The University of New England poured in 13 tallies as the Nor’easters defeated USM in the Huskies home opener 13-10 at Memorial Field on the grounds of Deering High School on Friday night.
In What panned out to be a back and forth contest, UNE took advantage of scoring opportunities and used a five-goal effort from stand-out freshman Tyler Thomas to hand USM their second straight loss. With the win UNE improves their record to 2-2.
The Huskies got on the board early with three goals on three attempts at the net, all in the first five minutes of the game. UNE settled down shortly after and, on a set play, answered with their first goal of the game. They seemed to get more comfortable as the game went on and were able to take two more, nearing the end of the first quarter, to tie the game at three apiece. Both teams got a little more aggressive towards the end of the first and the physical play ended up in favor of UNE who scored three more goals from nearly point blank range. The second goal barely escaped the outstretched arms of sophomore goalie Kyle Dussault (Lewiston).
USM junior Tim Bryant (Peterborough, N.H.) got the scoring started thirty seconds into the second for USM, finishing on a break from midfield that was set up perfectly.
UNE held their lead with force until Kyle Baker (Kennebunk) fought to score on an unassisted goal to bring USM within one. The Nor’easters answered with an unassisted goal of their own just one minute later to stop the Huskies’ momentum right when it seemed to be getting started.
The Huskies kept it close, but a 4-1 run by UNE in the third quarter was what put them over the top.
“We started off strong in the first half with those three early goals but we let up and they capitalized on our mistakes. Penalties on our part led to goals for them.” USM junior midfielder Derek Guimond (Portland) said.
After taking a 12-9 lead early in the fourth UNE never looked back, riding their momentum for the 13-10 victory.
Bryant led the Huskies in scoring with three goals, while Baker and sophomore Willie Joy (Portland) each had two. The Huskies will be on the road until April 3rd, as they look to earn their first victory of the 2010 season. They’ll travel to Castine to take on Maine Maritime Academy Mar. 20, Standish to battle St. Joseph’s Mar. 24, and Lewiston to take on Bates Mar. 30.