GORHAM, Maine –  Junior Julia McKenna (Windham, Maine) scored the game-winning goal on an outstanding individual effort and five different players scored as the University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the Westfield State University Owls 5-2 in a non-conference women's soccer game Wednesday night at Hannaford Field.
 
The Huskies have scored 16 goals in their opening three games, and have conceded just two goals to get off to a strong 3-0 start to the 2023 season.
 
The Records:
Westfield State (0-2-0)
Southern Maine (3-0-0)
 
Today's game marked just the second meeting between the Owls and the Huskies. Southern Maine traveled to Westfield State in 2022 for the series' first matchup, defeating the Owls 5-0.
 
The game featured a pair of 2022 conference champions and NCAA tournament participants.  Westfield State is the back-to-back (2021, 2022) defending MASCAC Champions, while the Huskies are the reigning 2022 Little East Conference Champions.  Both teams were picked to repeat as champions of their respective conferences.
 
How It Happened:

• The Huskies led the Owls 2-0 at the end of the first half. Junior Kiki Huntress (Kittery Point, Maine/Traip Academy) headed in the first goal of the game off of a corner kick service from McKenna in the sixth minute for a 1-0 USM lead. Southern Maine doubled its advantage with just over two minutes left in the half as sophomore Bridgette Toland (Jamestown, R.I./North Kingstown) broke through in the 44th minute after freshman Maya Bermudez (West Haven, Conn.) hustled her way onto a loose ball and found Toland in the top of the box.
• Westfield rallied back quickly in the second half scoring in the 49^th and 57^th minute to equalize. Delaney Parker used her exceptional speed and ball control to carry the ball down the left side of the field before slotting home her first game of the season.  The Owls equalized on a fantastic corner kick from Erin White, who beat USM keeper Breanna Atwood (Franklin, Mass.) to the near post for an Olimpico goal.
• The Huskies quickly regained their lead as McKenna won the ball in the midfield and then drove to the left side of the field. Cutting into the area, McKenna unleashed a far post shot to put USM up in the 58^th minute.
• Sophomore Julia Kratzer (Gorham, Maine/Cheverus) made it a 4-2 game in the 71st, running onto a well-played ball out of the back from senior Sarah Lowell (Oakland, Maine/Messalonskee)  before senior Eliza Roy (Camden, Maine/Camden Hills) made it 5-2 in the 85^th off of an assist from sophomore Riley Reitchel (Palermo, Maine/Erskine Academy).

 
The Goalkeepers:
WS, Kayla Santucci (0-2), 90:00, 5 GA, 11 saves
SM, Breanna Atwood (3-0), 90:00, 2 GA, 6 Saves
 
Inside The Stats:

• With her first goal of 2023, McKenna, the 2022 Little East Conference Rookie of the Year, now has 14 career goals.  McKenna now has 31 (14 g, 4 a) career points.  Her 14 career goals are tied for eighth all-time, while her 31 points are now in the top 20.
• Roy has recorded a point in each of the Huskies' three games in 2023. She has a team-leading three goals and an assist for seven points.
• Both Toland and Kratzer scored their first intercollegiate goals.
• Huntress' goal is the fourth of her career.
• Atwood's win in goal is the 30th of her career. She is 30-8-2 all-time. Her six saves against the Owls are a season-high.

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine travels to the University of New England on Saturday (12:00 pm) and then heads to Colby College on Tuesday (6:00 pm) for a pair of non-conference matchups.  The Huskies open their LEC schedule at home against Eastern Connecticut next Saturday (1:00 pm).
           
 
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