Late Game Murphy Magic Downs Panthers, 3-2

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Kaleigh Murphy (Pembroke, Mass./ Pembroke) scored the game winning goal with a minute and thirty seconds remaining in regulation to break a 2-2 tie and secure the Owls win over the Plymouth State Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Alumni Field.

Westfield State gets back to even (6-6, 3-3 LEC) with the victory while the Panthers slip to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Little East Conference.

Madison Ouellette (Uxbridge, Mass./ Uxbridge), who scored the Owls' second goal, assisted Murphy in the dramatic finish. Ouellette won a 50/50 ball around midfield and streaked down the left side before connecting with Murphy who was stationed in front of the crease.

Westfield was outshot 21-7 and Plymouth held an 8-0 advantage in penalty corners, but the Owls made the most of their chances connecting on 3 of their 5 shots on goal.

Plymouth opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game on an Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass./ Wachusett Regional) goal assisted by Taylor Healey (Campton, N.H./ New Hampton School). Westfield State's Taylor Creech (Kennebunk, Maine/ Kennebunk) responded a minute later to even the score, she was assisted by Kyla Harthcock (Martha's Vineyard, Mass./ Martha's Vineyard).

Westfield State took a 2-1 lead into halftime by way of an Ouellette goal set up by Sarah Richard (Templeton, Mass./ Oackmont).

Plymouth State's Comeau tallied her second goal of the match, this one from Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass./ Saugus) to pull the Panthers back to even, 2-2, at the beginning of the third quarter. The Panther's controlled play in the second half holding the Owls to only one shot, the game-winner from Murphy.

Westfield State first- year, Emma Gniadek (Worcester, Mass./ Doherty Memorial), got her first collegiate start and made 14 saves in the win.

Both teams stay in conference for their next contests on Tuesday, Oct. 11, Plymouth State heads to Salem for a 6:00 p.m. start and Westfield hosts UMass Dartmouth at 7:00 p.m.