Box Score GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Niko Uola (Turku, Finland) scored all three New England College goals as the Pilgrims defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 3-1, in an ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Men's East game Saturday at the USM Ice Arena.
The win gave the Pilgrims a sweep of their weekend visit to Maine as they defeated the University of New England on Friday, 3-2, in overtime. The Pilgrims improved their record to 4-6-1 overall and 3-4-0 in the league. The Huskies dropped their second straight to fall to 4-6-2 overall and 2-5-0 in league play.
Uola, who now has 14 goals on the season, scored twice in the first period to stake the visitors to a 2-0 lead. He scored his first goal at 6:45 tipping home a pass from the left point by senior Jared Mullen (Roanoke, Va.). He netted his second goal at 12:04 converting a Huskies' turnover into an unassisted marker. He had an attempt for a hat trick in the first period, but was stopped on a breakaway by USM rookie netminder Braely Torris (Eckville, Alberta).
Southern Maine got one back in the final minute of the period as senior Jon Rutt (Scarborough, Maine) potted a back-hander over NEC senior goalie Aaron Harvey (Milford, Nova Scotia). It would be the only USM shot to allude Harvey who finished with 27 saves. Junior Dan Rautenberg (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and rookie Angelo Vrachnas (St. James, N.Y.) earned the assists.
After a scoreless second period, Uola finally got his hat trick at 11:35 of the third period, converting a bad angle shot into a power-play goal. Mullen and junior Aki Uola (Turku, Finland) got credit for the assists.
Torris recorded 28 saves before being lifted in the final minute for the extra attacker as USM pressed the offense while on the power play.
Southern Maine hits the road next weekend playing in-state rivals Bowdoin College on Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Colby College on Saturday (3:00 p.m.). New England College hosts Fitchburg State College in a non-conference game on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).
