PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The University of Southern Maine Huskies clinched the No. 6 seed in the 2023 Little East Conference Men's Soccer Championship Tournament on Saturday evening thanks to a 0-0 draw with Vermont State University Castleton. The Huskies entered the contest in sixth place in the conference standings with a two-point lead over Castleton and needed a victory or draw to secure the final spot in the tournament. Junior goalkeeper Simon Gabaree (Windham, Maine) made five saves in the shutout for his second clean sheet of the season.
 
The game was played at Plymouth State University's Panther Field in Plymouth, NH. Originally scheduled to be played at Hannaford Field in Gorham, the site was moved in order to help comply with Town of Gorham directives.
 
The Records:
Vermont State University Castleton (4-11-3, 1-4-3 LEC)
Southern Maine (4-9-5, 2-4-2 LEC)
 
Today's match marked the 13^th meeting between the Huskies and Spartans. Castleton leads series 7-3-3.
 
How It Happened:

• The Huskies pressured the Spartans with six shots in the first half but Castleton keeper Andres Soto-Burgos saved both shots on goal that he faced. Soto-Burgos stopped a header from junior Vincent Anderson (Anchorage, Alaska) in the 7th minute and a shot by freshman Owen Weatherby (Windham, Maine) in the 33rd minute. Castleton couldn't muster much offense on the other end of the pitch registering just two shots in the half with one being on frame.
• With their playoff hopes on the line, the Spartans stepped up their offensive efforts in the second half with nine shots including four that were on goal. The biggest threat came in the 73^rd minute when Stanley Andersen forced a turnover and then drew a foul that resulted in a penalty kick. Andersen's attempt hit the crossbar before a Castleton foul ended the threat.
• A late yellow card gave the Spartans one last chance, but Gabaree corralled a desperation boot by Soto-Burgos to secure the win and clinch the Huskies' first conference tournament appearance since 2018.

 
The Goalkeepers:
VTSU Castleton: Andres Soto-Burgos (2-8-3), 90:00 0 GA, 3 Saves
Southern Maine: Simon Gabaree (4-7-4), 90:00, 0 GA, 5 Saves
 
Inside The Stats:

• Castleton finished the game with an 11-9 advantage in shots and a 5-3 lead in shots on goal.
• The teams combined for 28 fouls with the Huskies committing 16.
• Each side had two corner kicks with both of Southern Maine's coming in the first seven minutes of the game and Castleton's two coming in the second half.
• Today's result marks the fourth shutout by the Huskies this season.

 
Up Next:
The Huskies have earned the No. 6 seed in the LEC Championship Tournament and will travel to face No. 3 seed Western Connecticut State University on Tuesday in the first round. The teams last met on October 21 at Western Connecticut and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.