BIDDEFORD, Maine – Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) scored three times to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 7-3 victory against the University of New England Nor'easters on Thursday afternoon in Biddeford.

When and Where: Thursday, February 24 – The University of New England – Blue Bolt Field

Score: Southern Maine 7, University of New England 3

History: This was the 18th matchup between the two teams. The Nor'easters now lead the series 6-12.

The Records: Southern Maine: 1-0-0 ; University of New England: 0-1-0

The Goaltenders: Cece Racine (Lewiston, Maine/Lewiston): 14 saves, .823 save percentage; Madison Bruzzese (Reading, Mass.): 9 saves, .563 save percentage.

How It Happened/Inside the Box Score: 
-The Nor'easters were first out of the gate as Ann Chapman (Kingston, Mass.) opened the scoring just four minutes into play. The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Nor'easters until the last two minutes of the first quarter when the Huskies scored two quick goals. Shanks scored both goals for the Huskies, the second with just seven seconds remaining. 

-The second quarter saw just two goals between the teams with Jennifer Darasz (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) scoring at the ten minute mark and Barrie Guertin (Bow, N.H.) scoring with five to play to bring the Nor'easters within one.

-UNE opened the third quarter with a goal scored by Anna Stowell (Sutton, N.H.) to even things up at 3-3. 

-Southern Maine closed out the last seven minutes of play with four goals to put the game away and earn their first win of the season. Shanks scored again, Emily Cloutier (Brunswick, Maine/Brunswick) added two, and Evelyn Hinkley (West Gardiner, Maine/Gardiner Area) scored her first of the season.

-The Huskies out-shot the Nor'easters 18-17 and collected 29 ground balls to UNE's 28.

Up Next: The Huskies will remain on the road as they head to Bates College on Wednesday, March 2, for a non-conference contest at 6pm