GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine (4-5) edged Saint Joseph's College (5-4), 3-2 in overtime, in non-conference field hockey action at Hannaford Field on Monday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After a scoreless first half, the Huskies broke through with a pair of goals in a matter of 90 seconds midway through the third quarter. Bri Townsend opened the scoring at the 38:15 mark, finishing a feed from HJ Tuplin, and less than two minutes later, Maddie Niles doubled the lead off an assist from Olivia Staggs.

The Monks responded quickly, as sophomore Zoey Lailer (Limington, Maine) buried her first tally of the season off a setup from senior Maya Waryas (Bellows Falls, Vt.) at 44:48. Saint Joseph's drew level early in the fourth when senior Kienna Haley (Scarborough, Maine) netted her team-leading eighth goal of the season with an assist from freshman Ava Markham (Belfast, Maine).

The 2-2 deadlock carried into overtime, but Townsend ended the contest in the 64th minute with her second goal of the day and fourth of the season, securing the Huskies' victory.

TEAM STATS:

Southern Maine held the lead in shots (17-10), shots on goal (11-6), and penalty corners (10-8) in the victory.

THE KEEPERS:

Saint Joseph's junior goalkeeper Kimberley McLaughlin (Lewiston, Maine) registered eight saves in the setback. Southern Maine netminder Eleanor Folsom turned away three shots to earn the win.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:

With the win, Southern Maine extends its all-time series edge over Saint Joseph's to 20-8 and has now topped the Monks in four-consecutive meetings, including a 4-3 OT triumph last fall.

NEXT!

Saint Joseph's will host Elms College on Wednesday in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest scheduled to start at 6:00 PM.