GORHAM, Maine –  Senior Brooke Carson (Bryant Pond, Maine/Oxford Hills) scored the game-tying goal and then punched in the overtime game-winner to lead the no. 1 University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-1 overtime win over the no. 4 Vermont State University – Castleton Spartans in a semifinal game of the 2023 Little East Conference Field Hockey Tournament.
 
The Huskies, the 2023 Little East Conference Regular Season Champion, will host the championship game on Saturday, November 4 at Hannaford Field.  Southern Maine will host second seed Keene State at 12:00 pm at Hannaford Field. The Huskies edged Keene State 5-4 in overtime during the regular season.
 
The Records:
No. 4 VTSU – Castleton (11-8)
No. 1 Southern Maine (14-7)
 
Today's game marked the eight meeting between the Spartans and the University of Southern Maine Huskies.  Southern Maine leads the overall series 6-2, and earned a 4-1 win over VTSU-Castleton in the regular season.
 
How It Happened:

• The Spartans took the early lead as Emily Harris, the NCAA Division II scoring leader, notched her 47^th goal of the season with a far-post shot in the third minute. 
• Southern Maine had several chances in the first half for the equalizer, but Castleton goalkeeper Hannah Frittenburg turned in a strong performance, making nine first half saves.
• Carson pulled the Huskies even late in the third quarter tapping in a ball on the far post after a brilliant individual effort on the near side from junior Abigail Chartier (Lewiston, Maine).
• In the fourth, both teams had limited chances with each limiting just one shot, sending the game into overtime.
• Facing off seven to a side, Southern Maine controlled the play and after an initial shot from Husky junior Sage Drinkwater (Steep Falls, Maine/Bonny Eagle) was turned away by Frittenburg.  However, Carson jumped on the loose ball and drove in the game-winning goal. 

The Goalkeepers:
CU, Hannah Frittenburg (1-1), 62:08, 2 GA, 10 Saves
SM, Julianna Kiklis (3-1), 62:08, 1 GA, 7 Saves
 
Inside The Statistics:

• Southern Maine outshot the Spartans 19-10, and had a 10-6 lead in penalty corners.
• With two goals in today's game, Carson leads the Huskies with 12 goals and six assist for 30 points.  She has four game-winning goals this season. 

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine will host the 2023 Little East Conference Championship on Saturday, November 4.  The Huskies will face No. 2 Keene State College Owls at 12:00 pm for the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
           
 
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