GORHAM, Maine  --  Sophomore forward Dan Rautenberg (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) scored a goal and passed out two assists as the University of Southern Maine defeated Wesleyan University, 4-1, Friday evening in an ECAC East-NESCAC inter-league game at the USM Ice Arena.

            The win snapped a seven-game winless skid for the Huskies and improved their record to 9-12-3 overall and 6-9-3 in league play.  The Cardinals slide to 7-15-0 overall and 4-14-0 in league games.

            Rautenberg put the hosts in top just 1:47 into the game converting a Wesleyan defensive zone turnover into an unassisted goal.  Rautenberg set up senior Pat Noonan (Burlington, Mass.) for Noonan's seventh goal of the campaign at 5:20.

            Senior Chris Travis (Scituate, Mass.) made it 3-0 in the final minute of the period redirecting a pass from junior Zach Joy (Dover, N.H.) past Wesleyan rookie goalie Matt Hadge (Canton, Mass.).

            Junior Jon Rutt (Scarborough, Maine) gave the Huskies a 4-0 lead at 13:00 of the second period.  Rautenberg and Noonan picked up the assists.

            Senior Sam Robinson (Winchester, Mass.) got the Cardinals on the board at 15:38 of the second period, set up by sophomores Tim Salah (Gloucester, Mass.) and A.J. Ferraro (New Canaan, Conn.).

            There would be no scoring in the final period as USM sophomore Mason St. Hilaire (Saco, Maine) and Wesleyan freshman Glenn Stowell (Hadley, Mass.) stopped every shot they faced.  St. Hilaire finished the game with 19 saves.  Stowell, who replaced Hadge at the start of the second period, registered 11 saves.  Hadge recorded five saves in the first period.

            Southern Maine concludes the regular season Saturday (4:00 p.m.) when it hosts Trinity College.  Wesleyan will play at the University of New England on Saturday (3:00 p.m.).

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