Mull Hat Trick Highlights USM’s 8-1 Win Over Dean College

Jessica Preble's second goal of the game was the game-winner for Southern Maine

Recap, photo courtesy of University of Southern Maine

 

GORHAM, Maine –  Sophomore Olivia Mull (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) notched her first career hat trick and junior Jessica Preble (Milo, Maine/Penquis Valley) and sophomore Ally Little (Stoneham, Mass.) each scored to goals as the University of Southern Maine Huskies rolled the Dean College Bulldogs 8-1 in a non-conference women's soccer game Monday afternoon at Hannaford Field.

 

            Southern Maine improves to 4-7 with the win and stops a five-game skid.  Dean College falls to 2-9 with the loss.

            Despite dominating possession early and pressuring the Bulldog defense, Southern Maine did not break through for its first goal of the game until the 14th minute when Preble took a perfectly threaded through ball from senior Analies Ross-Dyjak (Orono, Maine), and broke free in the box for a 1-0 lead.  USM's lead was short-lived however as freshman Megan Moore (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenedehowa) broke through the Huskies' defense on the restart and scored her first goal of the season just 15 seconds after Preble's goal.

            The score remained knotted at one from the next ten minutes before Preble tallied her fifth goal of the season and second goal of the game in the 25th minute.  USM took a 3-1 lead into the halftime break as Little rocketed in her third goal of the season off of an assist from junior Dayna Staffiere (Merrimack, N.H.) in the 38th minute.

            Southern Maine continued to dominate possession in the second half and Little tallied her second goal of the game in the 55th minute to make it 4-1. This time Little struck for the top of the nets after a feed from sophomore Sarah Michaud (Candia, N.H./Manchester Central).  With a 4-1 lead in hand, Mull hustled her way to three goals in the 66th, 73rd and 83rd minute, collecting goals off of deflected saves and loose balls in the box.  Freshman Emma Cost (Waterboro, Maine/Massabesic) earned her first goal of her career in the 87th minute to close out the scoring.

            Southern Maine outshot Dean 43-2,with 24 shots on goal.  Dean goalkeeper freshman Macy Parisee (East Freetown, Mass./Apponequet) had a busy day in net, turning in an outstanding performance making 16 saves. Sophomore Taylor Canastra (Fairhaven, Mass.) made one save in the win.

            Southern Maine returns to Little East Conference action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it hosts Plymouth State University.  Dean remains on the road and will face Mitchell College on Wednesday (3:00 p.m.).