GORHAM, Maine  - Freshman Riley Reitchel (Palermo, Maine/Erskine Academy) scored the game-winning goal in the 30^th minute, notching her second goal of the season, to help the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-0 win over the Smith College Pioneers in a non-conference women's soccer game Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
 
Today's game is the second meeting between the two schools.  Southern Maine is now 1-0-1 all-time against Smith.  Both teams battled to a 2-2 double overtime draw in 2021 at Smith College.
 
With the win over Smith, the Huskies have set a new program record for longest win streak and unbeaten streak with eight victories in a row.  The Huskies previous record of seven games unbeaten was set in the 2021 season (UMass Dartmouth, October 2, 2021 through October 23, 2021, Keene State).
 
 
The Records:
Smith (4-5-2)
Southern Maine (11-1-0)
 
How It Happened:

• Reitchel received a pass out wide from freshman Cierra Hill (Pembroke, Maine) and then made a fantastic individual effort carrying the ball down the left side of the field. Reitchel cut the ball back creating space for herself before taking one more touch towards goal and launching a left footed shot to the upper corner of the far post for the 1-0 Husky lead. . 
• Southern Maine doubled up its lead in the 66^th minute off of the foot of Little East Conference leading scorer junior Catriona Gould (Freeport, Maine).  Gould scored her 12^th goal of the season after an outstanding service into the box from defensive midfielder Kiki Huntress (Kittery Point, Maine/Traip Academy). 
• Husky junior goalkeeper Breanna Atwood (Franklin, Mass.) continued her strong play in net, making three saves for the shutout win. 

The Goalkeepers:
SC, Noemi Howland (4-3-2), 90:00, 2 GA, 6 Saves
SM, Breanna Atwood (10-1), 90:00, 0 GA, 3 Saves
 
Inside The Stats:

• Gould's 12 goals and five assists leads the Little East Conference with 29 points.  Her 12 goals are also atop the LEC statistical rankings. 
• Atwood's shutout is the seven of the season for the Huskies' junior.  She now tied for four in single-season records for shutouts with Valerie Smith '88 (7 shutouts, 1986.  She has 11 in her career which is fifth all-time. The Huskies record for shutouts in a career is 19 and is held by Samantha Whitman '01 (1997-2000). Whitman is being inducted in the Husky Hall of Fame this weekend.  Atwood leads the LEC in save percentage (.913) and goals against average (0.40)

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine returns to Little East Conference action and travels to Plymouth State on Wednesday (3:00 pm) . The Huskies remain on the road Saturday (1:00 pm) at LEC opponent Rhode Island College (1:00 pm).