PRESQUE Isle, Maine - Junior
Alex Graver (Freeport, Maine) had a pair of goals to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 3-1 win over the UMaine Presque Isle Owls in a non-conference men's soccer game Sunday afternoon at Park Family Field. Graver's goal, a penalty in the 11th minutes, proved to be the game-winner.
The Records:
Southern Maine (2-2-3)
UMaine Presque Isle (0-5-1)
Southern Maine is now 3-0-1 all-time against the Owls in the four-game series between the two schools. The Huskies defeated the Owls 5-0 in Gorham last season after resuming the series for the first time since 2021. It is the first time in the four-game series that the game has been played in Presque Isle.
How It Happened:
- The Huskies started off the game scoring early as freshman Mohammed Ahmed (Westbrook, Maine) score the first goal of his intercollegiate career in the fifth minute. Ahmed was helped on by an assist from freshman Alessandro Ferrero (Montreal, Quebec/Proctor Academy). Ferrero's point is the first of his Husky career.
- The Huskies continued to put the pressure on the UMPI defense, earning back-to-back corners before Graver made it a 2-0 game in the 11th minute. Graver has converted four penalty kicks for Southern Maine in his career.
- Southern Maine nearly had a third goal in the first hal as senior Pashalis Pashalidis offer hit off the cross bar in the 24th minutes and bids from Ahmed and senior Samir Sayed were each turned aside by UMPI goalkeeper Christo Veselinovic.
- Despite the Husky offensive pressure, UMPI was able to pull a goal back before halftime as Edmundo Cuervo-Alanis scored his first goal of the season. From there, neither team generated a threat and USM carried a 2-1 advantage into the break.
- Southern Maine held possession to start the second half and launched five shots towards goal before Graver secured the brace in the 76th minute. Graver scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season on an assist from Ahmed Al Mshakheel (Baghdad, Iraq/Biddeford). Al Mshakheel's assist is the second point in as many games for the Husky defender.
The Goalkeepers:
UMPI: Christo Veselinovic (0-1), 3 GA, 3 Saves
SM,
Owen Burns (1-0), 90:00, 1 GA, 0 Saves
Inside The Stats:
- Southern Maine led in shots 15-3, including a 10-0 advantage in the second half. The Huskies also had a 9-3 lead in corner kicks.
Up Next:
The Huskies return to Hannaford Field on Wednesday, September 23 (7:00 pm) against Thomas College, and then host LEC opponent Rhode Island College on Saturday, September 26 (1:00 pm) and UMaine Farmington on Wednesday, September 30 (7:00 pm).
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