Mason's Late Goal Pushes Salem State Past Plymouth State

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.) scored with less than forty seconds remaining to lift Salem State to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Plymouth State in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey game at Kennedy Field at the New Hampton School on Tuesday night. The Vikings have now won five of their past seven games as Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass.), notched her second consecutive shutout with an eight save effort. The Vikings improve to 9-5 and 4-5 in the LEC while the Panthers slide to 6-7 and 4-5 in conference. 

Plymouth State controlled the possession throughout the first quarter, but the Panthers were unable to break through. The action evened out during the second quarter, as each team had a couple opportunities but neither goalie would give up ground as the game went into halftime scoreless. Salem's first chance came in the 32nd minute when Mason fired a close range shot, but keeper Jess Distler (Brookfield, N.H.) was up to the challenge.

PSU had a couple prime chances in the 41st minute when senior Kylie Ham (Wayland, Mass.) and sophomore Jess Mezquita (Atkinson, N.H.) both had shots from within ten yards that were turned away by sophomore Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass.).

Salem State had three penalty corners in the final minute of play and Mason was able to convert after a scrum in front of the net for the game-winner.

Distler made seven saves.

Plymouth State held a 16-9 advantage in shots and a 10-7 edge in penalty corners.