PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Women’s Field Hockey team has been off to a hot start this semester, opening with a 5-2 record through their first 7 games.
Even more spectacular is their undefeated play within the conference.
“We are 2-0 and in a three-way tie for 1st in the LEC,” Head Coach Bonnie Lord said prior to beating conference opponent Westfield State on Saturday and improving to 3-0 in the LEC.
Coach Lord credits the success to the team’s hard work prior to the season kicking off.
“We had a hard-working preseason and were thankful to have the majority of our practices at Holderness on their turf field,” Lord said. “This was great preparation for us as 5 of our first 6 games were on turf. Our scrimmage at MIT and then our first trip to the Dottie Zenaty Tournament over Labor Day weekend really allowed us to see where our strengths are and where our improvements needed to be.”
As for the teams strengths, Lord happily obliged to speak of teams backstop whose shined between the pipes so far this season.
“Every year there is something or someone that stands out!” Lord said, having been coaching for 33 years – 13 seasons with PSU.
“This year it is always such a pleasure to watch Captain Hilary Lemelin in goal. Already this season she has been impressive with the “impossible” diving or leaping save!
On Wed., Sept. 26, PSU squared off against LEC opponent Keene State. The Panthers’ loss to Keene has set both teams at an even 3-1 in conference play, but another storyline certainly lingered over the pitch on Wednesday.
“We lost to Keene in the LEC Championship Game last year and both programs have lost veterans and brought in rookies,” Lord said.
But last year was last year.
“Nothing helps from a year ago – new year, new teams,” Lord said. “It is our focus to play our game. Once you start to worry about what the other team is going to do, or not do, you stray away from what you do.”
The rematch against Keene took place on the Panthers’ home field on Wed., Sept. 26. The ladies saw an aggressive first half, with Lauren Carroll scoring in the first few minutes and setting the pace for the game.
Keene retaliated quickly, scoring twice in the first half, first by Kalin Billert, and followed by Alex Billert. Olivia Colborn would strike on Plymouth’s behalf thirty minutes into the first, tying up the game with a score of 2-2 at the end of the first half.
Lady Panther Nikki Garvey put one more goal on the board for Plymouth early in the second half and bringing the score to 3-2 in PSU favor. However, the Panther’s lead was quickly snatched back by Hayley Dolan of Keene, scoring twice in a row to bring the Owls ahead. Katlyn Simula would score the last goal of Wed.’s game, securing a 5-3 victory for Keene.
Though the loss was a bitter one on Wed., the Lady Panthers still maintain an impressive record overall for the season, with five wins to only three losses. The final game of the month will take place at home once more against Eastern Connecticut on Sat., Sept. 29 at 12:00 p.m.