NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass.  – Senior Shelby Friedland (New Bedford, Mass.) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the seventh minute to lead University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over the University of Southern Maine this afternoon on a rain-soaked Cressy Field.

           The Corsairs won for the fourth time in their past five matches to improve to 5-5 on the season, including a 2-1 mark in the conference circuit.  The Huskies fell to 2-9-1 and 0-3 in Little East action.

UMass Dartmouth registered all the offense it would require in the seventh minute, when senior Maura Gonsalves (Dartmouth, Mass.) sent a crossing pass from the left corner that Friedland flicked, with her back to the goal, inside the right post.  The Corsairs continued to apply the offensive pressure, taking a 12-3 advantage in shots into the halftime intermission.

Southern Maine had its best scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of the contest.  Senior Mariah Cropley (Topsham, Maine/Mt. Ararat) was twice able to work herself free along the right side of the Corsair defense, but her attempts sailed wide of the net.

Sophomore Nikki Butts (Milford, Mass. / Mount St. Charles) made one save to collect the shutout victory, while sophomore Marissa Temple (Grafton, Mass.) kept the visitors within striking distance with 10 saves.

           UMass Dartmouth held a 23-5 advantage in shots, and a 3-1 lead in corner kick opportunities.

            Southern Maine hosts Eastern Connecticut on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).  UMass Dartmouth returns to action on the same date (7:00 p.m.) and will host Nichols College.

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