Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- First-year Kristin Dechene (Nashua, N.H.) scored her first two collegiate goals to lead the University of New England to a 3-1 non-conference women's soccer victory over the University of Southern Maine Tuesday evening (Sep. 11) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

Big Blue improves to 2-3 overall with its fifth straight win against the Huskies, who drop to 1-4 on the year.

In a game tied at 1-1 approaching halftime, Dechene collected a long pass on the right wing from senior Nicole Faircloth (Westfield, Mass.) and dribbled to the edge of the box before lofting a shot up into the left side netting with 47 ticks still on the clock before the break.

The goal gave UNE a boost moving into the second frame, and Dechene added some insurance in the 55th minute when the rebound from a shot by sophomore Jayne Kelly (Hooksett, N.H.) came right to her and she tucked it just inside the right post.

Early on, the Nor'easters gained a 1-0 advantage after a Southern Maine own goal in the 4th minute. Just over six minutes later, the Huskies got back even when sophomore Kelly Burrell (Cumberland, Maine) took a rip at a bouncing ball and looped it over the UNE keeper into the upper left corner.

USM held an 8-5 edge in shots during the first 45 minutes, though Big Blue responded to close with a 16-12 cushion in the category.

Junior Gina Iannazzi (Methuen, Mass.) made five saves over the initial 72 minutes before giving way to sophomore Sarah Papapietro (Bonita, Calif.), who registered two stops in the remaining time.

Huskies first-year goalkeeper Marisa Temple (Grafton, Maine) logged six saves for the visitors, who open Little East Conference (LEC) play on Saturday (12 p.m.) at Western Connecticut State University.

The Nor'easters return to action on Thursday (4:30 p.m.) with the first of three consecutive road games at Colby College.


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To view the post-game interview with Kristin Dechene, click HERE.