Women's Lacrosse Continues to Roll as Wounded Warrior Project Game is Tomorrow

The train that is the Plymouth State Women's Lacrosse team continues to roll after a 17-9 victory over Castleton State College on Thursday, March 29^th and a 16-5 victory over Bridgewater State University on Tuesday, April 3^rd. These two wins put the Panther's record to 6-1, in which Plymouth has won their last six games.

"What a statement!" exclaimed Head Coach Kristin Blanchette to her team upon the win over Bridgewater. The Panthers, who last season lost to the Bears 13-3, came out on fire, as the score was 5-0 only 7:17 into the game behind goals from junior Caitlin Swanson (Holderness, N.H.), and first year players Amy MacDonald (Hull, Mass.) and Shannon Connerty (Nashua, N.H.). The second goal of the game (in which Macdonald scored) came off of one of Molly Gleason's (Haverhill, Mass.) ten draw control/face-off wins.

Despite Bridgewater collecting the next goal to put the score at 5-1 8:29 into the game, Swanson and Macdonald added another goal apiece, while Meghan McNabb (Lexington, Mass.) continued her stellar season by adding two more goals to put the score at 9-1. By the time halftime came around, the Panthers held a 12-3 lead.

The second half of the contest was powered by the Panthers' defense, as they limited Bridgewater to only three shots. Playing strong defense for the Panthers throughout the game includes Kristen Guest (Sandwich, Mass.), Nora Regan (West Hartford, Conn.), Carly Floyd (Madison, Conn.) and Allison Gonyea (Auburn, N.H.). These four combined for 11 ground balls (with Guest having a game-high six ground balls), while goalie Lorin Field (Hollis, N.H.) was intercepting passes right and left from the Bears.

Plymouth is greatly improved from last season's team, and this game shows how much the Panthers have progressed over the past 12 months. To go from losing 13-3 last season, to winning 16-5 this season shows how well this team can perform. A big part of this is in Coach Blanchette, but she of course takes no credit for it. "I have a great group of players around me, and I am thrilled to see the results so far this season!"

The Panthers look to continue the success that they have had so far season and will look to do so against their first Little East Conference opponent this season in UMass Dartmouth, tomorrow at 4:00 P.M. This game will be played at Southern New Hampshire University, as the schedule for all spring sports teams doesn't allow any of Plymouth's teams to have a home game until this week (due to the fact that there could be snow on the fields now, but obviously not this year).

Tomorrow's game for the Panthers will be especially special for them, as they have been raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The Panthers know many different people (both friends and family) that are a part of the military, and one of the Panthers' coaches (Morgan Lemmon) is a part of the Army.

The Panthers would greatly appreciate it if you can come down to Southern New Hampshire University at 4:00 P.M. to support the Panthers, as they look to kick off their Little East Conference schedule in style.

Tidbits and Recognition

-Congratulations to Meghan McNabb and Amy MacDonald, as McNabb (who is tied for 4th in all of Division-III Women's Lacrosse in points per game) was named Offensive Player of the week, while MacDonald was recognized as Rookie of the week.

-Going in to the game against Bridgewater, Lorin Field had the 8th best save percentage in all of Division III Women's Lacrosse, while Kristen Guest was tied for 4th in caused turnovers.

-I find it ironic that Caitlin Swanson had such a good game (four goals and an assist) against Bridgewater, as the home-field for Bridgewater is called Swenson Field (might have to be called Swanson Field now).

Editor's note- If the Panthers can build their winning streak up to ten games (which would include beating UMass Dartmouth, Framingham State, Eastern Connecticut and Keene State), I will color my hair white and green for a week to show my support for the Panthers!