GORHAM, Maine – Taylor Healey scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal, to lead the Plymouth State University Panthers to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference field hockey game Tuesday night at Hannaford Field.
 
The Panthers trailed the Huskies 3-1 at the halftime break and scored three unanswered goals in the second half to earn the critical conference win. 
 
The Records:
Plymouth State (7-6, 2-1 Little East)
Southern Maine (5-12, 1-3 Little East)
 
Today's game marked the 59^th meeting between the University of Southern Maine Huskies and the Plymouth State University Panthers. Plymouth State leads the overall series 36-20-3. Southern Maine had won the last five consecutively, including a 4-3 overtime thriller in 2022, and a 3-2 overtime game in 2023. Both the 2022 and 2023 games were played at Plymouth State.
 
The Goalkeepers:
PSU, Kayla Antonucci (2-5), 60:00, 3 GA, 8 Saves
SM, Eleanor Folsom (4-12), 60:00, 4 GA,  7 Saves
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Huskies took an early lead in the game when sophomore Norie Tibbetts (Skowhegan, Maine) scored her team-leading 11^th goal of the season at the 14^th minute.
• Healey scored the first of her three goals in the game in the 19^th minute to bring the Panthers even in the second quarter, but USM responded quickly in the 20^th minute as senior Abigail Chartier (Lewiston, Maine) scored her second goal of the season. 
• USM took a 3-1 lead I the 27^th minute when senior Sage Drinkwater (Steep Falls, Maine/Bonny Eagle) redirected in a pass from senior Emma Samson (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) for her ninth goal of the season.  The Huskies retained the 3-1 lead at the break.
• Plymouth State started its comeback in the third quarter as Healey scored in the 37^th minute, converting a penalty stroke. Jenna Stowell followed with the equalizer in short-order completing the assist from Ellie Monahan.
• Healey scored the game winning goal, stripping the ball in the back and going one-on-one with the Huskies' keeper.  Touching the ball past USM's goalie to the left, Healey calmly finished with the hat trick in the 49^th minute. 

 
 
Inside The Statistics:

• Southern Maine narrowly led in shots 13-12, but Plymouth State had an 8-4 advantage in penalty corners.   

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine hosts VTSU-Castleton on Saturday, October 26 (3:00 pm) in its final regular season home game.  The Huskies close out the regular season on Saturday, November 2 (11:00 am) at Western Connecticut State University. The 2024 Little East Conference tournament begins on Tuesday, November 5.
 
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