CASTINE, Maine - Senior Coleman Watson (Readfield, Maine) scored a big goal in the 39th minute that proved to be the game-winner in the Beavers important 1-0 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) victory against Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday afternoon. 

The Beavers had a pair of corner kicks in the first ten minutes of the game but were unable to get a substantial opportunity on goal after each chance. 

After the opening ten minutes, the game was a possession battle in the midfield as both teams struggled to sustain offensive pressure.

Watson was able to get the Beavers on the scoreboard in the 39th minute when he picked up his 2nd goal of the season. Senior defender Brady Stockwell (Readfield, Maine) lofted a left-footed cross into the box headed toward the back post. Mariner goalkeeper Reagan Moynihan leapt up to catch the cross but he was unable to catch the ball as it hit his hands and fell right to the patient Watson who headed the loose ball into the back of the net.

In the opening minutes of the 2nd half the Beavers were awarded a free-kick from the right wing. William Dowse (Sherborn, Mass.) whipped a cross into the box that found the head of Rafeal Herron (Belmont, Calif.). Herron's header got on net but was saved by Moynihan. 

The Mariners had three corner kicks in a two minute span midway through the 2nd half but first-year goalkeeper Jackson Leach (Farmingdale, Maine) was up the task, keeping the Mariners off the scoreboard. 

Leach was great all afternoon for the Beavers, recording four saves and controlling the penalty area, winning several balls out of the air. 

Moynihan picked up 1 save for the Mariners. 

With the victory the Beavers improve to 7-6-2 on the season with a record of 5-2 in NAC play. The Mariners move to 7-5-2 and 4-2-1 in conference play.

UP NEXT

The Beavers travel to Bates College on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference battle set to kick-off at 3:00 PM.