(Courtesy of Worcester State University Sports Information)

            WORCESTER, Mass. -- Junior Brendan Whitson (Auburn, Mass.) scored a goal in the 83rd minute to help lift the Worcester State University Lancers to a 1-0 triumph over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in non-conference men's soccer action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

            The win was the first of the season for Worcester State after two losses.  Southern Maine falls to 1-3 on the season.

            With just over seven minutes remaining in the contest, junior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, Conn.) spotted a streaking Whiston and hit him in stride with a long pass.  Whitson outran a defender and unleashed a shot to beat USM senior goalkeeper Jeremy Turner (Portland, Maine/Deering) far side right for the eventual game winning mark.

            The Lancers (1-2) had numerous scoring chances in the first half, but were unable to capitalize and get the ball past Turner who had a solid period stopping all six shots that he faced. 

            In the 27th minute, the Lancers had a great opportunity to get on the board when freshman Shane Fraga (Ludlow, Mass.) headed a corner kick just outside the right post.  Just six minutes later, senior DJ Gustafson (Webster, Mass.) gave the Lancers a great look from 20 yards out when he crossed over the defense and shot a bullet toward the left corner where Turner had to lay out making a great full extension save to keep the game scoreless.

            Southern Maine opened the second half with a great scoring chance in the 57th minute.  Sophomore Mazen Aljari (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) went streaking up the middle of the field after a loose ball on a breakaway, but freshman net minder Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) came out of net to make a great slide tackle to knock the ball away at the 35-yard line.  In the 73rd minute Aljari had another bid, but this time he chipped a shot toward the short side post from point-blank range only to see Zucco make a diving stab to keep the score knotted up at zero.

            Turner finished the game tallying 11 saves while Zucco added four stops for the Lancers.  Worcester State finished with the 19-8 edge in shots and the 7-2 lead in corner kicks.

            Southern Maine returns home to face Bowdoin College on Monday (4:00 p.m.). Worcester State will travel to Trinity College for a contest Wednesday afternoon (4:30 p.m.).