CASTINE, Maine – The University of New England men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Maine Maritime on Friday evening behind goals from Nick Reffel and Bruno Correia, along with a four-save shutout by Triston O'Hagan.

Both Correia and Reffel earned their first career goals, and O'Hagan's clean sheet was the fourth of his career.

After a scoreless first half, UNE (1-0) first got on the board with Reffel's tally in the 54th minute. Correia, who made his Nor'easter debut on Friday, provided some insurance in the 78th minute.

The Mariners (0-1) recorded three of their four total shots on goal during the first half. Once the Nor'easters had a 1-0 lead, O'Hagan was only called upon to make one additional save thanks to a stingy backline.

UNE put back-to-back shots on goal late in the first half – one from Sam Higgins and another from Correia – but ultimately waited until the early minutes of the second half to break the scoreless tie when Reffel hammered home a bouncing ball from just over 10 yards out in the seconds following a corner kick.

That was all the offense UNE needed in order to pull out a season-opening win, but Correia tacked on another goal for good measure, sending a highlight-reel rocket off his right foot and past the outstretched arms of Maine Maritime keeper Reagan Moynihan and into the top right corner of the net.

Friday's victory avenged previous season-opening losses to the Mariners during the 2023 and 2022 seasons.

The Nor'easters are in action at home for the first time in 2024 when they host Thomas on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.