Falmouth, ME --- Sophomore Alex Wolfel (Amston, CT) broke a scoreless draw in the 66th minute converting a penalty kick and the Worcester State University Lancers went on to defeat the University of Southern Maine, 2-0, Saturday afternoon in a non-conference men's soccer match played at Falmouth High School.

The Lancers picked up their first win of the season to improve to 1-2-0. The Huskies are still winless after four games. The teams battled through a scoreless first half that saw the Lancers hold an edge in the play and out shoot the Huskies 5-2.

The Huskies had the best scoring opportunity coming late in the half as sophomore Ben Kanokvichitra (Littlehampton, UK) bounced a shot off the crossbar, then headed the rebound just over the crossbar. The Lancers were awarded the penalty kick when rookie Ben Gerhardt (Jefferson, MA) was pulled down in the box.

Wolfel calmly stepped up to the spot and put a right-footed shot into the left side of the goal past diving USM junior goalkeeper Jeremy Turner (Portland, ME). Gerhardt put the game away in the 89th minute. With the Huskies pressing for an equalizer, the Lancers quickly countered down the right side.

Senior Justin Biela (Bridgewater, MA) laid a pass across the goal to an unmarked Gerhardt, and the rookie forward slipped home a six-yard shot. Senior goalkeeper Evan Wilga (Webster, MA posted the shutout despite not recording a save. Turner finished the match with three saves. Worcester State had a 15-2 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Southern Maine hosts Saint Joseph's College (Me.) in its next match on Tuesday (4:00 PM). Worcester State entertains Trinity College on Tuesday night (7:00 PM).

Release Courtesy of Southern Maine Sports Information