Huskies Edge Vikings in Double Overtime

GORHAM, Maine -- Salem State went toe-to-toe with unbeaten Southern Maine, but Ciera Berthiaume (Windham, Maine) scored in the 103rd minute to give the Huskies a hard fought 1-0 victory over Salem State. Southern Maine moves to 5-0 while the Vikings slip to 1-2. Salem State senior Amanda Backe (Danvers, Mass.) made eight saves in the loss.

With nearly identical statistics, a few dinged crossbars and a timely one-on-one foot save from Southern Maine senior goalkeeper Taylor Canastra (Fairhaven, Mass.) both teams completed 90 full locked in a scoreless draw. At the end of regulation, Salem State had 14 shots, while Southern Maine had 13 – each with eight on target.  

In the first overtime period, both teams recorded a shot on goal with Salem State earning three corner kicks to Southern Maine's none.  But again neither the Vikings nor the Huskies could put one through for the game-winner. Set for another 10, Berthiaume was on the receiving end of a ball over the top of the defense from junior Olivia Mull (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) setting her up with just one defender to beat. Berthiaume took one touch around her defender and then sent a bending shot with the outside of her foot to the top of the net to end the game. 

The goal was Berthiaume's team-leading fifth of the season, and the 1-0 final marked the third win by shut out for the Huskies. Canastra made nine saves in the victory.