Seahawks stop Southern Maine, 2-0, to split in USM Invitational

GORHAM, Maine – Seniors Alex Wasilewski (San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Jserra Catholic) and Devin L'Heureux (Litchfield, N.H./Bishop Guertin) each scored in the first half to lead the Salve Regina University Seahawks to a 2-0 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in the final game of the 2014 USM Invitational Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field in Gorham, Maine.

With the win, Salve stands at 1-1 on the season.  The loss is the second straight for the Huskies who fall to 0-2.  The United States Coast Guard Academy earned the team championship, posting a 2-0 record on the weekend with a 1-0 win over Bridgewater State in the earlier game.

After a scoreless 22 minutes, Wasilewski broke through the Huskies' defense for his first goal of the season. L'Heureux made it 2-0 in favor of the Seahawks in the 35th minute converting a well-played ball from sophomore Evan Dudney (North Andover, Mass.). L'Heureux bent the ball into the left side of the net to beat USM freshman goalkeeper Charles Mull (Portland, Maine/Cheverus).

Ahead 2-0 after the break, neither team was able to break through for a goal in the second half.  Huskies' junior Harrison Hall (Kennebunkport, Maine/Kennebunk) had a quality attempt in the waning moments of the game, but Salve Regina senior goalkeeper Kyle Kureczka (Berlin, Conn.) made the stop.

Mull made nine saves in the loss.  Kureczka earned the shutout turning back four shots. The Seahawks held a decisive 17-8 edge in shots and out-cornered the Huskies 9-3.

Southern Maine returns to action on Friday (7:30 p.m.) when it faces Husson University at the Husson University Eagles Challenge Cup.  Salve Regina hosts Johnson & Wales (RI) on Saturday (3 p.m.).

2014 USM Invitational All-Tournament Team: Coast Guard – Trey Chamberlain (MVP), Alex Lane, Matt Bogdan and Lukas Benedetto; Bridgewater State – Conor Murtagh, Nick Keddie and Chris Noughton; Salve Regina – Alex Wazilewski, Peter Melo, Steven Aston; Southern Maine – Tyler Rand, Kyle Curley and Charlie Mull