DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Plymouth State University senior Devon Mello netted a season-high five goals to power the Panthers to a 19-1 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this afternoon on Cressy Field. It was the Little East Conference women's lacrosse opener for both clubs.
Plymouth State (6-3) junior Olivia Croke led the high-powered Panthers offense with six points, on a marker and season-best five helpers. Classmate Emily Santom registered four goals, while freshman Julia Donovan tallied a hat trick and assist for four points. Junior Amelia Thomas and classmate Julia Mahoney each captured five draw controls, while Donovan scooped up a team-best three ground balls.
UMass Dartmouth (1-6) sophomore
Claire Petersen was responsible for the Corsairs' lone tally, extending her personal goal streak to three matches. Sophomore Melanny Sanchez-Alvarez controlled three draws and picked up three ground balls for the hosts.
The visitors opened the scoring 50 seconds into the match, when Mello fired home an unassisted tally. Santom and Donovan traded markers before Mello completed her hat trick to cap the Panthers 7-0 surge. UMass Dartmouth was temporarily able to solve the Panther's ride to create a scoring opportunity and cut the lead to 7-1. Plymouth State added two additional markers in the final 84 seconds of the period to take a 9-1 advantage into the second quarter.
The Panthers scored all five goals of the second stanza to balloon their advantage to 14-1 at the intermission and never looked back.
Sophomore Piper Sherbert earned the victory in the net for the Panthers, making one stop in 45 minutes of action. Classmate Amanda Auditore played the final 15 minutes.
Junior
Payton Conceicao reached double digits in saves for the seventh consecutive contest, turning aside 14 attempts in 60 minutes of regulation for the Corsairs.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 5pm on Tuesday, April 5 when the Corsairs travel to Salem State University for a non-conference tilt.
