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            GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Mike Patriarca (Warren, R.I./Mt. Hope) scored two goals as Rhode Island College built a three-goal lead, then held off a second-half rally by the University of Southern Maine to post a 3-2 victory in a Little East Conference men's soccer match Saturday afternoon at the USM Soccer Field.

            The win stopped a three-match winless (0-2-1) skid for the Anchormen, and improved their record to 9-5-1 overall and 4-1-1 in LEC play.  The Huskies dropped their second straight to slip to 4-10-2 overall and 3-3-0 in conference play.

            In a match that proved to be the tale of two halves, Patriarca put the visitors on top in the 12th minute when his long-range shot bounced and changed directions in front of USM senior goalkeeper David Kreps (Agawam, Mass./Wilbraham, Mass.).  Kreps, trying to reverse direction, slipped on the slick surface and could only reach in vain as the shot went into the goal.

            Four minutes later, a USM clearing attempt hit a player and ricocheted to junior Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, R.I./Tolman) who placed a 12-yard shot past Kreps.  Patriarca made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute on a quick counter, taking a pass from junior Hector Espildora Fortuno (Malaga, Spain/Lowell Catholic) and maneuvering around Kreps for a shot into the empty net.

            Southern Maine began its comeback early in the second half as sophomore Matt Powers (Strafford, N.H./Coe-Brown Northwood) took a flick past from senior Nick Johnson (South Portland, Maine) and one-timed a shot by RIC junior keeper Nic Clark (East Bridgewater, Mass.) for his first goal.

            Senior Peter McHugh (Scarborough, Maine) got the Huskies within one with just under 11 minutes to play, knocking in the rebound of a shot taken by junior Jeff Soules (Scarborough, Maine).  The Huskies had one good opportunity to tie the match in the final minute, but Clark got his right hand to a shot by freshman Justin Lavertue (Rochester, N.H./Spaulding) and parried the ball over the crossbar.

            Clark finished the match recording three saves.  Kreps was credited with four saves.  RIC held a 12-10 margin in shots and a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

            Southern Maine will play its final regular season home game on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) hosting Salem State University.  Rhode Island College hosts Johnson and Wales University on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.).

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