The Huskies took the field for their season opener in what spectators would describe as a winter wonderland to face the Maine Maritime Academy Mariners. The Mariners and Huskies remained neck and neck for the majority of the match before a 12-goal second half propelled the Mariners to a win. This is only the second loss for the Huskies in their 19 game history, the first being at their first ever match in 2001.
The Mariners doubled USM’s shots with a total of 69 to USM’s 34, with the biggest disparity coming in the fourth quarter when MMA recorded 20 shots to USM’s 3. The Huskies had more saves (19) and turnovers (27), while the Mariners remained triumphant in ground balls (41) and face offs (20).
First year Mariner Jacob Hintermaier was the leading scorer for the team, netting five off of six shots on goals. Hintermaier was able to break the first tie with a clutch goal in the second quarter to make the score 4-3 Mariners. The freshman would be integral to another tie breaker later in the second quarter, with an assist to teammate Trey Marcil, lifting the Mariners up by one before responding with another goal of his own and making the score 6-4. The half ended with the Mariners up 7-5. =
The Huskies quickly caught up to the Mariners in the third quarter with three quick goals coming from the sticks of sophomores Tucker Nussinow and Aman Zusner, who scored back-to-back goals. Despite this, the Huskies still found themselves down 13-8 by the end of the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Mariners sealed their fate, scoring six goals to the Huskies’ one. Sophomore Andrew James scored the lone goal and his second of the game. Mariners Hintermaier and Marcil both netted two apiece to widen the gap to a final score of 19-9.
While Hintermaier was the leading scorer with five goals, the Mariners had plenty of players pulling their weight. Sophomore Sam Nichol (4), freshman Marcil (3), fifth year Jayden Wilson (2), and senior Jacob Belanger (2) all helped ensure their team’s win.
Three Huskies earned multiple goals: sophomores James and Zusner and senior Schuyler Wetmore. Single-game point record holder senior Nick James earned three points due to a single goal and two assists.