GORHAM, Maine –  Sophomore Meghan Przybilla (St. Anthony, Minn./St. Anthony Village) had two goals and an assist while senior Kadynne Smith (Biddeford, Maine) scored the game-winner in the 82^nd minute as the University of Southern Maine Huskies bounced back from a shaky start to defeat the Rivier University Raiders 5-4 in their season-opening game Friday night at Hannaford Field.
 
Sophomore Makyla Magid (Golden, Colo./Lakewood) had a goal and an assists in the game for the Huskies, while freshman Lexi Morin (Brunswick, Maine) scored her first intercollegiate goal with the first goal of the game in the 18^th minute.
 
The Records:
Rivier University (0-1)
Southern Maine (1-0)
 
Today's game marks the first ever meeting between Rivier and Southern Maine. The Huskies now lead the series 1-0. Southern Maine has won its season opener the last nine seasons dating back to 2015.
 
 
How It Happened:

• Morin put the Huskies ahead 1-0 in the 18^th minute with a powerful strike to the far post, but Rivier roared back second later to tie the game up in the 19^th minute as Leah Morrier bounced on a poor clearance from the back.
• Magid scored her first goal of 2025 in the 25^th minute capitalizing on an assist from Przybilla, but the Raiders answered right back as Bailey Gatchell scored the first of her two goals in the gam in the 26^th.
• Przybilla gave USM a 3-2 lead before the half, scoring her first goal of the game – this time assisted by Magid in the 39^th.
• Rivier scored back-to-back goals in the 62^nd and 63^rd minute to go ahead 4-3.  Morrier scored again as did Gatchell looking for the upset.
• Trailing by a goal, USM put five shots towards frame over the next ten minutes.  Morin had a near miss hitting the far-post, while Rosario came up big on an attempt from senior Riley Reitchel in the 73^rd.
• Przybilla tied the game up in the 78^th finishing a lead pass from freshman Marie Benoit (Hallowell, Maine/Hall-Dale). Benoit put in a strong individual effort carrying the ball in the middle of the defense before slotting the ball to Przybilla for the equalizer.
• Moments later in the 82^nd, Smith came up with the heroics hitting a far post shot off of a feed from Reitchel for the win.

 
The Goalkeepers:
Rivier, Olivia Rosario (0-1), 90:00, 13 saves, 5 GA
SM, Halle Brown (1-0), 90:00, 2 saves, 4 GA
 
Inside The Stats:

•  The Huskies peppered Rivier with shots 36-9 (18-6 on frame), and had a 7-4 lead in corner kicks.
• Southern Maine hit a cross bar or post three times in the contest,

 
Up Next:
The Huskies host UMaine Fort Kent on Wednesday, September 3 (4:00 pm) at Hannaford Field, and then embark on a six-game road schedule, facing nearby UNE on Saturday, September 6 (2:00 pm).
           
 
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