Box Score

GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Casey Clark (Bethlehem, N.H.) and senior Michelle Oswald (Jay, Maine) scored just over three minutes apart near the end of the first half to give the University of New England all the scoring it would need for a 2-0 season-opening victory over the University of Southern Maine in non-conference field hockey action Thursday at Hodgdon Field.

UNE held a 7-3 advantage in shots through 30 minutes of play before Clark put the visitors in front with a drive from the right side of the circle. Sophomore Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) connected with Oswald 3:11 later to give Big Blue a 2-0 cushion at the half.

Neither team found the back of the cage in the second period as the Nor'easters (1-0) went on to register their third consecutive victory over the Huskies (0-1) on opening day, and get rookie head coach Danielle Ryder her first career win.

First-year netminder Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, N.H.) turned away four shots to earn the shutout. For USM, sophomore Kayla Kennedy (Windham, Maine) logged the initial 65-plus minutes, posting six saves.

Big Blue ended the game with a 12-5 edge in penalty corners, and a 14-8 margin in the shots category.

The Nor'easters return to the Big Blue Turf for their home opener on Saturday (11 a.m.) against Wheaton College (Mass.). Southern Maine is set to go again the same day at SUNY Oneonta.