FALMOUTH, Maine -- Sophomore Alex Wolfel (Amston, Conn.) broke a scoreless draw in the 66th minute converting a penalty kick and the Worcester State University Lancers went on to defeat the University of Southern Maine, 2-0, Saturday afternoon in a non-conference men's soccer match played at Falmouth High School.

            The Lancers picked up their first win of the season to improve to 1-2-0.  The Huskies are still winless after four games.

            The teams battled through a scoreless first half that saw the Lancers hold an edge in the play and out shoot the Huskies 5-2.  The Huskies had the best scoring opportunity coming late in the half as sophomore Ben Kanokvichitra (Littlehampton, UK) bounced a shot off the crossbar, then headed the rebound just over the crossbar.

            The Lancers were awarded the penalty kick when rookie Ben Gerhardt (Jefferson, Mass./Wachusett) was pulled down in the box.  Wolfel calmly stepped up to the spot and put a right-footed shot into the left side of the goal past diving USM junior goalkeeper Jeremy Turner (Portland, Maine/Deering).

            Gerhardt put the game away in the 89th minute.  With the Huskies pressing for an equalizer, the Lancers quickly countered down the right side.  Senior Justin Biela (Bridgewater, Mass.) laid a pass across the goal to an unmarked Gerhardt, and the rookie forward slipped home a six-yard shot.

Senior goalkeeper Evan Wilga (Webster, Mass./Shepherd Hill) posted the shutout despite not recording a save.  Turner finished the match with three saves.  Worcester State had a 15-2 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

            Southern Maine hosts Saint Joseph's College (Me.) in its next match on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.).  Worcester State entertains Trinity College on Tuesday night (7:00 p.m.).

-ble-