PSU field hockey blanks Bridgewater State

The Plymouth State Field Hockey team shutout Bridgewater State 1-0 on Sat., Nov. 1 in Bridgewater, Mass.  PSU finished the regular season with an 11-6 record and an 8-3 Little East Conference record. Bridgewater State fell to 7-10 on the season with a 5-6 LEC record.  The game marked PSU's sixth straight win which will be a great confidence booster heading into the playoffs for the Panthers.  

PSU junior Kerry D' Ambroise scored the only goal of the afternoon when she put one by Bridgewater State sophomore goalie Katie Weber with no time left in an exciting finish to a defensive game. D' Ambroise scored off a corner kick assisted by PSU senior midfielder Ashley Gutowski.  

PSU first-year student Elysa Sedgley notched her sixth shutout of the year and recorded 13 saves.  Bridgewater State goalie Katie Weber was stellar with seven saves on the day.  PSU head coach Bonnie Lord was particularly impressed with the way her team's defense played, "Our defensive unit of Elyse Sedgley, Melinda Rozumek, Cortney Colligan, Britt Treichel and Ashley Gutowski was amazing! The teamwork, the persistence at continually moving the ball up field and then locking the door behind them was the glue of this victory," said Lord, "Ashley Gutowski taking charge of the game ending penalty corner and refusing to be denied victory, the play and communication of Sarah Smith as she led the offense and the committed play of Lauren Bergeron at center mid - these were the keys to a victory."

This victory for PSU was particularly important because it assured them they would be the number two seed heading into the Little East Conference tournament. When asked what her team needs to do to be successful in the playoffs, Lord stated, "We have several strategies that have always been successful for us - we need to stick to the plan regardless of what the opponent is doing."

The #2 seeded Panthers will move on to play #7 seeded Worcester State College at Arnold Field on Tues., Nov. 4.  Worcester State is 11-8 on the season with a 6-5 LEC record. WSC is coming off a regular season finale loss to Eastern Connecticut in which they lost 2-0.  PSU pounded Worcester State on Oct. 25 by a score of 5-1 at Arnold Field. WSC has finished up their regular season in a bit of a slump, losing five of their last eight games.  WSC has a balanced attack and has outscored opponents this a year 32-27.  

This LEC tournament game should be an exciting match between two conference foes.  PSU will try to once again defeat WSC to move on in the LEC tournament.