Published: February 23. 2026
GORHAM, MAINE – Love was in the air – and so were the wins – as USM delivered a massive weekend across four sporting programmes. From dominance on the court to late drama at home in the Ice Arena, showcasing determination, grit, and continuing title-challenger momentum, the Huskies gave fans plenty to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.
Women’s Basketball:
The nationally ranked side continued its season of dominance with a 75-60 conference win over UMass Dartmouth. Reinforcing their status as one of the region’s most dangerous and consistent sides under Coach Chadbourne, No.25 Southern Maine improves their record to 22-2.
Lucy Wiles, the standout, scored a career high of 32 points. In the first quarter, she scored five straight and drained her first of four threes of the afternoon. Powered further by Jaycie Christopher’s 23 points, the duo combined for 55 of the team’s 75 points. Both players were clinical from the arc, and two other starters, Dakota Shipley and Liz Cote, had memorable performances.
Another display of dominance, the Huskies’ defensive discipline and balance in attack allowed them to turn a contest into a composed win; consistency and depth in the roster proved to be hallmarks of their campaign.
Next Saturday, the Huskies are back at home at 1 pm, hosting VTSU-Castleton for their Senior Day in the regular season finale.
Men’s Basketball:
On the men’s side, Men’s Basketball also battled for a 89-80 win on the road. Senior Captain Thomas Whelan scored a game high 30-points, with transfer Noah Dowling, Freshman Carter Galle,y and Senior Stephen Gabriel III all hitting double figures.
The Huskies left it all on the line as they maintained a tight lead in the second half, draining a late 8 points and conceding only 2 free throws in the remaining 2 minutes of the game. Freshman Gabe Lash, announced as the Little East Rookie of the Week on Monday (following two stellar performances against UMD and Plymouth State earlier last week) had nine points, nine rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a blocked shot. He scored both of his free throws, followed by a Whelan layup to round out his own outstanding performance, and four points from the free-throw line from Galley.
This win takes the Huskies up to 10 in the conference, leaving them with a 15-9 record and lots of promise as they turn to the last game of the regular season against VTSU Castleton at home on Saturday for Senior Day (3 pm).
Women’s Hockey:
In the rink, the Huskies celebrated a dramatic win; three late third-period goals saw a deficit overturned as they beat Plymouth State 4-2.
Starting the game strongly, Freshman Gracelyn Koch scored off a rebound just 16 seconds in. Plymouth were able to equalise to end the first period, and the only goal of the second period against the run of momentum put them ahead (1-2).
In a magical final period, the Huskies scored three goals unanswered to seal a valuable Valentine’s victory. Caroline Thompson snuck past the goalkeeper with 12 minutes on the clock, then Shannon Murphy put the Huskies ahead with just four minutes to go. With 90 seconds on the clock, Koch got her second of the game from the halfway line, capitalising on an empty net and securing the win.
The players turned pressure into momentum and put their side in good standing for the final weekend of the regular season. The Huskies host Keene State next Friday and Saturday. (9-13-1).
Men’s Hockey:
Another dramatic storyline in the rink comes on the men’s side in the win against UMass Boston. The team celebrated five Seniors in David Bazile, Cole Brennan, John Hagan, Connor Donovan, and Kadin Illot. Donovan recorded two assists, and Hagan and Illot both scored. Huskies goalkeeper Loic Morin delivered another standout performance with 47 saves. Freshman Ben Aucoin – having a stellar season with 16 goals and 8 assists in 23 games – gave the Huskies the lead in the final minute of the second period.
Totalling four goals in the remaining 6 and a half minutes of the game, USM went up 3-1, but the Beacons were quick to cut the lead to 3-2. They pulled out their goalkeeper for the remaining 90 seconds, and the Huskies missed an open net twice before Hagan finally slotted home a fourth from his own defensive third. The Beacons capitalised on their extra man and pulled one back, but it wasn’t enough to overpower this resilient Huskies side. A dramatic victory was a fitting tribute for the graduating class and a testament to the team’s grit. This leaves Men’s Hockey with a 12-10-1 record (10-5-1 in the LEC). Next weekend, they have a double away fixture against Plymouth State and New England College to round out the conference.
With four games and four wins, the Huskies are broadcasting their message loud and clear. Statement performances fuelled by senior leadership, depth in the roster, and individual plays, our teams are hitting their stride at the right time and aren’t showing any signs of backing down as the respective Little East Conference post-season tournaments start next week.
