GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore goalie Addison Dietz (Waterbury Center, Vt./Harwood Union) made 14 saves and senior Nick James (Portland, Maine/Deering) recorded six points for the University of Southern Maine Huskies in an 11-5 non-conference win over the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats on Saturday in Gorham. Seniors Schuyler Wetmore (Cumberland Center, Maine/Greely) and Omar Contreras (Portland, Maine/Deering) each had hat tricks for Southern Maine while juniors Aman Zunser (Lyman, Maine/ Massabesic) and Andrew James (Portland, Maine/Deering) both scored twice. Zunser also had an assist.
 
The Wildcats had five different players score goals and another three pick up assists. One of the goal scorers for Johnson & Wales was Mike Catuosco, who also caused two turnovers and scooped up a game-high seven ground balls.
 
The Records:
Johnson & Wales: 5-3
Southern Maine: 4-6
 
Series History:
The Huskies have now evened the series with the Wildcats 1-1. Johnson & Wales took the first meeting last season by a score of 8-7 on March 1, 2023.
 
The Goaltenders:
Southern Maine: Addison Dietz (3-5), 60:00, five goals allowed, 14 saves
Johnson & Wales: Chris April (5-3), 60:00, 11 goals allowed, 16 saves
 
How It Happened:

• The Huskies got off to a fast start with three goals in the first three minutes of play. Zunser, Wetmore and Contreras had the scores with James assisting on the latter two goals. Freshman Adam Coley (Valencia, Cail./Cheshire) assisted on Zunser's goal.
• Johnson & Wales cut the lead to 3-2 with 3:46 left in the first quarter thanks to goals from Jacob Graham and Hayden Haldane before Zunser scored his second goal of the day and the James brothers teamed up for a fifth Southern Maine goal.
• Dietz and the Huskies held the Wildcats scoreless in the second quarter. Deitz had one save in the quarter as the Wildcats had five shots that were off target and two more hit off the post. Wetmore and James had goals in the quarter for the Huskies. James assisted on Wetmore's goal and freshman Patrick O'Driscoll (Biddeford, Maine) fed a pass to James on his tally.
• The Huskies added two more goals in the third quarter and Dietz made five saves to hold the Wildcats scoreless once again. Contreras and Andrew James found the back of the net and Zunser and Coley had assists.
• The Wildcats outscored the Huskies 3-2 in the fourth quarter but could not overcome the deficit.

 
Inside The Stats:

• The Huskies led in faceoff wins 11-9 led by Cayden Poisson-Bragdon (Lewison, Maine) with nine wins. Freshman Mack Wilkins (Topsham, Maine/Mt. Ararat) won two faceoffs and had two ground balls.
• Zunser and freshman Iyah Lavit (Hancock, Vt./ Harwood Union) each caused three turnovers and had four ground balls. James led the Huskies in ground balls with five.
• Dietz's 14 saves are his most in a win this season.

 
Up Next:
The Huskies will resume Little East Conference play on Saturday, April 6 at Keene State College.