GORHAM, Maine - Juniors
Ahmed Al Mshakheel (Biddeford, Maine) and
Exauce Lenge (Portland, Maine) each scored a goal, and sophomore
Gabe Wagner (Freeport, Maine) and freshman
Lukas Hammond (Windham, Maine) each turned in a strong half in net to propel the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-2 draw with the No. 16 Bates College Bobcats in a non-conference men's soccer game Tuesday night at Hannaford Field.
Ah Mshakheel and Lenge's goals against Bates are the first for the Huskies since the 2012 season in a 5-1 set back to the Bobcats.
The Records:
No. 16 Bates College (7-3-2)
Southern Maine (2-4-7)
Tonight's game marked the 34th meeting between the University of Southern Maine and Bates College. Bates leads the overall series 17-9-8; however, Southern Maine is 0-1-2 in the last three meetings, earning a 0-0 draw in 2023. Bates earned a 3-0 win at home in 2024.
How It Happened:
- Bates scored early taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from Luke Cunniffee in the fourth minute. Cunniffe tapped in his fifth goal of the season after receiving a well-placed ball in front of the goal from Hewitt Stevenson.
- Al Mshakeel tied things up for the Huskies earning a penalty shot. Winning the ball on the outside, and carrying it down the right side of the field, Al Mshakheel's service into the box was brought down by a Bates defender's hand. Stepping to the spot, Al Mshakheel scored his first goal of 2025 placing the ball to the right side of the net in the 17th.
- Firing 13 shots in the opening half, the Bobcats searched for a go-ahead goal after Al Mshakheel's equalizer, but Wagner kept Bates off the board making eight first-half saves and several outstanding clearances.
- Southern Maine leapt in front of Bates in the 51st minute. Junior Jack Brady (Jensen Beach, Fla.) controlled a loose ball outside of the box and took a couple of touches at the Bates' defense before setting Lenge up with a through ball into the area. Lenge hit a near post strike for his third goal of the season and a 2-1 Husky lead.
- Bates was able to get the equalizer in the 62nd as Antonio Mesa put home an assist from Chris Bianco for his fourth goal of the season. Bianco used a strong individual effort down the left side of the field nearly bringing the ball to the touch line before cutting it back and finding a wide-open Mesa for the marker.
The Goalkeepers:
B: Luca Balzano (0-0-1), 90:00, 2 GA, 2 Saves
SM:
Gabe Wagner, 45:00, 1 GA, 8 Saves;
Lukas Hammond (1-0-2), 45:00, 1 GA, 3 Saves
Inside The Stats:
- With the draw, Southern Maine ties the program record for draws in a season (7) set in 2022.
- Bates had a 27-10 advantage in shots, and an 11-2 lead in corner kicks.
Up Next:
The Huskies return to conference action on Saturday, October 18 (1:00 pm) hosting VTSU-Castleton, and then host UMPI in non-conference action on Sunday, October 19 (12:00 pm). Southern Maine then hosts UMass Boston on Wednesday (6:00 pm) in a Little East Contest.
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