FARMINGTON, Maine - UMaine-Farmington's senior midfielder Aric Belanger (Manchester, Maine) took over for the Beavers in their winning effort at Leib Field Saturday afternoon against NAC Conference opponent UMaine-Presque Isle. What turned out to be a great performance from Belanger, didn't start out the way he had planned. In the 23rd minute, Belanger was called for a foul inside the box that set up Matthew Bayonne's (Michigan City, Indiana) game opening marker on a penalty kick.

Belanger kept his composure and delivered a great performance for the Beavers in helping them pick up their first win of the season. Belanger was able to tie the game in the 33rd minute when he placed one past UMPI's goalkeeper Xavier McAtee (Presque Isle, Maine) off an assist from senior Cade McHugh (Little Compton, RI). 

The game remained tied into the second half. The Owls' defense took a hit when center back Joshua Valadez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) was forced to leave the game due to injury. Not long after Valadez left, the Beavers grabbed the lead in the 70th when McHugh put one into an empty net after McAtee dove to break up a cross from junior Brady Stockwell (Manchester, Maine). The ball ricocheted off the hands of McAtee and right to McHugh who gave the Beaver the lead that they would not relinquish. 

The Beavers would grab an insurance goal off the foot of senior Yusuf Mohamed (Lewiston, Maine) who beat McAtee off a beautiful through ball from Belanger that put Mohamed in behind the Owls back line of defenders. 

The Beavers were not done scoring however. They would get a fourth tally and the second from Belanger, when he found the back of the net in the 82nd. The Beavers won the ball at mid-field. Belanger played a ball out wide to sophomore Zach Chaisson (Scarborough, Maine) who then sent a through ball to Cassidy Pound (Montville, Maine). Belanger didn't stop once he gave up the ball. Instead he raced down the field, straight passed the Owls midfielders to find open space. Pound laid the ball back to Belanger who slotted one into the bottom corner of the goal to give the Beavers a comfortable three goal advantage.

The Beavers would hold a 22-10 advantage in shots, 10-5 in shots on goal, and 14-3 in corner kicks. Senior goalkeeper Jonah Sautter (Lisbon, Maine) made four saves for the Beavers. McAtee made six saves for the Owls.

The Beavers improve their record to 1-2-1 while the Owls fall to 1-2-2.

UP NEXT

The Beavers will be back in action next Saturday, September 24th as Northern Vermont University-Johnson comes to Leib Field for a 1:00 game.