Posted: Sep 01, 2022
HENNIKER, N.H. – New England freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Bronowicki (Corona, Calif.) put on a thrilling 22 save performance in the first collegiate game of her career as the Pilgrims' women's soccer team fell short in their 2022 season opener to visiting Plymouth State on Thursday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action by a score of 3-1.
THE BASICS
Score: Plymouth State 3, New England College 1
Records: Pilgrims 0-1 | Panthers 1-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the first half, the Pilgrims held the Panthers to just one goal despite being outshot 26-2. Bronowicki tallied 13 saves during the opening stanza in a heroic display for the rookie.
- Plymouth State freshman forward Molly Bellmore (Hebron, Conn.) got the Panthers on the board with her first career goal as she recovered the ball off a save from Bronowicki and put it through in the 13th minute off a shot on goal by graduate student forward Kaliana Palhof (Loudon, N.H.). The 1-0 score would hold up going into halftime.
- Just 6:44 into the second half, the Pilgrims would score the equalizer as senior Reese Hultgren (Charlton, Mass.) took a beautiful corner kick from sophomore midfielder Silvana Scuria (Center Moriches, N.Y.) and found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, knotting it up at one goal apiece.
- Just over eight minutes later, however, the Panthers would score the go-ahead goal as Palhof took a pass from Bellmore and finished for her first goal of the season, putting Plymouth State ahead once again, now at 2-1.
- In the 66th minute, it would be Bellmore once again on the insurance goal as she came through on a solo breakaway and found the upper left-hand corner of the net for her second goal of the game and her career to increase the lead to 3-1.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Plymouth State freshman goalkeeper Sophie Holland (Barre, Mass.) finished with one save on the evening in her first collegiate win.
- For the game, the Panthers enjoyed a 42-4 edge in overall shots and a 25-2 advantage in shots-on-goal. New England College is now 1-7-2 all-time against Plymouth State.
- N.E.C. senior forward Mackenzie Fels (Centereach, N.Y.) led the Pilgrims with two shots on the evening.
- It was the first varsity contest in any sport for N.E.C. to open the 2022-2023 academic year.
UP NEXT
- NEC will face their second match of the season on Saturday when they play host to Thomas College in a 4:00 p.m. contest.
- Plymouth State will look to make it 2-0 on Saturday when they host University of Maine Farmington in a 12:00 p.m. matchup.