Box Score

FARMINGTON, Maine -- The University of New England men's soccer team built a 4-1 halftime lead before holding off a late charge by the University of Maine Farmington in a 5-4 non-conference win Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 15) at Robert Leib Field.

The victory halted a three-game losing streak for the Nor'easters, who improved to 2-3. The Beavers dropped back to the .500 mark at 2-2.

Five different players scored for UNE, with perhaps the biggest goal of the afternoon coming from Ryan Stephens in the 86th minute. Stephens' free kick from 25 yards out gave the Nor'easters a 5-3 advantage at the time and proved to be a crucial insurance goal as Henry Ametti converted a penalty kick two minutes later to get the hosts back to within one.

At the outset it appeared as if the Nor'easters would breeze to victory. Tyler Garnick and Will Bushey scored in the eighth and ninth minute, respectively, to give UNE an early 2-0 cushion, then Dan Good tallied in the 19th minute to give Big Blue a three-goal bulge.

After Luke Sterling got the hosts on the scoreboard four minutes later, Garnick notched his second marker of the day in the 38th minute to complete the scoring for the first half and give the Nor'easters a 4-1 lead heading into intermission.

UMF's Ibrahim Acheck would score back-to-back goals just 23 seconds apart in the 62nd minute to make things interesting and get the Beavers back into the contest.

Nate Diffin earned the win for UNE, playing the entire first half in goal and making one stop. Jake Rostkowski had one save in the second frame for the Nor'easters, who led 14-9 in shots.

Matt Wilson registered four saves for UMF.

The Nor'easters have just one day off before returning to action Thursday when they play at Bates College (8 p.m.).