Southern Maine Pulls Away from Husson in the Fourth for 17-13 Win

            GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Nick James' (Portland, Maine/Deering) third goal of the game early in the fourth quarter snapped a 12-12 tie and sparked a run of four consecutive University of Southern Maine goals as the Huskies pulled away from the visiting Husson University Eagles for a 17-13 win in non-conference men's lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.

            The win levels the Huskies overall record at 1-1, and gave first-year head coach Sam Manders his first collegiate coaching win.  The winless Eagles fall to 0-6 on the campaign.

            Husson junior Gunner McAllister (Albion, Maine/Lawrence) tied the game for Husson at 12-12 with an up-goal in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.  Just over a minute later, James gave the Huskies the lead for good with an unassisted marker.

            Junior captain Steve Gilbert (Litchfield, Maine/Oak Hill), sophomore Colin Kinney (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) and senior Tristan Dundas (Abbotsford, B.C.) followed with goals over the next eight-and-a-half minutes to put the Huskies ahead 16-12 with 4:55 to play.

            Junior Jaden Wells (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) snapped the run of USM goals for Husson at 3:43 to play, but Kinney restored the Huskies' four-goal lead less than a minute later with his sixth goal of the game.

            Kinney led all scorers with six goals.  Dundas had four goals and one assist, and James finished with three goals and three assists for a six-point game.  Gilbert added one goal and three assists.  Rookie goalie Ian Cooke (Lyman, Maine/Hyde School) stopped 16 shots to earn the win in his first collegiate start.

            Wells led the Eagles with five goals, and McAllister had four goals and one assist.  Sophomore goalie Kyle Prior (Hartland, Vt.) finished with 13 saves.

            Southern Maine is back on Hannaford Field on Tuesday (4 p.m.) hosting Thomas College for a non-conference game.  Husson heads to Sparks, Md., next weekend for the N.E. Lacrosse Classic.  The Eagles will take on Curry College on Friday (3:30 p.m.).

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