). The win for the Huskies (2-0-0) put them on a two game winning streak.
USM senior Erin Banfield was the only one to score in the first period, putting the Huskies ahead at 9:25. While on a power play, USM freshmen Anne- Marie Provencal shot from the blue line, where Banfield was able to tip it just past Panther senior goalie Jennifer Wisniewski (North Ridgeville, Ohio). USM Sophomore Chelsea Boucher scored the only goal in the second period, putting the Huskies up 2-0 going into the third. In the third, Husky freshmen Ally Vanidestine scored at 0:59 to make it 3-0. Minutes after, junior Maggie Lane was able to sneak the puck past Wisniewki during a scramble in front of the net.
Panther senior Ali Ponte (Richmond Hill, Ontario) relieved Wisniewki at 16:15 after the final goal. Wisniewki finished with 14 saves for the game. However, the Panthers were able to steal USM goalie Liz Bergstrom chance of having her second straight shutout. Plymouths goal was scored by freshmen Sara Huff (Frisco, Texas), during a 5-on-3 advantage. Huff sniped top right shelf on Bergstrom, making the score 4-1. Senior Jamie OʼBrien (Chelmsford, Mass.) and freshmen Haley Branovan (Wexford, PA) were able to collect the assists to Plymouths only goal. The Panthers failed to beat the Huskies with shots on net, with a total of 21-23. Ponte finished the game with 5 saves. During the contest, the Panthers were only able to capitalize once out of six power play opportunities.
Just a week later, on November 15th, the Panthers hosted the Spartans of Castleton State College for their first home game of the season. Unfortunately, the Panthers fell to the Spartans 7-2 for their second conference loss.
During the middle of the second period, the game was tied 2-2, after goals from senior Allison Collins (Murrieta, Calif) and sophomore Marisa Zamrock (Lewiston, Maine). ”
The only goal scored in the first period was scored by Castleton junior, Jessica Spidle, ripping a shot that went top shelf on Ponte. Despite going into the second period down by 2, the Panthers were able to score early to tie it up. At 2:40 into the second period, Collins was able to gain control of the loose puck and put it in the back of the net.
However the Spartanʼs gained control of the game after Spartan freshman Michelle Baillargeon scored from the left post at 14:47. Just 28 seconds later, Spartan sophomore Nicoline Jensen snuck the puck right by Ponte, on the left side post. The last three goals of the game were scored by Castleton junior BriAnna Narodowy in the second period; Freshmen Kimberly Gosselin in the third; and then Jensen again for her second goal of the game.
The Spartans out shot the Panthers 41-19 at the end of the game. Ponte finished the game with 34 saves and Spartan junior goalie Paula Stephens finished with 17 saves.
Putting the two loses behind them, the Panthers prepared for another home game that Saturday, November 16th, against the Pilgrims of New England College (NEC). Despite the loss the team endured, not even 24 hours prior, the Lady Panthers held their heads high and stayed positive. Just that night before, “PSU W Ice Hockey” tweeted on popular media site: “Thank you to everyone who supported us tonight. Calm seas never make skilled sailors- tomorrow we rise and grind.” This statement could not have been more fitting for the Lady Panthers as they overcame adversity and beat NEC 1-0, leaving them 1-2 in the conference.
Freshman Shannon Hickey (Arlington, Mass.) was the only person to score through the game. Hickeys goal was at 17:24 in the second period when she lifted her shot over NEC goalie Lauren Hopps and into the back of the net. The goal was assisted by Marissa Zamrock.
The goaltending all around was very strong on both sides of the ice. Ali Ponte finished with 34 saves for the Panthers and earned her first career shutout. Hopps finished with 41 saves for the Lady Pilgrims.
The Panthers head to Manhattanville Friday, November 22 for their next ECAC conference game.