GORHAM — Junior forward Taryn Flagg scored two goals and added an assist to lead the University of New England Nor’easters to a season-opening 5-1 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Tuesday afternoon at Paula D. Hodgdon Field.
It is the first time since 2006 that USM has dropped its opening game. Southern Maine’s loss evens the series record between the two schools at 2-2-0.
After a scoreless 26 minutes, the Nor’easters sophomore forward Michelle Oswald put UNE ahead capping off a Flagg assist. UNE held the 1-0 lead until the halftime break as junior goalkeeper Ayla Nelson made several tough saves in the opening stanza.
In the second half, sophomore forward Brianna Tupper tucked in a goal in the 44th minute off of an Oswald assist before Flagg notched a pair of goals in quick fashion in the 53rd minute on assists from Tupper and junior forward Michaela Franey for a 4-0 UNE lead. Freshman forward Molly Hayden capped the UNE scoring effort knocking in her first collegiate goal in the 57th minute.
The Huskies broke up the shutout in the 62nd minute as senior midfielder Cristina Corson beat Nelson to the far side off of a solid pass from freshman forward Kailey Bubier.
Nelson finished the game with six saves, including a penalty shot, for the Nor’easters to earn the victory.
The University of New England hosts Castleton State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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