Box Score WATERVILLE, ME – Thomas College (1-2) was unable to attain a win in their home opener, falling to University of Southern Maine (1-2), 2-0 on Friday night in the first day of the Terrier Women's Soccer Classic at Smith Field.
In the opening stanza neither team was able to find the back of the twine, with the Huskies outshooting the hosts 12-4.
USM came out from halftime strong and stormed down the field from the kickoff to break the 0-0 tie. Amy Jose found teammate Mariah Cropley, who took a shot from outside the box that went over the fingertips of Terrier keeper Paige Leary.
It was Cropley again in the 35th minute that doubled the Huskies lead, as she broke the Terrier defense and chipped the ball over the hands of Leary.
Thomas nearly had an opportunity to cut the deficit to one when Jenn Gainey received a cross from Bronte Howorth but couldn't capitalize, pushing it just right of the post.
Leary recorded nine saves, while Marissa Temple had five stops in the win for USM.
Overall, Southern Maine outshot the Terriers 22-13, while holding a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.
Both squads will return to Smith Field tomorrow in the final day of the Terrier Soccer Classic, with USM taking on MMA at 10:30 am and Thomas playing against UMPI at 1:30 pm.
