COURTESY PHOTO OF PSU ATHLETICS
The women’s ice hockey team has yet to find themselves on the board this season after opening last Friday. In a match-up against Franklin Pierce University, the Panthers couldn’t get it in the net and ended with a loss, 2-0.
With back to back home opening games, their next opponent this last Saturday was Saint Anselm College. Goalie Emelie Lindquist (Gullerasen Sweden) made just about 30 saves but the four that snuck by gave Plymouth their second loss. “I need to be able to support my team in the best ways. The team’s performance is one of the best ones I have seen since my freshman year against these two teams. We showed the other teams that we are here to give them a fight and are not give up. We still have things to work on, but I think we have come off with a good start, even if the scoreboard is saying something else” Lindquist had to say about her team’s performance.
Things were going smoothly in the first period, both teams showing dominant defense and going scoreless. Over a third of Saint Anselm’s shots were fired at Lindquist that period, but she still remained strong to keep her team in the game. Within the first five minutes of the second period, Saint Anselm broke the silence and delivered the puck to the back of the net to take lead in the game. Set up in a power play five minutes later, they chalked another goal on the board. With three minutes left in this period, their damage wasn’t done yet as they popped one more goal in before the end of the period.
The scoring frenzy ended within a minute into the last period, making the game 4-0. Plymouth gave off shots here and there, trying to get on the board but they were either saved our bounced off the goal, missing it by inches. “It's early in the season but what things does the team need to focus on? The team needs to focus on creating more scoring opportunities and keep the speed up,” Lindquist said after reflecting on the last two games. Plymouth has one of their highest rankings from the last few years in the pre-season poll. Lindquist hopes to top UMass Boston and Norwich, as they are ranked above them and are strong competitors.
Plymouth will open their New England Hockey Conference up tonight as they are on the road for the first time. This matchup and the University of Massachusetts Boston will start for 4 p.m.