Beverly, MA – Husson men's soccer defeated Endicott College on Friday evening in the first round of the annual Gull Invitational by a score of 1-0. The match marked the 2014 season opener for both teams. It is also the first time since 2006 that Husson men's soccer has won its opening match. In the 51st minute Husson senior Andy Stevick (Rockport, Maine) earned the game-winner off a penalty kick. 

The first half was a battle between the two teams that saw 14 shots from the Gulls and four from the Eagles. Brian Potter (Waterville, ME) made four first half saves and nine on the night to record his 14th career shutout, ranking him second all-time in program history.

The second half featured a resilient Endicott offense who posted 17 shots while forcing 10 corners. In the 51st minute Stevick was on a run competing with freshman back, Carter Ocko (Danvers, Mass.) and forced a foul in the box. Given the penalty kick opportunity Stevick tallied the lone goal of the evening with a mid-ball to the right side that slipped past senior goalkeeper Alex Jorge (Billerica, Mass.).

Jorge ended the night with two saves while Potter finished with nine.

Husson head coach Jeff Gettler said of the victory, "This was an important win for us tonight. We played a very even first half with a strong Endicott team. Then, at the beginning of the second half, Libbey got taken down in the box and Stevick capitalized on a penalty kick. We held out for a big team win, and Potter was fantastic for us. We'll turn around to prepare to face a nationally ranked Montclair State team tomorrow now."

With the loss, Endicott falls to 0-1 (0-0 CCC) while the Eagles earned their first victory of the season starting at 1-0 (0-0 NAC). Endicott will compete with Skidmore College tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. for the Gull invitational consolation match while Husson will look to face ninth-ranked Montclair State University in the invitational championship at 4:00 p.m. at Endicott Stadium.