By: Christopher J. Kilmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletics Communications

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman Karina Bosco (North Dighton, Mass.) scored a career-high six goals as fourth-seeded Plymouth State University pulled away from fifth-seeded University of Massachusetts Boston in the second half to earn a 15-10 win in the first round of the Little East Conference (LEC) Women's Lacrosse Tournament at Panther Field on Tuesday night.
 
Plymouth State improves to 8-9 and advances to Thursday's (Apr. 30) semifinal round at top-seeded Western Connecticut State University. UMass Boston ends the year at 6-12.
 
The first half went back-and-forth, with neither team leading by more than two goals. Bosco scored her third goal of the game in the opening minute of the third quarter to snap a 6-6 tie, and the Panthers stayed in front the rest of the way.
 
UMass Boston cut the deficit to one on two separate occasions, but freshman Evelyn Goudreau (Topsham, Maine) scored a woman-down goal late in the third quarter, and Bosco followed just 21 seconds later to give PSU a 12-9 cushion heading into the fourth. The Panthers pulled away with three straight goals in the final stanza to seal the win.
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 15, UMass Boston 10
  • Plymouth State (8-9)
  • UMass Boston (6-12)

How it Happened:

• The Beacons came out strong, scoring in the opening 21 seconds and building a 3-1 lead over the first five minutes.
• Goudreau cut the deficit to 3-2 after the first quarter, then scored early in the second to tie the game.
• The teams traded goals throughout the rest of the frame, with Bosco's second of the night making it 6-6 at the half.
• Bosco and senior Morgan Cunningham (Wrentham, Mass.) scored consecutive goals to start the third to give PSU a lead it would not relinquish.
• UMB pulled within one, 8-7, but junior Sammy Murphy (Harrisville, R.I.) and Bosco responded midway through the third.
• The Beacons went back-to-back to again get within one, 10-9, with five minutes left in the frame, but Goudreau converted while down a player, and Bosco followed to make it 12-9 entering the fourth.
• Cunningham, Bosco, and Goudreau each scored early in the fourth quarter to extend the margin, before UMB capped the scoring with seven minutes to play.

By the Numbers:

• Bosco finished with a career-high six goals and added an assist, five ground balls, and three caused turnovers.
• Junior Claire Joyce (Braintree, Mass.) and Cunningham finished with five points apiece. Cunningham also grabbed five ground balls.
• Goudreau scored four goals and added two caused turnovers.
• Senior Katie Moore (Salem, N.H.) was strong defensively, matching a game-high with six ground balls and adding three caused turnovers.
• Sophomore Gracie Menicci (Pepperell, Mass.) snared seven draw controls, while freshman Olivia Thibert (Dighton, Mass.) added six.
• Plymouth State owned a 28-13 advantage in shots, including 16-5 in the second half.
• PSU went 15-for-19 on clears, while limiting the Beacons to 11-for-21.
• The Panthers won the ground ball battle, 30-18, and took 10 of 14 draws in the second half.
• Plymouth State advances to the semifinal round for the 14th straight year.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State visits top-seeded WestConn on Thursday (Apr. 30) for a semifinal matchup at 3:30 p.m. The teams met in last year's championship game.