PLYMOUTH, N.H. — Junior Hailey Tarbox scored in the second half as the Husson University women's soccer team pushed to overcome a two-goal deficit before falling 2-1 to Plymouth State University in non-conference action Saturday at Arold Field.
Husson (4-4-2) generated several early opportunities, with senior Rylee Speed forcing Panthers goalkeeper Liv Desruisseaux into saves in the fourth and 10th minutes. Sophomore Gabriella Smith then stopped an attempt from Piper Sullivan before sophomore Thea Gerfen put two shots on target over the next three minutes.
Plymouth State (9-4) opened the scoring at 19:21 when Bella Coporale finished off an assist from Islah Godo to give the Panthers a 1-0 advantage.
Smith kept the deficit at one with saves on Drea Oswell and Godo later in the half, while the Eagles' defense also turned away an Oswell attempt in the 26th minute.
Tarbox tested Desruisseaux in the 32nd minute as Husson searched for an equalizer. The Eagles continued to apply pressure, earning five corner kicks over the final 14 minutes of the half, but entered the break trailing 1-0 despite holding a 9-6 advantage in shots.
Senior Olivia Charles put two attempts on target in the opening three minutes of the second half, but Desruisseaux stopped both. Smith answered with saves on Emily Olsen and Maggie MacDonald before Plymouth State extended its lead at 56:39, as Clara Wilson scored off Godo's second assist of the afternoon.
Sophomore Jaquie Pangburn forced another save in the 60th minute before senior Emma Nicholson sent an attempt high in the 63rd minute. Smith then denied Oswell in the 64th minute to keep Husson within two.
The Eagles broke through at 68:28 when Tarbox scored her third goal of the season off an assist from freshman Sydney Moon, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Smith stopped another Oswell attempt just 14 seconds later to preserve the one-goal margin. Pangburn tested Desruisseaux again in the 73rd minute, and Husson earned another corner kick in the 74th minute, but the Panthers held on for the victory.
Tarbox, Speed, Gerfen, Charles and Pangburn each recorded two shots, putting all 10 of those attempts on target. Smith finished with seven saves over 90 minutes, while Husson also received a team save in the first half.
The Eagles finished with a 15-12 advantage in shots and a 10-7 edge in corner kicks. Both teams recorded 10 shots on goal.
Husson will return to North Atlantic Conference play Sunday when it faces Vermont State University Johnson for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
