Box Score GORHAM, Maine – A Matt Lemire (Townsend, Mass.) goal at the 3:50 mark of the third period gave the 10th ranked Beacons a huge 3-2 New England Hockey Conference win as they defeated the University of Southern Maine Saturday afternoon at the USM Ice Arena. With the win the Beacons are now just one of only two undefeated teams left in the NEHC.
THE BASICS
#10 UMass Boston 3, University of Southern Maine 2
UMass Boston (6-0-0, 4-0-0 NEHC)
U. of Southern Maine (3-4-0, 2-3-0 NEHC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lemire's game-winning goal in the third period helped the Beacons slip past the Huskies to move into a first place tie in the NEHC with Babson College. Saturday's contest was a back-and-forth affair, as UMass, who tallied eight goals in Friday's win over UNE struggled to find the back of the net.
USM actually struck first in Saturday's contest, as Alex Pantalone scored an unassisted goal at 3:20. However, just eight seconds later Drew Gannon (Plano, Texas) tied the score at 1-1 off of an assist from Lemire.
The Beacons would then take a 2-1 lead on a Derek Colucci (North Scituate, R.I.) goal at 8:14 of the period. The first period would come to a close with the Beacons leading by one, despite outshooting their rivals 9-4. In the second frame, the Huskies would tie the score late in the period, with the two teams each tallying nine shots apiece.
In the final frame, Lemire pushed the Beacons ahead for the second and final time. The senior forward picked up the loose puck in the center zone and streaked down the right side before curling towards the net. Zach Andrews (Coral Springs, Fla.) managed to hold-off the Huskies for the win. Andrews made 18 stops to earn his first win of the year.
Kyle Shapiro was handed the loss, his second, after totaling 21 saves.
BY THE NUMBERS
- With his two points, Lemire now leads the team with 13 points (6g, 7a)
- On the night the Beacons went 0-for-1 on the power play
- All-time the Huskies lead the series 16-13, with one tie between the two squads
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons return to action on November 28 when they travel to Colby College for a 4 p.m. non-conference game.
