PSU Sports Wrap-Up

Both Cross Country teams had solid performances at the Keene State College Invitational, as the Men’s team captured 8^th place, and the Women’s team finished in 9^th place, respectively. For the Women’s team, freshman Sarah Uhlman (Ashland, N.H.) and Rileigh Goulette (St. Albans, VT) were the top finishers for PSU, as they ran the 5K race in 22:10 and 23:49. On the Men’s side, senior David Martino (Laconia, N.H.) finished a Plymouth State high 22^nd out of the 126 runners in the men’s race, as he ran the five mile course in 28:34 (or approximately averaging a 5:43 mile for the duration of the event). This invitational, which took place last weekend, on October 4^th, was the first cross country event that the team had in two weeks. Looking ahead to this weekend, the team will travel down to Westfield, Massachusetts, as they will compete in the Westfield State Invitational on October 11^th. Watch for Martino and Uhlman to lead the charge for the Panthers, as they have been doing throughout the 2014 season.

The Tennis team has been on a roll for the 2014 season, and shows no signs of slowing down upon defeating Salem State on Monday (10/6) afternoon. This brought the Panthers’ record to 5-0 in Little East Conference play, while keeping their undefeated streak going at 9-0. Against Salem, PSU was able to win 7-2, as Zara and Sunny Jakubas (Califon, N.J.) were able to win their singles matches and doubles matches, with neither of them dropping a match. Nitsa Ioannides (El Cajon, CA) also had an impressive showing against Salem, as she won her singles matches in straight sets, 6-0 6-0, and won in her doubles match with Nikki Lund (Hingham, MA), 8-1. Senior captain Rosalie DiRado (Gansevoort, N.Y.) improved tough match-up this weekend, as they will be facing Rhode Island College on Saturday (10/11) afternoon. Like PSU, RiC is 9-0 overall this season, while posting a 4-0 record in the LEC. Both teams have four common opponents they have played this season, in the University of Southern Maine, Western Connecticut State University, UMass Dartmouth, and UMass Boston. Both RiC and PS defeated all four of these teams 9-0. Needless to say, the match on Saturday afternoon should be quite a battle over at the Holderness School at 1:00 P.M.!

Despite six kills from sophomore Brianna Wojtas (Salem, N.H.), the volleyball team fell three sets to none against Keene State on Tuesday (10/7) night. The loss brings the team’s overall record to 7-11, and drops their Little East Conference record to 1-2. PSU attempted to rally from losing their first set by capturing the second set, and were almost successful doing so, but ultimately weren’t able to do so. The Panthers were able to get the score to 15-15 in the second set after Kristen Perrotta (Hudson, N.H.) was set up by Hannah Hyatt (Andover, CT) for the tying point. This would be the last time that PSU was able to tie it up in this set, as Keene slowly pulled away for a 25-21 second set victory. Like the first set, Keene was able to keep Plymouth at bay, and was ultimately able to capture the third set for the win. Despite losing their past three matches, PSU will be traveling down to New Jersey to participate in the Kean Tournament. By facing four schools that are out of conference, this team might try to make some small adjustments in their line-up so that they can start to get on a roll with the Little East Conference tournament only a few weeks away.

Down 3-0, with about 20 minutes left in the game, the PSU field hockey team had a furious comeback to defeat the University of Southern Maine 4-3, in overtime. This brings the team’s overall record to 7-2, and 5-1 in the Little East Conference.  Kristen Morris (Stoughton, MA) kicked off the scoring for the Panthers, as Nikki Garvey (Canaan, N.H.) set up the senior Morris with the pass. The Panthers were only getting started, as Sam Carberry (Shrewsbury, PA) scored about two minutes later in the game to put Plymouth down by only a goal. USM had the next three shots, but freshman goalie Alivia Bates (Pennsauken, N.J.) stopped all three shots to keep the game a one-goal deficit. With 5:32 left in the game, Garvey was awarded a penalty stroke opportunity, and was able to tie the game up at three. Neither team was able to generate a shot the last few moments of regulation. With momentum on their side, it was only a matter of time for the Panthers. Garvey was able to find the back of the net only 52 seconds into the overtime period to seal the deal for the visiting Panthers. The win was the first overtime game for Plymouth, so they now know that there team has the ability to deal with a tense situation. The next game for the Panthers will take place when they travel down to Massachusetts to face Fitchburg State on Saturday (10/11) afternoon.

The Women’s Soccer team lost a tough one to Colby-Sawyer down in New Hampton on Wednesday (10/8) night, 1-0. For the visitors, they were able to find the back early in the game, as they scored off of a corner kick at the 3:37 mark in the 1^st half. Sophomore goal-keeper Annaliese Schmidt (Newmarket, N.H.) had two early saves prior to the goal, so it was necessary for the Panthers to get some offensive pressure on Colby-Sawyer. PSU was able to generate five shots on net for the game, including two by senior captain Emily Bell (Derry, N.H.). Despite the pressure that Plymouth was able to come up with, they ultimately came up short in the 90 minutes of play. Luckily for the Panthers, this was a non-conference game for them, so it won’t affect them whatsoever in the Little East Conference standings. Heading into their next game against Rhode Island College on Saturday (10/11) afternoon, PSU will look to improve on their current 3-7 (1-2 conference) record.