Box Score NEW HAMPTON, N.H. – Coming off of a convincing loss four days ago and playing a mid-week road game 200 miles from campus Wednesday night, the Eastern Connecticut State University field hockey team did everything it could do – except win – in a 2-1 loss to Plymouth State University in the Little East Conference opener for both teams at the New Hampton School.
Although it has rarely outplayed Plymouth (2-1, 1-0 LEC) in losing 21 of 22 meetings with the Panthers since 1998, Eastern (0-2, 0-1 LEC) did just that Wednesday, outshooting the Panthers 20-8 and collecting an 11-4 advantage in penalty corners.
Ranked third in the LEC pre-season coaches poll, Plymouth was held off the scoreboard over the final 49 minutes, but its two goals eight minutes apart in the first half stood up.
Eastern senior forward Alex Kallgren (Dudley, MA) extended her program record to 31 career goals by striking for her second of the year with nine minutes left to cut the deficit in half.
Eastern freshman forward Julia Koonjy (Jefferson, NJ) came off the bench to assist on Kallgren's goal for her first career point.
Kate McPherson gave Plymouth a 1-0 lead by scoring her second goal of the season in the 13th minute on a penalty stroke, and Lily Davis' third strike of the year eight minutes later gave the hosts a 2-0 lead.
Eastern senior Maddie LaRusso (Enfield) made four saves, while Plymouth senior Alivia Bates gained the win by making ten saves.
Eastern visits UMass Dartmouth in a conference match Saturday at 1 p.m.
