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SEASON COMPLETED
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Friday, April 6, 2007
Adam Bial Selected to Play in NEISL All-Star Game
GORHAM, Maine -- University of Southern Maine senior men's soccer player
Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) has been selected to play in the 2007
New England Intercollegiate Soccer League Senior All-Star Game on April 28 (4:00
p.m.) at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.
Bial is the second USM player in the past three years to be selected to
play in the game which features the top senior players from Division I, II and
III schools from throughout the six-state New England region. Bial joins former
teammate Zach Rossignol among the recent USM players selected to play in the
game. Rossignol played in the 2005 NEISL All-Star game.
"Adam has had an outstanding career here at Southern Maine," commented
third-year head coach Mike Keller. "He improved every year as a player. His
acceptance of move to midfield this past season allowed us to put the best 11
players on the field. His presence and experience in the midfield did not
always translate into individual statistics, but was a key to us having a
winning season. He is very deserving of this opportunity and honor."
During his four-year career at USM, Bial played in 70 matches scoring 17
goals and passing off 11 assists for 45 points. He had seven game-winning goals
among his 17 markers.
A second team All-Little East Conference selection in 2005, Bial shifted
from a forward position back into midfield for the 2006 season. He played in 16
matches with one goal, the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Salem State
College, and three assists.
Twice named a co-captain, Bial's best scoring season came in 2004 when he
scored nine goals, including three game winners, and had three assists for 21
points to help the Huskies post an 11-5-3 overall record and earn a berth in the
ECAC Division III New England Tournament.
Southern Maine finished the 2006 campaign with a 10-9-0 overall mark and a
3-4-0 record in the Little East Conference.
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Monday, December 4, 2006
2006 NSCAA/adidas
NCAA Division III Men
All-New England Region
First Team
Pos. Name Year School
GK Zach Toth Sr. Middlebury
D Jared Ashe Sr. Wesleyan
D Tim Larocca Sr. Western New England
D Dana Leary Sr. Williams
M Tommy Day Sr. Williams
M Pat Huffer Sr. Williams
M Yuta Kizaki So. Salem State
F Nick Figuireido Jr. Bowdoin
F Casey Ftorek So. Middlebury
F Timothy Winn* So. Babson
F Mike Wohl Sr. Amherst
Second Team
Pos. Name Year School
GK Chris Necklas Jr. Babson
D Brendan Egan Jr. Bowdoin
D Ben Hamlin So. Wentworth
D Gregg Robinson Sr. Babson
M Peter Glidden Sr. Wesleyan
M Chris Hartman Jr. Wentworth
M Eric Scott Sr. Keene State
F Antoine Bell Jr. Roger Williams
F Alex Horne So. Keene State
F Dan Lane* So. Wheaton
F Matt Nevin So. Wesleyan
Third Team
Pos. Name Year School
GK Kevin Deegan** Sr. Roger Williams
D Bryan Biederman Sr. Plymouth State
D Grayson Holland So. Amherst
D David Lee Sr. Middlebury
D Nick Tewell* Sr. Salve Regina
M James Palumbo Jr. New England College
M Chris Schwartz Jr. Babson
M Romeo Zego So. Massachusetts-Boston
F Andrew Angus Fr. Salem State
F Sinisa Bajic So. Southern Maine
F Ben Premo So. Brandeis
F Bradley Fidler Sr. Western Connecticut
Fourth Team
Pos. Name Year School
GK Matt Talbot Sr. Clark
D Rob Hensinger Sr. Western New England
D Rich Reddington Sr. Roger Williams
D Joel Reynolds Jr. Johnson & Wales
D Scott Sniker Sr. Coast Guard Academy
M Brendan Cavanaugh Sr. Roger Williams
M Chris Croteau Sr. Endicott
M Benjamin Gilde So. Worcester Polytech
M Duane Petz Jr. Bates
F Jimmy Hernandez Jr. Rhode Island College
F Brett Olsen Sr. Williams
F Brian Sousa Jr. Johnson & Wales
* - indicates previous selection
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Tuesday, November 7, 2006
Sinisa Bajic Named LEC Offensive Player of the Year
Three Huskies Earn Spots on All-Conference Teams
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland
HS) of the University of Southern Maine men's soccer team has been named the
Offensive Player of the Year in the Little East Conference for the 2006 season
following voting by the head coaches, it was announced Tuesday afternoon.
In addition to being named the Offensive Player of the Year, Bajic also
earned a spot on the All-Conference first team. Sophomores Greg Cox (Brookline,
Mass./Hebron Academy) and Colin Reilly (Evergreen, Col.) were named to the All-
Conference second team.
Bajic, the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year and a second team All-
Conference pick in 2005, is the first USM player to receive an LEC Player of the
Year award. The Little East Conference, which began play in men's soccer in
1989, named a single Player of the Year from 1989 through the 2001 season. The
conference has named separate Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year since
2002.
The leading scorer in the LEC this season, Bajic tallied 15 goals and
dished out five assists in 17 matches for 35 points. He leads the conference in
total points, goals scored and points per match (2.06 per game), and is second
in game-winning goals (4).
"(Bajic) came to play whenever we needed a goal," commented head coach Mike
Keller. "He's the player up front that other teams worried about. Coming off a
Rookie of the Year season (in 2005), he was a marked man, but he came through in
the clutch for us. He is as good a player as I have ever had."
In two seasons with the Huskies, Bajic has scored 27 goals and passed out
eight assists for 62 points. He ranks seventh on the all-time scoring list.
Cox, named to the All-Conference team for the first time, was the Huskies'
second leading scorer this season. A creative midfielder, Cox had six goals,
including two game-winning goals, and four assists for 16 points.
"(Cox) controlled the flow most of the time for us in midfield, and that
helped pave the way for many of our scoring opportunities. He made a big step
forward in his overall play this season," said Keller.
A mainstay on the back line for the past two seasons, Reilly, also a first-
time All-LEC pick, had one goal and an assist in 19 matches this season.
"(Reilly) solidified our back line and was an offensive threat when he came
forward out of the back, particularly on corner kicks and set pieces around the
box.
"It's great for our program to have three sophomores on the All-Conference
first and second teams," added Keller.
Southern Maine finished the season 10-9-0 overall and in sixth place in the
conference with a 3-4-0 mark.
2006 Little East Conference Men's Soccer Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
Sinisa Bajic, Sophomore, Forward, University of Southern Maine
Defensive Player of the Year
Jay Barney, Junior, Goalie, Eastern Connecticut State University
Rookie of the Year
Max Fantl, Freshman, Forward, Eastern Connecticut State University
Coach of the Year
Myles Berry, University of Massachusetts Boston
First Team All-Conference
Name Position Class Institution
Sinisa Bajic Forward Sophomore Southern Maine
John DiPietro Forward Sophomore UMass Boston
Alex Horne Forward Sophomore Keene State
Elvis Perndoj Midfield Senior Eastern Connecticut
Eric Scott Midfield Senior Keene State
Keith Simone Midfield Senior Western Connecticut
Romeo Zeqo Midfield Sophomore UMass Boston
Bryan Biederman Back Senior Plymouth State
Pat Kozloski Back Senior Eastern Connecticut
James Nigrelli Back Junior Rhode Island College
Mike Reda Back Senior UMass Boston
Jay Barney Goalkeeper Junior Eastern Connecticut
Second Team All-Conference
Name Position Class Institution
Max Fantl Forward Freshman Eastern Connecticut
Bradley Fidler Forward Freshman Western Connecticut
Jimmy Hernandez Forward Freshman Rhode Island College
Greg Cox Midfield Sophomore Southern Maine
Mike Laudano Midfield Sophomore Western Connecticut
Julian Montoya Midfield Freshman Rhode Island College
Keith Whittemore Midfield Senior Plymouth State
Brendan Flynn Back Junior Western Connecticut
Colin Reilly Back Sophomore Southern Maine
Nick Tavares Back Senior Rhode Island College
Dan Tomas Back Junior Western Connecticut
Paul Maniscalco Goalkeeper Sophomore UMass Boston
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Monday, October 30, 2006
Adam Bial Named LEC Offensive Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior midfielder Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-
Wenham) of the University of Southern Maine men's soccer team has been named the
Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the week of October 23-
29. The announcement was made Monday afternoon by the conference office.
In two USM wins last week, Bial contributed a goal and two assists for a
four-point week. Bial is the third USM player to receive a weekly LEC award
this season, joining sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic [Belgrade, Serbia/Portland
(Maine) HS] and freshman forward Josh Amoroso (Gorham, Maine/Waynfleet) as
honorees. Bajic was the Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago and Amoroso
was picked as the Rookie of the Week for the week of September 11-17.
In the Huskies' match against regionally ranked Salem State College, Bial
scored the only goal of the match in the 87th minute to give the Huskies a 1-0
win. Three days later, Bial had a pair of assists, including one on the game-
winning goal, to help the Huskies down LEC rival Western Connecticut State
University 3-1.
Bial finished the regular season appearing in 18 matches, scoring one goal
and picking up three assists for five points. In 70 career games, the 5-foot-9
midfielder has scored 17 goals, including seven game-winning goals, and been
credited with 11 assists for 45 points. He is tied for 12th place on the all-
time assists list, and in 17th place on the all-time points list.
Southern Maine, which still has a chance at the Eastern College Athletic
Conference (ECAC) tournament berth, finished the regular season 10-9-0 overall
and 3-4-0 in the Little East Conference. The ECAC tournament field will be
announced next Monday (November 6).
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Saturday, October 28, 2006
Bajic Scores Two, USM Downs Western Connecticut 3-1
YARMOUTH, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic [Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland (Maine) HS] scored a pair of goals to lead the University of
Southern Maine Huskies to a 3-1 victory over the Western Connecticut State
University Colonials in a Little East Conference men's soccer match Saturday
afternoon at Yarmouth (Maine) High School.
The win was the second straight for the Huskies and lifted their record to
10-9-0 overall and 3-4-0 in the conference. The Colonials dropped to 7-8-2
overall and 2-4-1 in the conference. The match was the regular season finale
for both sides. Neither team will advance to next week's four-team Little East
Conference tournament.
The match, originally scheduled for USM's Gorham-campus field, was moved to
Yarmouth High School's turf field because of the torrential rains and wind that
made the USM field unplayable.
Bajic took advantage of the wind in 26th minute curling a wind-blown corner
kick into the far side of the Colonials' goal. Each team was credited with
seven shots in the opening 45 minutes.
Freshman Golf Pengthong [Nongkhai, Thailand/Winslow (Maine) HS] scored what
proved to be the game-winning goal in the 65th minute as he received a pass off
the head of senior Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham), turned and calmly
slotted home an eight-yard shot.
Bajic scored his second goal 29 seconds later taking a pass from Bial and
beating WC sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Michalowski (Bristol, Conn./Bristol East)
with a low, right-footed shot to the right corner.
The Colonials, trying to take advantage of the wind in the second half, got
on the board in the 75th minute when freshman Shane Edgley's (Oakdale,
Conn./Montville) long-range shot eluded USM senior goalie Chris Willard
(Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill).
Willard finished the match with eight saves, six coming in the second half.
Michalowski made one save. Western Connecticut enjoyed a 22-9 advantage in
shots during the match, including a 15-2 margin in the second half.
At Yarmouth, Maine 1 2 Final
Western Connecticut (7-8-2; 2-4-1) 0 1 1
Southern Maine (10-9-0; 3-4-0) 1 2 3
Scoring: 1. SM, Sinisa Bajic (unassisted) 25:01; 2. SM, Golf Pengthong (Adam
Bial) 64:42; 3. SM, Bajic (Bial) 65:11; 4. WC, Shane Edgley (unassisted)
74:28.
Goalies: WC, Daniel Michalowski (1 save) SM, Chris Willard (8 saves)
Shots: WC, 22 SM, 9
Corner Kicks: WC, 5 SM, 4
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Thursday, October 26, 2006
USM-Western Conn. Game Moved to Yarmouth HS
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Athletics Department
announced today that this Saturday's men's soccer match between the Huskies and
Western Connecticut State University will be played at Yarmouth High School due
to field conditions at USM's Gorham campus field and impending weather concerns.
Game time is 12:00 p.m.
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Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bial, Willard Lead Southern Maine Past Salem State 1-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior captains Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-
Wenham) and Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) played key roles for
the University of Southern Maine as the Huskies defeated the Salem State College
Vikings 1-0 in a non-conference men's soccer match Wednesday afternoon at the
USM Soccer Field.
The win was the fourth in the last five matches for the Huskies, and
leveled their overall record at 9-9-0. The loss dropped the Vikings to 12-4-0
overall and snapped their nine-match winning streak.
Bial produced the lone goal of the match in the 87th minute as he received
a long pass from junior Ben Slagle (Scarborough, Maine) just outside the 18-yard
area, took one touch and launched a shot past Salem State sophomore goalkeeper
Pawel Brzyczy (Krakow, Poland). The goal was the first of the season for Bial.
Willard, who was credited with seven saves in the match, came up with a big
stop on the Vikings' Leonard Mlati (Lowell, Mass.) less than two minutes before
Bial's goal to keep the match scoreless. Mlati went in on a breakaway, but his
blast from 12 yards out was stopped by Willard who had come out to cut down the
angle.
Freshman Cesar Mancebo (Salem, Mass.) and Brzyczy split the goaltending
chores for the Vikings. Mancebo had five saves in the first half when Southern
Maine had 12 of its 14 shots. Brzyczy did not make a save in the second half.
Salem State finished the match with a 19-14 advantage in shots, including a
14-2 edge in the second half. Each side had five corner kicks.
Southern Maine will close out the regular season on Saturday (1:00 p.m.)
hosting Little East Conference foe Western Connecticut State University. Salem
State travels to MASCAC rival Westfield State on Saturday (3:00 p.m.)
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
Salem State (12-4-0) 0 0 0
Southern Maine (9-9-0) 0 1 1
Scoring: 1. SM, Adam Bial (Ben Slagle) 86:46.
Goalies: SS, Cesar Mancebo (45:00, 5 saves), Pawel Brzyczy (45:00, 0 saves)
SM, Chris Willard (7 saves)
Shots: SS, 19 SM, 14
Corner Kicks: SS, 5 SM, 5
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Saturday, October 21, 2006
(Courtesy of Eastern Connecticut Sports Information)
Eastern Conn. Blanks Southern Maine 3-0
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Junior goalkeeper Jay Barney (Mansfield, Conn.)
recorded his third shutout of the University of Southern Maine in as many career
starts and the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team pulled
away for a 3-0 Little East Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Thomas
Nevers Field.
Eastern Connecticut (6-5-5, 2-1-3 little east) entered play sharing fifth
place in the eight-team conference with Southern Maine and UMass Boston, one
point behind Western Connecticut State University. The Warriors are 6-2-3 in
their last 11 matches since an 0-3-2 start.
Forward Shane Laughran (Coventry, Conn.) scored his second goal of the year
- both are game-winners - midway through the first half and Eastern broke the
game open by scoring twice in the second half on goals by players off the bench.
Defender Derek Miles (Newtown, Conn.) made it 2-0 when he nailed a 20-yard free
kick over the wall and under the crossbar at the left post, and forward Rukevwe
Ehwarieme (Norwich, Conn.) scored with a 15-years shot inside the right post
with just over three minutes left. It was the first goals of the season for both
players.
Laughran's game-winning goal was set up by defender Kyle Bedini
(Manchester, Conn.), who sent a long ball from the Eastern defensive end on a
couple of hops into the Southern Maine 18-yard box. Laughran and Southern Maine
keeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) reached the ball at the
same time, but Laughran got a foot on it as he lost his balance and dribbled a
ground ball into the open net, just inside the left post.
Southern Maine (8-9-0; 2-4-0), which had a three-game winning streak
snapped, had several opportunities to score the first goal of the game, two
chances from conference scoring leader Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland
HS) in the first 17 minutes. The first drive from the right of the box carried
just wide of the left post, and the second from the left side of the box was
smothered by Barney.
Eastern Conn. hosts Massachusetts College on Wednesday (October 25) at 3:00
p.m. in its final regular-season home match. Southern Maine will host Salem
State College on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
At Willimantic, Conn. 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (8-9-0, 2-4-0) 0 0 0
Eastern Conn. (6-5-5, 2-1-3) 1 2 3
Scoring: 1. EC, Shane Laughran (Kyle Bedini) 21:51; 2. EC, Derek Miles
(unassisted) 64:16; 3. EC, Rukevwe Ehwarieme (Richard Bruneau) 86:43.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (8 saves) EC, Jay Barney (7 saves)
Shots: SM, 10 EC, 21
Corner Kicks: SM, 4 EC, 4
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Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Southern Maine Downs Thomas 6-2
WATERVILLE, Maine -- Six different players scored as the visiting
University of Southern Maine Huskies scored a season-high six goals en route to
a 6-2 victory over the Thomas College Terriers in a non-conference men’s soccer
match Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The win was the third straight for the Huskies and leveled their overall
season mark at 8-8-0. The Terriers remain winless on the season dropping to
0-14-1.
Senior Cassidy Neal (Walpole, N.H./Fall Mountain) scored an unassisted goal
in the 13th minute to give the Huskies an early 1-0 lead. Freshman Gabbe Labbe
(Eliot, Maine/Marshwood) found the net in the 24th minute, and sophomore Sinisa
Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland HS) converted a penalty kick in the 28 minute
to make it 3-0.
Tim Costa got the Terriers in the board in the 37th minute, but the Huskies
countered with a goal from junior Dewar Wilson (New Haven/James Hillhouse) in
the 40th minute to take a 4-1 lead into the break.
Freshman Josh Amoroso (Gorham, Maine/Waynfleet) and sophomore Colin Reilly
(Evergreen, Col.) added second half goals to increase the Huskies’ advantage to
6-1 before Costa scored his second goal of the match in the 89th minute.
Senior Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) and freshman Steve
May (Brunswick, Maine) split the goalkeeping chores for the Huskies. Each
played a half and made one save. Junior Russell Beckwith (North Berwick,
Maine/Noble) had five saves for the Terriers.
Southern Maine hits the road Saturday (1:00 p.m.) to take on Eastern
Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference match. Thomas will
seek it first win of the season against the University of Maine at Farmington in
a North Atlantic Conference match on Saturday (3:15 p.m.) at Farmington.
At Waterville, Maine 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (8-8-0) 4 2 6
Thomas (0-14-1) 1 1 2
Scoring: 1. SM, Cassidy Neal (unassisted) 12:20; 2. SM, Gabbe Labbe (Sinisa
Bajic, Ben Slagle) 23:22; 3. SM, Bajic (penalty kick) 27:38; 4. T, Tim Costa
(Brad Wagner-Lefevre) 36:29; 5. SM, Dewar Wilson (Burke Hazard) 39:53; 6. SM,
Josh Amoroso (Greg Cox) 81:00; 7. SM, Colin Reilly (Josh Jameson) 81:42; 8. T,
Costa (unassisted) 88:10.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (45:00, 1 save), Steve May (45:00, 1 save)
T, Russell Beckwith (5 saves)
Shots: SM, 22 T, 5
Corner Kicks: SM, 3 T, 2
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Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Sinisa Bajic Named LEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland HS) of the University of Southern Maine men's soccer team has
been named the Little East Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the
week of October 9-15. The announcement was made by the conference office Monday
afternoon.
In addition, it was announced Tuesday afternoon that Bajic has been named
the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III
Offensive Player of the Week.
Bajic, the LEC Rookie of the Year and a second team all-conference
selection in 2005, shared the weekly honor with senior midfielder Keith Simone
of Western Connecticut State University.
In two matches last week, Bajic scored all six Southern Maine goals to help
the Huskies to a pair of wins Bajic had both goals in USM's 2-0 victory on the
road against the University of New England last Wednesday (October 11).
He followed that performance with a career-best four-goal effort against
the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Saturday. He scored twice in the
first half to stake the Huskies to a 2-0 lead, then twice within a 37-second
span in the second half (with USM playing a man down) to erase a 3-2 deficit and
give the Huskies a 4-3 win.
Bajic, the Huskies' leading scorer with 27 points, raised his season total
to 12 goals and moved into eighth place on the school's all-time goal scoring
list (24 goals).
Southern Maine, 7-8-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the Little East Conference,
returns to action Wednesday (October 18) afternoon with a road match at Thomas
College. USM faces a critical LEC road match this Saturday at Eastern
Connecticut State University.
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Saturday, October 14, 2006
Bajic Scores Four to Give USM 4-3 Win over UMass Dartmouth
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland HS) scored four goals to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 4-3 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs
in a Little East Conference men’s soccer match Saturday afternoon at the USM
Soccer Field.
The win was the second straight for the Huskies who improve to 7-8-0
overall and 2-3-0 in the conference. The Corsairs slipped to 5-6-1 overall and
0-4-1 in the conference.
Bajic gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead in the first 16 minutes, scoring in the
fifth minute off a through pass from senior Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-
Wenham) and in the 16th minute off a set up from junior Eddie Weddington
(Augusta, Maine/Cony).
The lead was short-lived as the Corsairs came back to score three
consecutive goals to take a 3-2 advantage. Freshman Byron Andrade (Brockton,
Mass.) one-timed a cross from junior Lee Soares (Dartmouth, Mass.), the first of
three assists for Soares, in the 18th minute, and freshman Sebastian Cordoba
(Marlborough, Mass.) duplicated the play in the 21st minute to tie the match.
Sophomore Matthew Correia (Dracut, Mass.) spun a chip over USM senior goalkeeper
Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) in the 34th minute to give the
Corsairs the lead.
Playing a man down, the Huskies regrouped at halftime and regained the lead
when Bajic scored twice in a span of 37 seconds early in the second half.
Bajic, the LEC Rookie of the Year last season, tied the match when his drive
found its way through the legs of Corsair junior goalkeeper Adam Rolfe
(Southwick, Mass.) at 56:29. His fourth goal of the match, redirecting a low-
driven cross from sophomore Greg Cox (Brookline, Mass./Hebron Academy), came at
57:06.
Willard and the Huskies’ defense were able to protect the lead over the
final 33 minutes to secure the win. Willard finished with three saves. Rolfe
had two saves for the Corsairs.
Bajic now has 12 goals on the season, and 24 in his career, moving him into
eighth place on the Huskies all-time career list.
Southern Maine travels to Thomas College on Wednesday (October 18) for a
non-conference match. UMass Dartmouth travels to Tufts University on Tuesday.
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
UMass Dartmouth (5-6-1; 0-4-1) 3 0 3
Southern Maine (7-8-0; 2-3-0) 2 2 4
Scoring: 1. SM, Sinisa Bajic (Adam Bial) 4:54; 2. SM, Bajic (Eddie Weddington)
15:15; 3. UMD, Byron Andrade (Lee Soares) 17:14; 4. UMD, Sebastian Cordoba
(Soares) 20:44; 5. UMD, Matthew Correia (Soares) 33:43: 6. Bajic (unassisted)
56:29; 7. SM, Bajic (Greg Cox) 57:06.
Goalies: UMD, Adam Rolfe (2 saves) SM, Chris Willard (3 saves)
Shots: UMD, 17 SM, 8
Corner Kicks: UMD, 4 SM, 3
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Wednesday, October 11, 2006
(Courtesy of UNE Sports Information)
Bajic's Two Goals Leads Southern Maine to 2-0 Shutout of UNE
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland HS) used the assistance of junior Eddie Weddington (Augusta,
Maine/Cony) to score a pair of goals to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 2-0 non-conference shutout win over the University of New England
Nor'easters Wednesday afternoon in Biddeford.
With the win Southern Maine improved its overall record to 6-8-0. The
Nor'easters slipped to 2-8-2.
Bajic netted the first of his two goals in the 21st minute when he
collected a cross from Weddington and deposited a low shot into the back of the
net to give the Huskies the only scoring they would need. Southern Maine
continued to apply intense pressure the remainder of the half, but settle for a
1-0 lead at intermission.
Southern Maine added an insurance goal in the 58th minutes when Weddington
once again set up Bajic, who knocked home his team-leading eighth goal of the
season. For the match the Huskies held a 16-6 advantage in shots.
Senior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) turned
away three Nor'easter attempts to earn his fourth shutout of the season. UNE
freshman goalkeeper Derek Poulin (Scarborough, Maine) made eight saves in the
loss.
Southern Maine hosts the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in a Little East
Conference game on Saturday (October 14) at 2:30 p.m. for its next contest. The
University of New England travels to Endicott College on the same date for a
Commonwealth Coast Conference match-up at 7:00 p.m.
At Biddeford, Maine 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (6-8) 1 1 2
Univ. of New England (2-8-2) 0 0 0
Scoring: 1. SM, Sinisa Bajic (Eddie Weddington) 20:23; 2. SM, Bajic
(Weddington) 57:41
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (3 saves) UNE, Derek Poulin (9 saves)
Shots: SM, 16 UNE, 6
Corner Kicks: SM, 4 UNE, 3
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Sunday, October 8, 2006
(Courtesy of Plymouth State Sports Information)
Plymouth State Rallies to Down Southern Maine in OT
PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- Senior Felix Rosen (Stockholm, Sweden) scored two
second-half goals and junior Takeru Tanikawa (Shizuoka, Japan) added the game-
winner 3:57 into overtime Sunday afternoon as the Plymouth State University
Panthers overcame a 2-0 deficit to celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a 3-2
victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies at Panther Field.
The Panthers have won five games in a row, including three straight in OT,
to improve to 8-1-1 overall and 4-0-0 in the LEC. The match was the Panthers’
sixth overtime encounter in 10 games this season, during which PSU has gone
5-0-1, including five straight victories. USM has dropped six of its last seven
to fall to 5-8-0 overall and 1-3-0 in conference play.
The upset-minded Huskies came out strong in the first half, dominating play
and putting pressure on the PSU defense, which hadn’t let up a goal in its
previous three LEC games. Junior Eddie Weddington (Augusta, Maine) broke
through in the 24th minute for the Huskies, knocking one past PSU sophomore
keeper Tyler Shute (Deerfield, N.H.) after a nice through-pass from senior
Cassidy Neal (Walpole, N.H.). USM had a 5-2 advantage in shots in the first
half, but had to settle for the 1-0 lead.
The visitors came out strong after the break, and went up 2-0 four minutes
into the second half on a goal by sophomore Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia).
Two minutes later, sophomore Semir Mehmedovic (Franklin, N.H.) fed Rosen
with a nice pass along the left goal line, and Rosen deflected it home to cut
the margin in half. PSU carried the play most of the second half, and tied the
score at 2-2 in the 78th minute, with Mehmedovic again feeding Rosen with a nice
crossing pass and Rosen finishing off the play.
That set up the extra session where Tanikawa won it for the Panthers with
an assist from sophomore George Delano (Kingston, N.H.). It was Tanikawa’s
third goal of the season, all three overtime game-winners.
The game also featured pre-game and halftime ceremonies honoring the 50th
season of men’s soccer in Plymouth. The first game was 50 years ago, when
Plymouth Teachers College met Gorham Teachers College (now USM), with Plymouth
winning, 2-1. Players and coaches from that first game were on hand for the
ceremonies.
Both teams return to action with non-conference road games on Wednesday.
PSU, ranked 10th in New England, visits Tufts and USM travels to the University
of New England.
At Plymouth, N.H. 1 2 OT Final
Southern Maine (5-8-0; 1-3-0) 1 1 0 2
Plymouth State (8-1-1; 4-0-0) 0 2 1 3
Scoring: 1. SM, Eddie Weddington (Cassidy Neal) 23:46; 2. SM, Sinisa Bajic
(unassisted) 49:16; 3. PS, Felix Rosen (Semir Mehmedovic) 51:29; 4. PS, Rosen
(Mehmedovic) 77:13; 5. PS, Takeru Tanikawa (George Delano) 93:57.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (3 saves) PS, Tyler Shute (3 saves)
Shots: SM, 8 PS, 13
Corner Kicks: SM, 4 PS, 3
################################################################################
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
(Courtesy of Bates College Sports Information)
Bates Downs Southern Maine, 4-0
LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates College Bobcats men's soccer team scored a 4-0
non-league victory over the visiting University of Southern Maine Huskies
Tuesday afternoon at Russell Street Field, outshooting the Huskies 31-5 and
holding them without a shot in the second half.
Junior midfielder Duane Pelz (Boulder, Colo.) scored the game's first goal
and assisted on two others to lead the offense for Bates (5-3, 2-3 NESCAC).
Junior Rob Munro (Walpole, Mass.) made one save in goal for the Bobcats to earn
the shutout.
Pelz scored in the 15th minute with a low, hard shot off a pass from junior
Brent Morin (Hanover, N.H.), which beat Southern Maine senior goalie Chris
Willard (Willimantic, Conn.) into the far side of the net. Eight minutes later,
Morin converted a Pelz assist from close range, for his first goal of the
season.
Despite an 18-5 edge in shots in the first half, and a 13-0 edge in the
second half, Bates didn't score again until five minutes remained, when Pelz
juked a defender along the goal line and fed perfectly to first-year Ben Lajoie
(Hopkinton, N.H.) for the close-range conversion. Sophomore midfielder Andrew
Wyman (Sanbornton, N.H.) added Bates' fourth goal in the 88th minute, knocking
in a rebounded save off a corner kick.
Willard had two saves for the Huskies (5-7), who play at Plymouth State
University in a Little East matchup Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Bates will host Williams in a NESCAC game Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
At Lewiston, Maine 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (5-7-0) 0 0 0
Bates (5-3-0) 2 2 4
Scoring: 1. B, Duane Pelz (Brent Morin) 14:49; 2. B, Morin (Pelz) 22:30;
3. B, Benjamin Lajoie (Pelz) 85:00; 4. B, Andrew Wyman (unassisted) 87:20
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (2 saves) B, Rob Munro (1 save)
Shots: SM, 5 B, 31
Corner Kicks: SM, 1 B, 10
################################################################################
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Bajic, Willard Lead Huskies Past UMass Boston 2-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland HS) scored two first half goals and senior goalkeeper Chris
Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) made nine saves to lead the University
of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-0 victory over the University of Massachusetts
Boston Beacons in a Little East Conference men's soccer match Saturday afternoon
at the USM Soccer Field.
The win snapped the Huskies' four-match losing skid and was their first
victory in conference play this season. The Huskies are 5-6-0 overall and 1-2-0
in the conference. The loss was second straight for the Beacons who fall to 6-
4-0 overall and 1-2-0 in the conference.
Bajic, last year's LEC Rookie of the Year, scored his first goal by heading
a low driven cross from junior Ben Slagle (Scarborough, Maine/Bridgton Academy)
into the bottom right corner of the net in the 32nd minute. Bajic scored his
second goal in the 40th minute when his flick from the end line over the on
rushing UMB goalkeeper, sophomore Paul Maniscalco (Hanover, Mass.), deflected
off Maniscalco's hand and went into the net.
Willard picked up his third shutout of the season stopping three shots in
the first half and six more in the second when the Beacons had a 9-3 advantage
in shots. Maniscalco was credited with one save.
Southern Maine looks to make two in a row on Tuesday (4:00 p.m.) when it
travels to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. UMass Boston will travel to Clark
University for a match Wednesday evening (6:00 p.m.).
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
UMass Boston (6-4-0; 1-2-0) 0 0 0
Southern Maine (5-6-0; 1-2-0) 2 0 2
Scoring: 1. SM, Sinisa Bajic (Ben Slagle) 31:57; 2. SM, Bajic (unassisted)
39:38.
Goalies: UMB, Paul Maniscalco (1 save) SM, Chris Willard (9 saves)
Shots: UMB, 17 SM, 11
Corner Kicks: UMB, 6 SM, 1
################################################################################
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Colby Downs Southern Maine 1-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Jamie Waters (Andover, Mass./Brooks School)
scored the lone goal of the match in the 23rd minute to give the Colby College
Mules a 1-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-
conference men's soccer match Wednesday afternoon at the USM Soccer Field.
The win was the second straight for the Mules who improved to 2-1-2
overall. The Huskies dropped their fourth straight match to fall to 4-6-0
overall.
Waters one-timed a rolling ball from just outside the 18-yard area into the
left side of the net. The goal was Waters' first of the season.
Senior goalkeeper Josh Kahane (Newton, Mass./Newton North) made three saves
in the Colby goal to earn his second shutout of the season. USM senior goalie
Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) was credited with five saves.
The Mules enjoyed a 15-6 advantage in shots and an 8-0 margin in corner kicks.
Southern Maine will try to break its losing skid on Saturday (1:00 p.m.)
when it hosts the University of Massachusetts Boston in a Little East Conference
match. Colby will be at home on Saturday (1:30 p.m.) entertaining Middlebury
College.
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
Colby (2-1-2) 1 0 1
Southern Maine (4-6-0) 0 0 0
Scoring: 1. C, Jamie Waters (unassisted) 22:59.
Goalies: C, Josh Kahane (3 saves) SM, Chris Willard (5 saves)
Shots: C, 15 SM, 6
Corner Kicks: C, 8 SM, 0
################################################################################
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Nationally-Ranked Keene State Edges Southern Maine 2-1
KEENE, N.H. -- Eric Scott's (West Springfield, Mass.) goal at the 71:07
mark of the second half was the difference in Keene State College's 2-1 victory
over the University of Southern Maine in Little East Conference men's soccer
action at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Ranked 14th nationally and second in the region, Keene State improves to
7-1-0 overall and 2-0-0 in the conference. Southern Maine, which dropped its
third straight match, falls to 4-5-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the LEC.
Settling the ball, Scott blasted a shot in the far corner of the net from
24-yards out to put KSC ahead 2-1 with less than 19 minutes to play in
regulation. It was his fourth goal of the season.
Ralph Rocco (Groton, Mass.) gave Keene State an early 1-0 lead when he
finished off a through pass from Jeremy Kelsey (Gilford, N.H.) at the 4:21 mark.
KSC had several opportunities to extend its lead, but Husky senior goalie
Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) made saves on a shots by Alex
Horne (Harvard, Mass.) and Pelse Mesa (Manchester, N.H.), and Eric Scott (West
Springfield, Mass.) put a drive over the cross bar.
USM had a chance to tie the score midway in the second half, but Owl goalie
Cal Mintz (Westport, Conn.) made a diving save on a redirected header by
sophomore Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland).
Later in the half, Mesa' s point blank shot was stopped by Willard.
The Huskies knotted the game at the 68:52 mark when sophomore Greg Cox
(Brookline, Mass./Hebron Academy) put his own rebound by Mintz for his team-
leading sixth goal of the season. Scott got the game-winner three minutes later
for the Owls.
Mintz had four saves for the Owls. Willard finished with 14 saves for the
Huskies.
Keene State hosts Williams College in a battle of nationally-ranked teams
on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.). Southern Maine hosts Colby on Wednesday (4:00 p.m.).
At Keene, N.H. 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (4-5-0; 0-2-0) 0 1 1
Keene State (7-1-0; 2-0-0) 1 1 2
Scoring: 1. KS, Ralph Rocco (Jeremy Kelsey) 4:21; 2. SM, Greg Cox (unassisted)
68:52; 3. KS, Eric Scott (unassisted) 71:07.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (14 saves) KS, Cal Mintz (5 saves)
################################################################################
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Bowdoin Downs Southern Maine 4-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Nick Figueiredo (Wilmington, Mass./St. John’s
Prep) converted a pair of penalty kicks and freshman Hugh Fleming (Landsdale,
Penn./North Penn) came off the bench to add two goals as the Bowdoin College
Polar Bears defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 4-0 in a non-
conference men's soccer match Tuesday afternoon at the USM Soccer Field.
The win was the third straight for the undefeated Polar Bears, improving
their record to 3-0-0. Southern Maine dropped its second straight match to fall
to 4-4-0.
Figueiredo converted his first penalty kick in the 22nd minute after a
Bowdoin forward was taken down in the penalty area. A hand ball call in the
47th minute gave Figueiredo his second chance from the spot and he buried the
shot for a 2-0 lead.
Fleming collected a short feed from senior Simon Parsons (Hollis, N.H./St.
Paul’s) and beat USM senior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish
Hill) for his first collegiate goal in the 79th minute. The rookie forward got
his second goal in the 85th minute redirecting a pass from sophomore Chris
Hickey (Concord, N.H./St. Paul’s) into the net.
Junior goalkeeper Nathan Lovitz (Fairfield, Maine/Lawrence) was credited
with two saves to post the shutout for Bowdoin. Willard finished the match with
four saves.
The Polar Bears had a decided edge in play, outshooting the Huskies 22-3
and rolling up an 11-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Southern Maine hits the road this Saturday (September 23) for a Little East
Conference match at Keene State College. Bowdoin will travel to Williams
College for a NESCAC match on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled to start at
1:00 p.m.
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
Bowdoin (3-0-0) 1 3 4
Southern Maine (4-4-0) 0 0 0
Scoring: 1. B, Nick Figueiredo (penalty kick) 21:39; 2. B, Figueiredo (penalty
kick) 46:59; 3. B, Hugh Fleming (Simon Parsons) 78:31; 4. B, Fleming (Chris
Hickey) 84:46.
Goalies: B, Nathan Lovitz (2 saves) SM, Chris Willard (4 saves)
Shots: B, 22 SM, 3
Corner Kicks: B, 11 SM, 2
################################################################################
Monday, September 18, 2006
Amoroso Named LEC Rookie of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman forward Josh Amoroso (Gorham, Maine/Waynfleet)
of the University of Southern Maine Huskies men's soccer team has been named the
Little East Conference Rookie of the Week for the week of September 11-17. The
announcement was made by the conference office Monday afternoon.
Playing in his first three matches of the 2006 season, Amoroso scored two
goals and dished out an assist for five points. In USM's 3-0 win over St.
Joseph's College, Amoroso came on late in the first half and scored the first of
his two goals the first time he touched the ball as a collegiate player. He
added a second goal early in the second half.
Two days later, playing against the University of Maine at Farmington, the
5-foot-9, 155-pound forward set up the game-winning goal in the 78th minute to
give the Huskies a come-from-behind, 3-2 victory.
Southern Maine, 4-3-0 overall, will host Bowdoin College tomorrow (Tuesday,
September 19) afternoon in a non-conference match starting at 4:30 p.m.
################################################################################
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Anchormen Blank Huskies, 1-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Derek Rocha (Fall River, Mass./Durfee) scored the
lone goal of the match in the 36th minute to lead the Rhode Island College
Anchormen to a 1-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a
Little East Conference men's soccer match at the USM Soccer Field Saturday
afternoon.
The win keeps the Anchormen undefeated on the season at 3-0-0. Southern
Maine had its four-match winning streak snapped to fall to 4-3-0 overall. The
match was the conference opener for both sides.
Rocha picked up a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and beat USM senior
goalkeeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) with a low shot from
about 15 yards out. The goal was the second of the season for Rocha.
Willard got some help from his defense in the first half when sophomore
defender Colin Reilly (Evergreen, Col.) chased down a rolling ball and cleared
it off the line to keep the margin at one goal.
Junior Sean Gonsalves (Somerset, Mass.) did not need to record a save to
pick up the shutout as the Anchormen defense limited to Huskies to just four
shots in the match. Southern Maine's best scoring chance came in the first half
when sophomore Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland) sent classmate Greg Cox
(Brookline, Mass./Hebron Academy) in on Gonsalves, but Cox's shot went just wide
to the left of goal.
Willard finished the match with nine saves. Rhode Island College took 20
shots during the match and had a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (4:30 p.m.) when it hosts
Bowdoin College in a non-conference match. Rhode Island College will host
Johnson and Wales University on Tuesday (6:00 p.m.).
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
Rhode Island College (3-0-0; 1-0-0) 1 0 1
Southern Maine (4-3-0; 0-1-0) 0 0 0
Scoring: 1. RIC, Derek Rocha (unassisted) 35:48.
Goalies: RIC, Sean Gonsalves (0 saves) SM, Chris Willard (9 saves)
Shots: RIC, 20 SM, 4
Corner Kicks: RIC, 9 SM, 2
################################################################################
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Huskies Rally to Down UM Farmington 3-2
FARMINGTON, Maine -- Sophomore midfielder Greg Cox (Brookline,
Mass./Hebron Academy) and senior midfielder Chris Lapointe (Orono, Maine) each
scored goals in the final 20 minutes as the University of Southern Maine Huskies
overcame a 2-1 deficit en route to a 3-2 victory over the University of Maine at
Farmington Beavers in a non-conference men's soccer match Thursday afternoon.
The win was the fourth straight for the Huskies and improved their overall
record to 4-2-0. UMF dipped to 0-2-1 on the season.
Cox, who had two goals in the match, tied the score at 2-2 in the 72nd
minute when he knocked a shot past UMF sophomore goalkeeper Brian Lemont
(Brunswick, Maine). Lapointe netted the game winner in the 78th minute when he
scored off a cross into the box by freshman forward Josh Amoroso (Gorham,
Maine/Waynfleet).
In the opening half, USM took a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute as Cox scored
his first goal into an open net. The lead lasted less than four minutes as
senior Jeff Tatarczuk (Westbrook, Maine) tied the game for the Beavers with an
unassisted goal. The first half ended deadlocked at 1-1.
The Beavers struck early in the second half to take a 2-1 lead. Junior
Peter Doolittle (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) beat USM senior goalkeeper Chris Willard
(Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) with a hard shot off a set up from junior
Andrew Knox (Waterloo, Iowa).
Willard finished the match with two saves. Lemont was credited with six
saves. Southern Maine held a 13-7 advantage in shots and an 8-1 margin in
corner kicks.
The Huskies will play the Little East Conference opener this Saturday (1:00
p.m.) when they host Rhode Island College. UMaine Farmington will travel to
Lesley College on Sunday (1:00 p.m.).
At Farmington, Maine 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (4-2-0) 1 2 3
UMaine Farmington (0-2-1) 1 1 2
Scoring: 1. SM, Greg Cox (unassisted) 23:25; 2. UMF, Jeff Tatarczuk
(unassisted) 27:09; 3. UMF, Peter Doolittle (Andrew Knox) 49:46; 4. SM, Cox
(unassisted) 71:58; 5. SM, Chris Lapointe (Josh Amoroso) 77:31.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (2 saves) UMF, Brian Lemont (6 saves)
Shots: SM, 13 UMF, 7
Corner Kicks: SM, 8 UMF, 1
################################################################################
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Amoroso Scores Twice to Lead USM By St. Joseph's 3-0
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman forward Josh Amoroso (Gorham, Maine/Waynefleet)
scored a pair of goals to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 3-0
victory over the St. Joseph's College Monks in a non-conference men's soccer
match Tuesday afternoon at the USM Soccer Field.
The win was the third for the Huskies who improve to 3-2-0 on the season.
St. Joseph's drops to 1-2-0 on the season.
Amoroso, playing in his first match this season, scored the first time he
touched the ball in the 42nd minute, converting a flick pass across the six-yard
box from sophomore midfielder Greg Cox (Brookline, Mass./Hebron Academy).
Early in the second half, Amoroso found himself in the right position to
knock in the rebound of blast from sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade,
Serbia/Portland). Bajic's shot was stopped by St. Joseph's freshman goalkeeper
Greg Cavanaugh (Haverhill, Mass.), but the rebound went right to Amoroso who put
the ball into the open net.
Bajic scored the final goal in the 72nd minute receiving a pass from
freshman midfielder Golf Pengthong (Nongkhai, Thailand/Winslow), taking a touch
to his right and beating Cavanaugh from about 15 yards out.
Senior Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) was credited with
four saves in the Southern Maine goal to collect his second straight shutout.
Cavanaugh finished the match with three saves. Southern Maine had a 17-13 edge
in shots and enjoyed a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Southern Maine will travel to the University of Maine at Farmington on
Thursday (4:00 p.m.) for a non-conference match before opening its Little East
Conference schedule on Saturday at home against Rhode Island College (1:00
p.m.). St. Joseph's will host Becker College on Saturday (1:00 p.m.)
At Gorham, Maine 1 2 Final
St. Joseph's (1-2-0) 0 0 0
Southern Maine (3-2-0) 1 2 3
Scoring: 1. SM, Josh Amoroso (Greg Cox) 41:54; 2. SM, Amoroso (Sinisa Bajic)
52:17; 3. SM, Bajic (Golf Pength ong) 71:36.
Goalies: St. J, Greg Cavanaugh (3 saves) SM, Chris Willard (4 saves)
Shots: St. J, 13 SM, 17
Corner Kicks: St. J, 3 SM, 5
################################################################################
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Cox Goal Gives USM 1-0 Win Over Worcester State
WORCESTER, Mass. -- Sophomore Greg Cox (Brookline, Mass./Hebron Academy)
scored the only goal of the match and senior goalkeeper Chris Willard
(Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill) made three saves, including stopping a penalty
kick, to give the University of Southern Maine Huskies a 1-0 win over the
Worcester State College Lancers in a non-conference men’s soccer match Saturday
afternoon at Coughlin Field in Worcester.
The win was the second straight for the Huskies and levels their overall
record at 2-2-0. Worcester State falls to 1-2-0 for the season.
Cox scored in the 20th minute when he booted home a deflected shot for his
third goal of the season.
Willard preserved the slim margin by stopping a penalty kick with just
under eight minutes left in regulation. Worcester State also had an apparent
tying goal called back on an offside call with four minutes to play.
Worcester State goalkeeper Albert Jenkins (Thomaston, Ga.) played well for
the Lancers making seven saves. Southern Maine had a 15-13 edge in shots while
Worcester State enjoyed a
4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The Huskies will play their home opener against the Monks of St. Joseph’s
College on Tuesday starting at 4:00 p.m. Worcester State will travel to Union
College on Friday.
At Worcester, Mass. 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (2-2-0) 1 0 1
Worcester State (1-2-0) 0 0 0
Scoring: 1. SM, Greg Cox (unassisted) 19:47.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (3 saves) WS, Albert Jenkins (7 saves)
Shots: SM, 15 WS, 13
Corner Kicks: SM, 3 WS, 4
################################################################################
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Cox Scores in OT to Give USM 3-2 Win Over Maine Maritime
CASTINE, Maine -- Sophomore midfielder Greg Cox (Brookline, Mass./Hebron
Academy) scored in the seventh minute of the first sudden death overtime period
to give the University of Southern Maine Huskies a 3-2 victory over the Maine
Maritime Academy Mariners in a non-conference men’s soccer match Tuesday evening
at Ritchie Field in Castine.
The win was the first of the season for the Huskies after a pair of 3-2
losses last weekend in the Roger Williams Tournament. The Mariners remain
winless after two matches.
Cox headed in the rebound a shot taken by sophomore forward Sinisa Bajic
(Belgrade, Serbia/Portland) after Mariner goalkeeper Josh Heath (Bangor, Maine)
made a great save on Bajic. The goal was the second of the season for Cox.
Southern Maine forced the match into extra time when freshman midfielder
Gabe Labbe (Eliot, Maine/Marshwood) found the net with a one-time shot with just
over seven minutes left in regulation. Cox picked up the lone assist.
Bajic gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute with his second goal
of the season off an assist from Chris Lapointe (Orono, Maine).
The lead lasted until the 39th minute when MMA tied the score on a goal by
senior Josh Coffin (Hampden, Maine) set up by Andrew Pease (Old Town, Maine).
The Mariners grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the 52nd minute on an own goal.
Heath made the lead stand up for more than 30 minutes before Labbe got the
equalizer.
USM senior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill)
finished the match with four saves. Heath ended the match with eight saves.
Southern Maine hits the road on Saturday for its fourth straight road match
to open the season when it travels to Worcester State College. Opening kickoff
is set for 2:30 p.m. Maine Maritime travels north this weekend for games at the
University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
At Castine, Maine 1 2 OT Final
Southern Maine (1-2-0) 1 1 1 3
Maine Maritime (0-2-0) 1 1 0 2
Scoring: 1. SM, Sinisa Bajic (Chris Lapointe) 8:10; 2. MMA, Josh Coffin
(Andrew Pease) 38:12; 3. MMA, own goal, 51:25; 4. SM, Gabe Labbe (Greg Cox)
82:55; 5. SM, Cox (Bajic) 96:22.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (4 saves) MMA, Josh Heath (8 saves)
Shots: SM, 26 MMA, 10
Corner Kicks: SM, 10 MMA, 4
################################################################################
Saturday, September 2, 2006
Southern Maine Falls to Coast Guard, 3-2
BRISTOL, R.I. -- Senior Robert Poitinger (Lebanon, Ohio) snapped a 2-2
tie with less than two minutes to play to give the United States Coast Guard
Academy Bears a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over the University of Southern
Maine Huskies in the second day of play in the Roger Williams University Classic
being played in Bristol, R.I.
The win gave the Bears a sweep of their two matches in the tournament. The
Bears downed host Roger Williams 2-1 on Friday. Despite the two victories, the
Bears finished second in the event behind Skidmore College based upon the first
tiebreaker (fewest goals allowed). Skidmore defeated Roger Williams in the
other game Saturday, 5-0. Southern Maine dipped to 0-2 on the season with its
second straight 3-2 loss.
Poitinger redirected a corner kick taken by senior Scott Senkier
(Lagrangeville, N.Y.) past USM senior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Willimantic,
Conn.) to give the Bears the lead with 1:45 left in regualtion time. The Bears
cleared a shot by USM senior Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) off the
line in the waning seconds to preserve the win.
Trailing 1-0 after a goal by Coast Guard senior Kevin Trujilo (Cucamonga,
Ca.) in the eighth minute, the Huskies wasted little time getting back even as
sophomore Sinisa Bajic (Belgrade, Serbia/Portland) netted his first goal of the
season heading in a cross from senior Cassidy Neal (Walpole, N.H./Fall Mountain)
in the ninth minute. Bajic would set up sophomore Greg Cox (Brookline,
Mass./Hebron Academy) in the final minute of the first half to give the Huskies
a 2-1 lead at intermission.
Coast Guard tied the match in the 56th minute as senior Casey Steur
(Madison, Wis.) converted a pass from Trujilo for the equalizer.
Named to the All-Tournament team from Southern Maine were Bial and freshman
Gabe Labbe (Eliot, Maine/Marshwood). Joining them were Kevin Canty and Brendan
Cavanaugh from Roger Williams; David O'Brien, Steur and Trujilo of Coast Guard;
and Ben Shriner, Silas Doyle and Alex MacFayden of Skidmore. Pat Phelan of
Skidmore was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player and teammate Peter
Brownell was picked as the Defensive Most Valuable Player.
Southern Maine will look to break into the win column when it travels to
Castine, Maine, on Tuesday to play Maine Maritime Academy under the lights.
Opening kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
At Bristol, R.I. 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (0-2-0) 2 0 2
Coast Guard (2-0-0) 1 2 3
Scoring: 1. CG, Kevin Trujilo (Casey Steur) 7:43: 2. SM, Sinisa Bajic (Cassidy
Neal) 8:01; 3. SM, Greg Cox (Bajic) 44:38; 4. CG, Steur (Trujilo) 55:06; 5.
CG, Robert Poitinger (Scott Senkier) 88:15.
################################################################################
Friday, September 1, 2006
Skidmore Downs Southern Maine 3-2 in Season Opener
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Van Haskell (Needham, Mass./Rivers) converted a
penalty kick in the 48th minute and the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds held on
for a 3-2 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Friday afternoon
in a first round game of the Roger Williams University Classic in Bristol, R.I.
The match was the season opener for both squads.
Haskell's goal gave the Thoroughbreds a 3-1 lead and proved to be the game-
winner as USM rookie "Golf" Pengthong (Nongkhai, Thailand/Winslow HS) pulled the
Huskies back within one with an unassisted goal at 64:27.
Southern Maine was unable to get the equalizer over the final 25 minutes as
Skidmore junior goalkeeper Jake Densen (Summit, N.J.) preserved the victory.
Densen finished the match with three saves.
Skidmore took an early lead with a first-minute goal from senior Colin
Minte (Yarmouth, Maine/NYA) off an assist by junior Pat Phelan (Wallingford,
Conn./Choate).
The Huskies equalized at 21:50 when freshman Gabe Labbe (Eliot,
Maine/Marshwood) tallied his first collegiate goal.
The Thoroughbreds regained the advantage for good in the 36th minute as
freshman Ernie Economides (Buzzards Bay, Mass./Taber Academy) put a shot past
USM senior keeper Chris Willard (Willimantic, Conn./Parish Hill). Junior Pete
Brownell (Ridgewood, N.J.) picked up the assist.
Willard finished the match with six saves for the Huskies. Skidmore
enjoyed an 11-5 advantage in shots and a 6-2 margin in corner kicks.
Southern Maine will take on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in a second round
match on Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m. (Note change in game time). Skidmore
will take on Roger Williams immediately following.
At Bristol, R.I. 1 2 Final
Southern Maine (0-1-0) 1 1 2
Skidmore (1-0-0) 2 1 3
Scoring: 1. Sk, Colin Minte (Pat Phelan) 0:40; 2. SM, Gabe Labbe (unassisted)
21:50; 3. Sk, Ernie Economides (Pete Brownell) 35:50; 4. Sk, Van Haskell
(penalty kick) 47:42; 5. SM, Golf Pengthong (unassisted) 64:27.
Goalies: SM, Chris Willard (6 saves) Sk, Jake Densen (3 saves)
Shots: SM, 5 Sk, 11
Corner Kicks: SM, 2 Sk, 6
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Friday, August 25, 2006
Southern Maine Names Willard and Bial Men's Soccer Captains
Huskies Open Season on September 1
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior goalkeeper Chris Willard (Hampton, Conn./Parish
Hill) and senior forward Adam Bial (Wenham, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) have been
named co-captains for the University of Southern Maine Huskies men's soccer team
for the 2006 season.
Head coach Mike Keller made the announcement this week as the Huskies begin
preparations for the 2006 season. Willard and Bial are reprising their roles as
co-captains after serving in that capacity during the 2005 season.
"Both (Willard) and (Bial) are two of the hardest working members of our
program," commented Keller who is beginning his third season as the Huskies head
coach. "Last season, they both were integral in the development of a very young
squad and they will be relied upon to have an even greater leadership presence
both on and off the field."
Bial, who earned second team All-Little East Conference honors in 2005, has
been one of the Huskies top goal scorers during his career. After tallying two
goals and an assist as a freshman in 2003, Bial broke out offensively as a
sophomore netting a career-high nine goals and three assists. Last season, he
was the Huskies second-leading scorer with five goals and a team-high four
assists increasing his career totals to 17 goals and eight assists for 40
points. Bial's 17 goals place him just outside of the USM career record books
heading into the 2006 season.
"Adam has been a workhorse for us in the offensive third of the field,"
noted Keller. "He leads by example and is willing to do anything anytime to
make the team successful."
While Bial has been one of the keys to the USM offense over the past three
seasons, Willard has spent his three playing seasons anchoring the team's
defense as a mainstay in goal. With over 4,000 minutes of experience, Willard,
a 2004 All-LEC selection, is scattered throughout the USM single-season and
career record books. Currently, he is ranked fourth all-time in career shutouts
with 12 and fourth in goals against average at 1.43 goals allowed per game.
"Chris is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the conference," said
Keller. "He has the ability to be one of the top goalkeepers in the region.
Aside from his technical ability, his leadership was vital to the development of
our defensive unit last season and he will continue to play a large part in our
team's success."
After starting last season off slowly with a 1-7-2 mark through its first
10 games, the Huskies bounced back to complete is final eight games with a 4-3-1
record to end the year with a 5-10-3 record. With a majority of its players
returning from last season, including Bial, Willard and 2005 Little East
Conference Rookie of the Year Sinisa Bajic (Portland, Maine/Portland), Keller
expects his team to improve upon its late-season success.
"We made significant strides in the latter stages of the (2005) season,"
said Keller. "With the amount of changes in the roster from the previous
season, it took a while for us to gel and play as a team. By the end of the
year we were playing a full 90 minutes of soccer and it showed in our results.
With a year of experience for our underclassmen and an increased leadership
presence from the upperclassmen we should be able to hit the ground running at
the start of this season."
Southern Maine opens its season at the Roger Williams Classic next Friday
and Saturday (September 1-2). USM will play Skidmore College in the opening
round on Friday, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Saturday.
The Huskies remain on the road for contests against Maine Maritime Academy
(Sept. 5) and Worcester State (Sept. 9) before hosting St. Joseph's College
(Sept. 12) in their home opener. The Huskies return to the road for three more
contests in September against the University of Maine Farmington (Sept. 14) and
Little East Conference rivals Rhode Island College (Sept. 16) and Keene State
College (Sept. 23). The Huskies also host three home games including Bowdon
(Sept. 19) and Colby (Sept. 27) before closing out the month at home versus LEC
foe UMass Boston (Sept. 30).
Southern Maine will be on the road for its first three games in October
against Bates (Oct. 3), Plymouth State (Oct. 8) and the University of New
England (Oct. 11). The Huskies will be at home against UMass Dartmouth (Oct.
14) before completing a two-game road trip against Thomas College (Oct. 18) and
Eastern Connecticut State (Oct. 21). Southern Maine closes out its regular
season schedule at home against Salem State (Oct. 25) and Western Connecticut
State (Oct. 28).
The Little East Conference tournament will consist of the top four teams,
with a semifinal round to be held on November 1 and the championship game set
for November 4.
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Friday, August 25, 2006
Courtesy of the Little East Conference
Contact: Jack Holleran
Keene State Tops LEC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Keene State men's soccer team edged out Western
Connecticut State University for the top spot in the annual edition of the
Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Owls, ranked 24th in the
inaugural D3kicks.com national poll, received 58 points, including four first-
place votes, to squeeze by the Colonials (57 pts.).
Keene State has been the gold standard in the Little East Conference for
the past three seasons, capturing three consecutive regular-season league crowns
and sporting an impressive 18-1-2 mark in the conference circuit. The 2005 squad
posted a 13-4-3 overall record, including a 6-0-1 mark in the League. The Owls
were upset in the semifinal round of the LEC Conference Tournament, but earned
an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, the seventh since the program moved to
D-III in 1993, where Keene State advanced to the New England regional finals. A
high-powered offensive attack, the Owls led the Little East in points per game
(8.05) and goals (59), while ranking second in assists per game (2.15). Keene
State returns three of their top four scorers from last season's campaign,
including All-Conference first-team pick senior midfielder Eric Scott (13-5-31).
His 31 points were fourth best in the conference. The Owls kick off their 2006
campaign on Sept. 1 at the Rowan Classic against St. Joseph's (NY) at 8 p.m.
The defending Little East Conference Tournament Champions Western
Connecticut State received 57 points, including three first-place ballots, but
were a mere point off the pace. Last season, the Colonials (13-5-3, 4-2-1 LEC)
upset the top two seeds in the conference tournament (Keene State 4-1, Rhode
Island College 0-0 (8-7 pks)) to capture the automatic bid into the NCAA
Tournament field, the program's eighth berth. Western Connecticut returns the
anchor of the championship squad, All;Conference first-team sophomore goalkeeper
Daniel Michalowski. The two-time All-Little East Rookie of the Week made 10
saves and only surrendered one goal in 200 minutes of regulation during the
championships. On the other end of the field, the Colonials welcome back top
scorer and 2005 Little East Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year Bradley
Fidler (15-15-45). Western Connecticut State opens its 2006 slate at home on
Sept. 3 against Fitchburg State.
Plymouth State, who received a first-place vote, registered 46 points. A
year ago, the Panthers (12-4-4, 4-2-1) earned their third consecutive trip to
the ECAC Tournament, where they advanced to the semifinal round. Plymouth State
returns its offensive catalyst in sophomore forward Semir Mehmedovic (10-6-26).
A starter in 14 of 19 contests, Mehmedovic scored a season-high six points on
three goals as the Panthers overpowered Thomas, 7-0, on Oct. 27. Plymouth State
begins its 2006 season at Gordon on Sept. 6.
Separated by just three points, Eastern Connecticut State (39) and Rhode
Island College (36) enter 2006 at No. 4 and 5, respectively. Last season, the
Warriors (8-7-1, 4-3-0) surged down the stretch-winners of three of their final
four games (a 2-1 overtime loss to Keene State-but fell a point short of
qualifying for the conference tournament. Senior midfielder Elvis Perndoj
returns as Eastern Connecticut State's top scorer (4-7-15), while junior
goalkeeper Jay Barney (0.88 gaa) will bolster the Warriors last line of defense.
Eastern Connecticut State travels to Western Mass. for the annual Springfield
College Invitational on Sept. 1.
Rhode Island College (12-5-5, 4-1-2) hoisted it first ever ECAC Tournament
trophy last fall. The Anchormen will look to build off its postseason momentum
and book a third consecutive berth in the Little East Tournament championship
match. Despite the loss of forward Kyle Teixeria, the program's all-time leading
scorer, Rhode Island College has seasoned-veterans patrolling its defensive
third, including junior defender James Nigrelli. The Anchormen open the season
against Rutgers on Sept. 1 at the Mule Classic, hosted by Muhlenberg College
(Pa.).
Rounding out the final three spots in the preseason poll are the University
of Southern Maine (23), the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (20), and
the University of Massachusetts at Boston (nine).
2006 Little East Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Rk Team (1st Place Votes) Pts
1. Keene State College (4) 58
2. Western Connecticut State (3) 57
3. Plymouth State (1) 46
4. Eastern Connecticut State 39
5. Rhode Island College 36
6. University of Southern Maine 23
7. University of Mass. Dartmouth 20
8. University of Mass. Boston 9
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