(With contributions from Plymouth State Sports Information)

Southern Maine Falls at Plymouth State 10-7

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- In a battle of unbeaten Little East Conference women's lacrosse teams, the University of Southern Maine fell to Plymouth State University 10-7 Wednesday evening at Kennedy Field at the New Hampton School.

            Winners in their last two games, the Panthers improved to 6-5 overall and take over sole possession of first place in the conference with a 4-0 mark.  The Huskies had their three-game winning streak stopped by the loss.  The Huskies slip to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in conference action.

            Senior Aliza Jordan (Gorham, Maine) led the Huskies with two goals and two assists.  Junior Allison Irish (Lyman, Maine/Massabesic) added two goals.  Senior goalkeeper Hala Van Nostrand (Granby, Conn.) made 13 saves.

            Junior Sam Fiore (Merrimac, Mass./Pentucket Regional) had three goals to lead the Panthers' offense.  Classmate Sydney Dubois (Goffstown, N.H.) added two goals and two assists, and seniors Kimberly Zuccaro (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex Regional) and Veronyca Daniels (Concord, N.H.) each had two goals and one assist.  Sophomore Meaghan Allard (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) made five saves.

            After surrendering the game's first goal to USM junior Megan Violette (Portland, Maine/Deering), the Panthers scored the game's next five goals to take a 5-1 lead less than nine minutes into the game.

            The Huskies regrouped to mount a comeback over the final 20 minutes holding the Panthers scoreless while trimming three goals off the deficit on goals from Jordan, Irish and freshman Evelyn Hinkley (West Gardiner, Maine/Gardiner Area).

            A goal from Dubois gave the Panthers a two-goal edge (6-4) with 25:38 to play.  The Huskies responded with goals from Jordan and rookie Lindsey Keenan (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) tied the game midway through the second stanza.

            Zuccaro's goal with 9:16 to play snapped the 6-6 tie, and goals from Daniels and Dubois 21 seconds apart pushed the lead to 9-6.  A marker from senior Sarah Thompson (Hookset, N.H./Manchester Central) made it 10-6 before Irish netted the game's final goal.

            The home side had a huge 37-19 advantage in shots, and a 29-23 edge in ground balls.

            Southern Maine is back in action on Saturday (12 p.m.) hosting Western Connecticut State University.  Plymouth State hosts Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday (11 a.m.).

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