Panthers Edge Vikings 2-1

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Julia Paulino (Peabody, Mass. ) scored her second goal of the season just over two minutes into the game, but two goals by Plymouth State helped the Panthers edge the Vikings 2-1 in a Little East Conference (LEC) field hockey match at Panther Field on Tuesday night. Plymouth State moves to 7-4 and 5-3 in conference. The Vikings slip to 6-6 and 4-4 in the league.

Trailing, 1-0 in the second, the Panthers' Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H.) set up the equalizer as her shot was deflected by the Vikings' goalkeeper, but the rebound went right to Mezquita, who buried it into the back of the cage to tie the game at one.

The contest remained deadlocked until the 39th minute when Holly Temple (Topsham, Maine) converted a penalty stroke for the go-ahead goal. The Vikings pressured Plymouth State's defense in the fourth quarter, outshooting the Panthers 4-1 while earning five corners. However, keeper Kayla Antonucci (Windham, N.H.) kept Salem State off the scoreboard, securing the one-goal win.

Antonucci made seven saves in the win, while her counterpart Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass.) stopped 16 shots in an impressive outing.