Senior Kevin Bengle looks to attack for the Owls.
GORHAM, MAINE – Freshman Samuel Anderson scored his first intercollegiate goal in the 82nd minute to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 1-0 win over the Westfield State University Owls in the second game of the 2015 Husky Fall Classic Friday at Hannaford Field.
Westfield outshot USM, 14-7, but freshman goalkeeper Simon Hulbert held off the Owls with six saves before Anderson’s late goal broke the scoreless tie.
Westfield State drops its second game in as many chances to stand at 0-2. Southern Maine is now 1-0-1.
After an evenly played first half, both teams returned to the pitch locked in a 0-0 battle. The Huskies’ pressured early, but were unable to capitalize. Anderson had a chance on a corner in the 55th minute connecting on a service from sophomore Qutaiba Hassoon, but his header sailed high over the frame.
The Owls’ also had opportunities of their own, including a solid strike from sophomore Connor Townsend (Wilmington/ Wilmington, Mass.) in the 72nd minute, but Hulbert was up to the task making the save.
Southern Maine continued to push forward and had a near-goal called off in the 78th minute for an offside infraction before Anderson delivered the win. Following the offside call, USM won a ball in the middle of the field and freshman Jonathan Bobe sped away down the right side getting in behind the Owl defense. With Owls sophomore keeper Marc Patnaude (North Andover/ North Andover, Mass.) charging off of his line, Bobe sent a perfectly placed ball to a streaking Anderson for the goal and the Huskies’ win.
Patnaude made three saves in his first collegiate start for Westfield State. Hulbert earned the shutout for USM, including four second-half saves.
Westfield State will face Coast Guard at 1:30 p.m. in its final game of the 2015 Husky Fall Classic. Bridgewater State defeated Coast Guard, 2-0, in the opening game of the classic. – Courtesy of University of Southern Maine Sports Info
