KEENE, NH –  Freshman Josiah Irish (Gorham, Maine) scored twice in the first half, and senior Hayes Estrella (Kennebunk, Maine/Thornton Academy) made five saves to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a key 2-1 win over the Keene State College Owls in a Little East Conference men's soccer game Saturday afternoon at the Owl Athletic Complex.
 
With the win, Southern Maine keeps its unbeaten streak alive at eight games (3-0-5) and improves its record to 5-4-7 and 1-3-3 in the Little East.  Keene State falls to 5-7-2 and 3-4 in the LEC.  The win is the first for the Huskies over Keene State since the 2011 season.  Southern Maine battled the Owls to a double overtime 1-1 draw in 2017. 
 
The Records:
Southern Maine (5-4-7, 1-3-3 LEC))
Keene State (5-7-2, 3-4 LEC)
 
How It Happened:

• Irish scored the first goal of the game, and his first intercollegiate goal in the 37^th minute to put the Huskies ahead 1-0.  Irish completed the assist from classmate Colin Albert (Gorham, Maine). 
• Minutes later in the 40^th, Irish gave the Huskies a two goal cushion finishing a service from William Smith (Northborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional).  Smith's assist to Irish is his team-leading fourth of the season. 
• Keene State took back a goal in the dying moments of the first half to trail Southern Maine 2-1 at the break. KSC's Michael Mullen scored his fourth goal of the season in the 42^nd minute off of an assist from Mbambi Mbungu.
• Both teams had chances in the second half, with USM holding a slim 5-4 edge in shots in the final 45, but Estrella two of his five saves of the game to preserve the win.

The Goalkeepers:
SM, Hayes Estrella (5-4-7), 90:00, 1 GA, 5 Saves
KSC, Anthony Pascuito (3-6-1), 90:00, 2 GA, 3 Saves
 
Up Next:
Southern Maine returns home on Sunday (4:00 pm) for a non-conference game versus UMaine Farmington.  The Huskies close out their regular season at home on Saturday (1:00 pm) versus Western Connecticut State in LEC play.