(story courtesy University of Southern Maine Sports Information)

GORHAM, Maine  -- Junior forward Alyssa Kraus (Standish, Maine) and sophomore forward India Lowe (Gloucester, Mass.) each scored a goal to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies team to a 2-1 field hockey victory over the University of New England Nor'easters Monday afternoon at Paula D. Hodgdon Field on the Gorham campus.  It was the season-opening game for both teams.

Southern Maine overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to post its first season-opening win since 2001 as the Nor'easters got on the board first scoring early in the opening stanza.  Nor'easter sophomore midfielder Jess Scott (Poultney, Vt.) corralled a loose ball in the middle of the circle following a penalty corner to notch her first goal of the season at 6:52, giving her team the early lead.

The score remained 1-0 in the favor of UNE through the first half before Kraus tallied the equalizer at 41:41.  Kraus' first goal of the season came off of assists from freshman forward Sara Winterbottom (Burlington, Conn.) and junior forward Caitlin Albert (Scarborough, Maine).

Southern Maine went ahead for good in the 52nd minute on Lowe's game-winner following a penalty corner.  Lowe started the corner for the Huskies playing the ball to the sophomore midfielder Cristina Corson (Naples, Maine).  Corson carried the ball to the center of the circle and dished the ball off to Lowe who had taken a position on the left side of the goal cage.  Lowe then tucked the ball past UNE senior goalkeeper Tanya Callan (Brick, N.J.) to give USM a 2-1 edge.  The Huskies controlled play over the final 17 minutes of the game to ensure the victory.

Callan finished the game making five saves, while her USM counterpart sophomore Allie Hill (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) turned back four shots to earn the win.

Southern Maine out shot UNE 14-5, including an 8-0 margin in the second half and held an 11-5 advantage in penalty corners.

Southern Maine returns to action at home against non-conference opponent Gordon College on Wednesday (Sept. 5) at 4 p.m.  The University of New England hosts Castleton State on Saturday (Sept. 8) at 2 p.m.

Box Score

(posted September 3, 2007 | 19:14 ET)