PLYMOUTH, N.H.  –  Sophomore Kate McPherson (Conway, N.H./Kennett) scored late in the first half and the Plymouth State University Panthers were able to make the goal stand en route to a 1-0 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference field hockey game Wednesday night at the New Hampton School Field. 

With the win, Plymouth State improves to 5-1 in the Little East and 7-2 overall.  Southern Maine falls to 3-6 overall and 2-3 in conference action. 

McPherson scored her second goal off the season off of a penalty corner receiving an assist from senior Katie Martin (Waterbury Center, Vt./Harwood Union).  McPherson was able to beat USM starting goalkeeper freshman McKenzie Cormier (Hiram, Maine/Sacopee Valley) to the left side of the cage for the game-winner. 

Plymouth State outshot the Huskies 11-4 in the game and had a 7-4 advantage in penalty corners.  USM had its best chances of the game late in the second half, but were unable to net the equalizer, recording three of its four shots in the final stanza.

PSU goalkeeper senior Alivia Bates (Pennsauken, N.J.) earned the shutout making one save in 70:00 of action.  Cormier took the loss playing 56;08, making one save and allowing one goal.  Freshman Anna Huff (Norway, Maine/Oxford Hills) closed out the final 13:52 and did not make a save.

Southern Maine remains in LEC play and will host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday (12:00 p.m.).  Plymouth State travels to Western Connecticut on Saturday (11:00 a.m.) for an LEC game.

–cac–