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            LEWISTON, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine broke a scoreless tie in the 59th minute and added a second goal 20 minutes later for a 2-0 non-conference victory over the Bates College men's soccer team on Tuesday at Russell Street Field.

            The win was the Huskies' first against the Bobcats since 1987 (a 3-0 USM home win), ending a 17-game winless streak (0-12-5) against their in-state rivals over that span.  After a very evenly matched first half, USM, 3-7-1, pulled ahead in the second half, creating better scoring opportunities and taking advantage of them. Bates fell to 3-4-1 overall.

            Senior midfielder Chris Kain (Kennebunk, Maine) netted his first goal this season with 31:42 left in the second half.  Unmarked at the top of the penalty area, Kain drilled a low ball beyond the reach of Bates junior goalkeeper Greg Watts (West Chester, Pa.) and into the left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

            The Huskies got an insurance goal 20 minutes later, as senior forward Nick Johnson (South Portland, Maine) delivered a cross to open first-year midfielder Branden Lever (Auburn, Maine), who scored his first collegiate goal on a header at waist height inside the far right post.

            USM senior goalie David Kreps (Agawam, Mass.) had seven saves, helping to make up for an 18-14 Bates advantage in shots taken, to post his 20th career shutout. Watts had four saves for Bates.

            Southern Maine plays at Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) in Little East Conference match.  Bates hosts Williams College on Saturday (11:00 a.m.).

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