GORHAM, Maine – Led by six goals from Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) and thirteen saves from Cece Racine (Lewiston, Maine/Lewiston), the fourth-seeded University of Southern Maine Huskies took down fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State Warriors in the quarterfinals of the Little East Conference tournament 18-3 on Tuesday in Gorham. With the win, the Huskies advance to play the number one seed, Western Connecticut State on Thursday, May 5, in Danbury.

When and Where: Tuesday, May 3 – University of Southern Maine – Hannaford Field

History: This is the 28th matchup between the two teams. The Warriors currently lead the series 18-10, with Southern Maine winning the most recent four contests.

The Records: Southern Maine: 11-6 ; Eastern Connecticut: 8-8

The Goalies:
Southern Maine:
Racine: 13 saves, .813 save percentage

Eastern Connecticut:
Sarah Gallagher (South Windsor, Conn.): eight saves, .381 save percentage
Emma Alford (West Hartford, Conn.): one save, .167 save percentage

Recap/Inside the Stats: 
-Southern Maine got off to a good start in the first quarter as Shanks, Kate Colvin (Winchester, Mass./Governor's Academy), Jillian Nichols (Gorham, Maine/Gorham), and Jennifer Darasz (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) combined for five goals and the Huskies' defense limited the Warriors to just one.

-Carrying a 5-1 lead into the second quarter, Nichols, Evelyn Hinkley (West Gardiner, Maine/Gardiner), and Colvin scored three goals in a row to extend the Huskies' lead. Claire Riccitelli-Pestana (Wallingford, Conn.) scored the lone second quarter goal for the Warriors.

-The second half of the game saw goals from Colvin, Shanks, Hinkley, and Emily Baker (Limerick, Maine/Massabesic) and defender Rhiannon McQuaide (Wells, Maine/Wells) netted her first career goal.

-Defensively, Kiaya Gatchell (Portland, Maine/Deering) collected three ground balls and caused an impressive six turnovers, while Darasz picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers. 

-The .813 save percentage posted by Racine is the fifth-best single-game save percentage in program history.

-This is the first playoff win for the Huskies since the 2019 season.