PORTLAND, Maine  –  Sophomore forward Kailey Bubier (Auburn, Maine/Hebron Academy) knocked in the game-winning goal with just seconds remaining in the first overtime period to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a high-scoring 5-4 Little East Conference win over the Westfield State University Owls Saturday evening at Memorial Field in Portland, Maine.

            With the win, Southern Maine improves to 5-7 overall and 3-2 in the Little East Conference.  Suffering its third straight loss, Westfield State falls to 4-6 overall and 1-4 in the conference.

            Trailing the Owls 4-3 with 20 minutes to play in regulation, Bubier's first goal of the game was good enough to force the overtime action.  Converting one of nine USM penalty corners, Bubier connected on a hard driven shot after receiving evenly played pass from junior back Bethany Bougie (Sanford, Maine) in the 53rd minute.  Bougie received the ball from junior midfielder Amy Richardson (Standish, Maine/Bonny Eagle) who started the corner for the Huskies.

            The Huskies, who led the Owls 3-1 midway through the first half, found themselves trailing the Owls 4-3 at the end of the half.  The Owls were able to take the lead after a goal from junior forward Jessi Gould (Canton, Mass.) and a pair of goals from junior back Nicole Gagnon (Andover, Mass.).  Both of Gagnon's goals were long-range strikes off of penalty corners.

            In the overtime period, both teams had chances to walk away with the victory as the two teams combined for 20 shots.  Westfield State freshman forward Sarah Pliszka (Enfield, Conn.) had the Owls best chance when her shot ricocheted off of the far side post in the 12th minute of the overtime period.

            Bubier's game-winner came as the clock was winding down in the overtime period.  Junior forward Whitney McDaniel (Livermore, Maine/Livermore Falls) initiated the play and carried the ball down the right side of the field before passing the ball off to Bubier who was able to find the net despite an excellent effort from Westfield State junior goalkeeper Amanda McCarthy (Franklin, Mass.).

            McCarthy finished the game with 15 saves, including six in the overtime period.  USM senior goalkeeper Rachel Lolley (Gorham, Maine) earned the win for the Huskies making four saves, three in the overtime period, after relieving freshman goalkeeper Kayla Kennedy (Windham, Maine) at the half.

            Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.) when it travels to Salem State University for a Little East Conference game.  Westfield State hosts Bridgewater State on Tuesday (1 p.m.). 

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