GORHAM, Maine – Senior
Orlando Herrera (Milbridge, Maine/Sumner Memorial) hit a one-time volley in the 56th minute for the game-winner and junior Will Smith (Northborough, Mass./Algonquin Regional) assisted on both Husky goals as the University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the New England College Pilgrims 2-0 in a non-conference men's soccer game Thursday evening at Hannaford Field.
Meeting for the sixth time in series history, Southern Maine leads the Pilgrims 5-1. New England College, the 2021 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Champions, defeated Southern Maine 2-0 last season in New Hampshire.
The Records:
New England College (1-2)
Southern Maine (2-0-1)
How It Happened:
- After battling through a scoreless half, despite Southern Maine leading in offensive opportunities with a 7-3 lead in shots and a 5-0 margin in corner kicks, Herrera broke open the stalemate with accurately struck shot following a corner kick service from Smith. The goal is the first of the season and career for Herrera.
- Senior Zekariya Shaib (Portland, Maine) added an insurance goal for the Huskies with a low driven shot to the far post after Smith laid a ball off from the top of the 18 to the left side of the area in the 76th minute. Shaib's first goal of 2022 is the ninth of his career.
- Senior goalkeeper Hayes Estrella (Kiennebunk, Maine/Traip Academy) earned his second shutout of the season making three saves.
- NEC sophomore Hayden Walker (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Central) made six saves, including a save against a penalty shot in the 57th minute.
The Goalkeepers:
SM,
Hayes Estrella (2-0-1), 90:00, 0 GA, 3 saves
NEC, Hayden Walker (1-1), 90:00, 2 GA, 6 saves
Inside The Stats:
- USM led 15-8 in shots and 7-3 in shots on goal. The Huskies also had a 7-1 lead in corner kicks as the Pilgrims did not record their first corner kick until late in the second half.
- Estrella's shutout is the fourth in his career (12 games). Making 20 saves so far this season, Estrella has a .952 save percentage and a 0.333 goals against average.
Up Next:
Southern Maine hosts University of New England on Saturday (12:00 pm) in a non-conference match up.
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