Box Score BIDDEFORD, Maine – Senior Sean Goodrich (Gorham, N.H.) scored in the 105th minute as the University of New England Nor'easters escaped with a 2-1 overtime victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference men's soccer game Tuesday afternoon at Barbara J. Hazard Field.
The win extends the University of New England's unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) and improves its overall record to 8-3-2. The loss is the fourth straight for the Huskies who dip to 2-11-2 overall. Southern Maine has played in five overtime contests this season and is 1-1-2.
The Huskies' struck first in the contest taking a 1-0 lead late in the first half. Southern Maine senior Tyler Rand (Westbrook, Maine) scored his team-leading third goal of the season in the 31st minute. Rand collected the pass from freshman Colin Samuell (Coventry, R.I.) and placed his shot to the upper right corner to give his team the edge.
Southern Maine's one goal advantage held until the 51st minute when the Nor'easters pulled even with the Huskies off of the foot of junior Tyler Garnick (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy). Garnick scored the game-tying goal beating USM sophomore goalkeeper Elijah Leverett (North Yarmouth, Maine/Greely) to the right after receiving a short pass from graduate student Matthew Christie (Hudson, N.H./Bishop Guertin) to set up the score. After Garnick's fourth goal of the season, the score remained locked at 1-1 through regulation despite the Nor'easter holding an advantage in possession and shots.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first overtime period with the Huskies registering one shot and UNE recording two. In the second overtime, USM had the first two attempts at net, before the Nor'easters strung together a quartet of shots culminating in Goodrich's game-winner. Garnick set up the goal finding Goodrich on a short pass in the box, who one-timed hit with a hard-struck volley into the upper right nets.
Junior Nate Diffin (York, Maine) and senior Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ontario) split time in goal for UNE. Diffin made four saves and allowed one goal in the opening 45 minutes, while McParland closed out the next 59:35 making one save to earn the win. Leverett made 11 saves in the loss.
Southern Maine returns to action at home on Saturday when it takes on Little East Conference opponent Western Connecticut State University (12:00 p.m.). UNE hosts Nichols on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) for its next game.
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