HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College field hockey team opened their 2022 season with a resounding 2-1 overtime victory against visiting Plymouth State University on Thursday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 2 | Plymouth State 1 (OT)
Records: Pilgrims 1-0 | Panthers 0-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Panthers struck first in the 27th minute of the game when Plymouth State junior forward Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) scored her first goal of the season to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
- Less than a minute later, the 'Grims would answer when senior midfielder Mikayla Vincent (Newburyport, Mass.) found the back of the net for the equalizer o an unassisted shot, her first goal of the year.
- The second half proved to be a defensive quagmire for both teams. NEC came up just short on several scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter as the game went into overtime.
- Finally, 1:15 into overtime, Vincent brought the ball up the right side and found senior defender Renee Bouchard (Swanton, VT) who blasted a shot past the outstretched leg of the keeper as the NEC bench exploded in celebration.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC transfer goalkeeper Jackie Mountford (New London, NH) recorded 15 saves in net in her first game with the Pilgrims, playing a near-shutout. Plymouth State junior goalkeeper Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) tallied 12 saves for the Panthers.
- The 'Grims held a 26-17 advantage in total shots and an 11-6 edge in penalty corners. NEC is 12-27-1 all-time against Plymouth State having won three straight in the series.
- Vincent led all players with ten shots on the evening.
UP NEXT
- NEC will be back on the field on Saturday when they host Rivier University in an 11:00 a.m. game.
- Plymouth State travels to Colby-Sawyer College for their next contest, that coming on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
