Providence, R.I.--Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon O'Connell (Narragansett, R.I.) recorded 14 saves and eight ground balls as the Rhode Island College women's lacrosse team fell to Plymouth State, 17-3, in the Little East Conference season opener for both clubs played at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Plymouth State 17, Rhode Island College 3
Plymouth State (1-0. 1-0 LEC)
Rhode Island College (1-1, 0-1 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Plymouth State offense got on a roll early as they scored six goals in the opening eight minutes of action.
 
• RIC was finally able to get their first goal of the day when junior midfielder Oliva Carpenito (Wilmington, Mass.) found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season.
 
• PSU responded with three more goals prior to the half to take an 11-1 lead into the halftime break.
 
• The Panther offense picked right up where they left off in the second stanza, increasing their lead to 14, 15-1, before the Anchorwomen were able to score another goal.
 
• Freshman attacker Maddie Kross (Peachtree City, Ga) netted an unassisted goal for the second RIC marker of the game and sophomore midfielder Alyssa Silvestre (Warwick, R.I.) found the back of the net for the third RIC goal, which was set up by an assist from senior attack Alexia Peloquin (Cranston, R.I.).
 
• PSU was led by graduate midfielder Sydney Dubois (Goffstown, N.H.)  with five goals and one assist for six points, to go along with six draw controls and one ground ball.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• PSU outshot RIC, 37-11 and recorded eight more ground balls, 33-25.
 
• The visitors held a slight draw control advantage, 12-8.
 
• PSU sophomore attacker Emily Santom (Litchfield, N.H.) had three goals and three assists for six points to go along with three ground balls.
 
• Sophomore attacker Olivia Croke (Norwell, Mass.) and senior midfielder Elizabeth McLaughlin (Melvin Village, N.H.) each netted three goals for the Panthers.
 
• Senior goalkeeper Meghan Allard (Amherst, N.H.) made seven saves to earn the win (1-0).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play at home vs. Keene State on Saturday, April 3 (1 p.m.).