DANBURY, Conn. - Junior
Tyler St. Martin (Lebanon, N.H.) scored his first goal of the 2023 season with just over a minute remaining in regulation to secure a draw on the road for the University of Southern Maine Huskies against the Western Connecticut State University Wolves, 1-1, in a Little East Conference men's soccer game Saturday afternoon at Westside Complex.
Now 2-4-1 in the Little East Conference, the Huskies' draw keeps them in strong position for a playoff spot in the 2023 Little East Conference Championship Tournament.
The Records:
Southern Maine (4-9-4, 2-4-1 Little East)
Western Connecticut (11-4-3, 4-1-2 Little East)
Today's game marked the 31
st meeting between the University of Southern Maine Huskies and the Western Connecticut State University Wolves. WestConn leads the overall series 22-8-1, and had won the last 10 games consecutively. Southern Maine last defeated the Wolves on September 17, 2011 by the score of 1-0.
How It Happened:
- Outshooting the Huskies' 6-1 in the opening 30 minutes, the Wolves took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute following Maximus Vigo's first goal of 2023. Vigo completed the assist from Franz Muhaj for the game's first goal.
- Still down 1-0 midway through the second half, the Huskies started to create chances putting a pair of shots on target in the 73rd and 76th minute. Sophomore Asa Farley (Gorham, Maine) got his head on the ball following a corner kick service from senior Will Smith at 72:47, and freshman Jack Brady (Jensen Beach, Fla.) had a shot cleared off the line by the WestConn defense in at 75:34.
- WestConn held the Huskies off until the last 1:20 of the game after Southern Maine earned a corner. Brady took the corner sending the ball to the near post, and St. Martin delivered the equalizer in the air for the 1-1 final.
The Goalkeepers:
SM,
Simon Gabaree (5-7-2), 90:00, 1 GA, 5 saves
WC, Zachary Benson (7-3-2), 90:00, 1 GA, 2 saves
Inside The Stats:
- Southern Maine outshot WestConn 6-3 in the second half. WestConn led for the game 13-7 in shots. Both teams had four corner kicks.
- St. Martin's goal is the third of his career.
- Brady's assist is his team-leading fifth of the season.
- The Huskies 21 goals this season are the most by the program since the 2017 season (6-11-2, 1-5-1 Little East). The 2017 team also scored 21 goals.
Up Next:
Southern Maine returns home for a Little East Conference game on Saturday, October 28 against Vermont State University – Castleton at 3:00 pm.
-cac-