PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Maddie Hunt scored six goals and Tarryn O'Brien tallied five points from two goals and assists to lead the fourth seed Plymouth State University Panthers to a 16-6 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in the first round of the 2024 Little East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament. The Panthers also had a hat trick by Megan Gaspa and three assists plus a goal from Amelia Thomas.
 
Sophomore Molly Black (Windham, Maine) and sixth-year senior Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) each scored twice for the Huskies. Senior Kiaya Gatchell (Portland, Maine/Deering) assisted on two goals while juniors Julia McKenna (Windham, Maine) and junior Anna Byers (Milford, Ct./ Joseph A. Foran) each had a goal and an assist.
 
The Records:
No. 5 Southern Maine: 7-9 (3-4 LEC)
No. 4 Plymouth State: 11-6 (5-2 LEC)
 
Series History:
The Huskies and Panthers have now played 36 times with the Panthers leading 32-3. The Panthers are now 2-0 against the Huskies this season.
 
The Goaltenders:
Southern Maine: Cece Racine (5-8), 60:00, 16 goals allowed, 13 saves
Plymouth State: Margie Black (11-6), 60:00, six goals allowed, two saves
 
How It Happened:

• The Panthers led 3-1 after the first quarter. Hunt scored the first goal for the Panthers less than two minutes in with Thomas picking up the assist. Shanks then scored to tie the game with a woman-up goal off a feed by Gatchell before Plymouth State scored twice in 15 seconds to take a 3-1 lead. Donovan scored the first on a free-position shot following a Huskies' yellow card and Gaspa added the second goal with an assist by Tarryn O'Brien.
• Plymouth State started the second quarter on a 3-0 run before allowing a pair of goals in the final three minutes to the Huskies. Black scored thanks to another assist by Gatchell and McKenna scored with four seconds left in the half. O'Brien scored twice in the quarter for the Panthers.
• Entering the second half ahead 7-3, the Panthers pulled away by outscoring the Huskies 5-1 in the third quarter. Gaspa scored two of the goals and Jenna Stowell, Hunt and Donovan also scored. O'Brien had two assists. Byers scored the lone goal for the Huskies with an assist credited to McKenna.
• Hunter scored three more goals in the fourth quarter and Thomas also scored for the Panthers. Shanks and Black had goals for the Huskies.

 
Inside The Stats:

• The Panthers outshot the Huskies 43-14 and had a 29-8 lead in shots on goal.
• Ground balls were 16-11 in favor of Plymouth State. Gaspa led the Panthers with five followed by Thomas with four.
• Gaspa also caused four turnovers and helped her team to a 11-3 lead in the statistic.

 
Up Next:
Tonight's loss concludes the season for the Huskies.