PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.) scored his second career goal, but the University of Southern Maine topped Plymouth State University, 7-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's soccer match at Arold Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Southern Maine scored three times in the opening 20 minutes to take control early. The Panthers got on the board when freshman
Luke McLaughlin (Topsham, Maine) sent a throw-in deep into the box, where McCarthy volleyed it home. PSU had chances to cut into the deficit, but the Huskies turned them aside before tacking on insurance goals to put the game away.
Plymouth State ends the season at 4-12-1 (1-6-1 LEC), while the Huskies move to 5-4-9 (3-1-4 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 1, Southern Maine 7
- Plymouth State (4-12-1, 1-6-1 LEC)
- Southern Maine (5-4-9, 3-1-4 LEC)
How it Happened:
- Southern Maine grabbed an early lead in the 5th minute, then doubled the margin in the 11th.
- McLaughlin's header led to a prime chance for sophomore George Bergin (Brentwood, N.H.) in the 13th minute, but his bid to the corner sailed high.
- USM headed in a corner kick in the 20th minute to push the margin to 3-0.
- McCarthy slowed the momentum when he volleyed in McLaughlin's long throw in the 23rd minute.
- Southern Maine added two more tallies before halftime.
- Senior Koffi Kadjo (Manchester, N.H.) nearly headed in a long service from classmate Hunter Holland (Hampton, N.H.) in the 38th minute, but the ball went just wide as the score remained 5-1 at the break.
- The Huskies extended the lead to 6-1 in the 58th minute.
- The USM goalkeeper made a pair of diving saves on bids by junior Vince Cassarino (Tolland, Conn.) late in the second half, and the Huskies closed out the game with a final tally in the 81st minute.
By the Numbers:
- McCarthy's goal was his first of the year and second of his career.
- McLaughlin recorded his second assist.
- Junior Kole Matta (Castleton, Vt.) made seven saves.
- Plymouth State held an 8-5 edge in corner kicks, though the Huskies outshot PSU, 20-15.
- Plymouth State leads the series, 26-10-4. It was just the Panthers' fourth home loss to the Huskies since the 1986 season.
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