GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Jonathan Varney (Readfield, Maine/Maranacook) scored the game-winning goal just 48 seconds into overtime to lift the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 1-0 win over the Saint Joseph's College Monks in a non-conference men's soccer match Wednesday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
The win is the first of the season for the Huskies who improve to 1-4. Saint Joseph's College drops to 1-5. Southern Maine's win over the Monks is the first in the previous six meetings between the in-state rivals.
After a scoreless 90 minutes, Varney wasted little time scoring his first goal of the season. Varney beat Monk senior goalkeeper Robert Petrosillo (Methuen, Mass./Central Catholic) on the far post after running onto a ball played over the top of the SJC defense from freshman Qutaiba Hassoon (Portland, Maine/Deering). The goal is the second of Varney's intercollegiate career and first game-winner.
In a closely contested match, both teams were even in corner kicks with seven each while Saint Joseph's held a 17-10 advantage in shots. However, Husky sophomore goalkeeper Elijah Leverett (North Yarmouth, Maine/Greely) was up to the task making eight saves to record his first win and shut out of his USM career. Petrosillo played a strong game in the loss making four saves.
Southern Maine travels to Worcester State on Saturday (12:00 p.m.) for its next contest. Saint Joseph's hosts Lasell College in a GNAC game on Saturday (2:30 p.m.).
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
