Box Score (Courtesy of Coast Guard Sports Information)
Coast Guard Blanks Southern Maine 3-0 in Season Opener
NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Seniors Joe Bodzewski and Robert Copeland each registered their first goals of the season and the Coast Guard men's soccer team opened up its 2013 campaign with a 3-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine Friday night.
Senior Matt Epperly was involved in both scoring chances for the Bears as he recorded a pair of assists on the night.
Bodzewski scored just 14 seconds into the second half to break a scoreless stalemate and give the Bears a 1-0 advantage. The play was set up when Copeland played a ball into the box from the wing and Epperly one-touched the ball over to Bodzewski on the edge 6-yard box. Bodzewski then tapped a one-timer past USM freshman keeper Matthew Willis (Standish, Maine/Bonny Eagle).
The second goal of the match was scored in the 52nd minute when Epperly connected on a long pass to Copeland down the middle of the field. Copeland took a pair of touches before beating Willis nearside for the 2-0 Coast Guard advantage.
The Bears dominated the game from the outset with their aggressive style of play that led to a 26-5 advantage in shots (7-2 on goal), as well as being called for 12 fouls compared to 10 for the Huskies. The Bears also held a big advantage in corner kicks, as they tallied a 12-2 advantage in that department.
In the 83rd minute, Bodzewski added his second goal of the evening on a breakaway attempt with senior John Rendon picking up his first assist of the season.
The win is the tenth for the Bears in their last 11 season-openers, dating back to the 2003 season. With the victory, Coast Guard improves to 4-0-0 against Southern Maine, dating back to 1972 when records began.
The Huskies, who play their first five games on the road this season, travel to Bowdoin College on Tuesday (4:30 p.m.). The Bears return to action on Saturday, September 7th when they take on SUNY-New Paltz at the St. Joseph's (L.I.) Tournament.
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