Big First Half Propels UMF Over Southern Maine 4-1

GORHAM, Maine – Freshman Ashley Gleason (Scarborough, Maine) had a goal and an assist in a three-goal first half to lead the UMaine Farmington Beavers to a 4-1 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference women's soccer game Tuesday afternoon at Hannaford Field.

With the win, UMaine Farmington snaps a three-game losing streak to improve to 3-7-1. Southern Main suffers its fourth straight loss to fall to 3-7.

UMF struck early and led 2-0 before 10 minutes had expired in the game.  Freshman Lydia Roy (Waterville, Maine) tapped in a goal in the sixth minute on a Gleason assist to give the Beavers the 1-0 early advantage.  Gleason won the ball and carried it to the end line before playing the ball back to a wide-open Roy in front of the goal.  All alone in front of the net, Roy easily scored her fifth goal of the season.  Four minutes later, Gleason broke through the Huskies' defense for a one-on-one attempt scoring her sixth goal of the season.   The scoring took a break for a short while before the Beavers made in 3-0 in the 17th minute on a rocket of a shot from junior Katie Clark (Westbrook, Maine).  Clark launched a shot at the upper 90 of the net from distance past a diving attempt from USM goalkeeper Marissa Temple (Grafton, Mass.).  The score remained 3-0 through the half.

Southern Maine took a goal back in the 60th minute to cut its deficit to two goal.  Sophomore Ariana Davidson (Windham, Maine) knocked in her second goal of the season on a half-volley into the upper left corner off of an assist from sophomore Jessica Preble (Milo, Maine/Penquis Valley).  The Huskies continued to press for a second goal in the half with solid attempts from senior CC Pelletier (West Newfield, Maine/Massabesic), sophomore Emma Dennison (South Portland, Maine) and junior Katherine Hunziker (Portland, Maine/Cheverus), but were unable to beat UMF senior goalie Sam Hatch (Hebron, Maine/Oxford Hills).  The Beavers sealed the win in the 89th minute when Bridget Humphrey converted a penalty kick following a Huskies' foul in the box for the 4-1 final.

Hatch earned the win in goal for UMF making six saves.  Temple made five saves in the loss.   UMF held a 17-11 advantage in shots, while both teams were even in corner kicks at five a piece.

Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it hosts Little East Conference opponent UMass Dartmouth.  UMaine Farmington hosts Castleton State in a NAC game on Saturday (12:30 p.m.).