BANGOR, Maine - After falling behind by a goal, Cai Pritchard scored a brace in a span of seven minutes to help earn the Eagles a 2-1 victory over the Maine Maritime Mariners in the first game played on the newly surfaced Boucher Field on Sunday night. 

IN THE ACTION:

Chances were back-and-forth to start the match as the Eagles' closest opportunity of the half came in the 26th minute as a cross came from the right side into the box found Pritchard who sent a lofty header clanging off the crossbar. The 40th minute saw the same result for Maine Maritime as a free kick on the edge of the box was curled by Reuben Harrison into the top corner of the crossbar. The opening goal of the match came just moments later as Brad McKechnie launched a ball into the box, and a missed clearance by the Eagles, gifted Pieter Oudejans a tap-in to give the visitors the lead at the break, 1-0.

In the second half, the Eagles outshot the Mariners, 9-3, and the results showed. In the 61st minute, Pritchard was brought down inside the box and earned a penalty kick for the Eagles. He spotted the ball on the dot and ripped a shot into the bottom right corner to level the game at one. The Eagles kept the pressure on and earned the game winner in the 67th minute. Kenny Penney received the ball at the edge of the box and laid it off to Pritchard who took a touch before firing a curler into the bottom left corner. The best chance for the Mariners to make a comeback, happened in the 83rd minute as they snuck behind the Husson defense, but a rushing Kiko Sanchez Rico ran it down and cleared the ball away as the Eagles closed out the 2-1 victory. 

Remarks from Coach Penny: "I am proud of the lads tonight. They gave everything in a collective team effort to restore some pride after our defeat to MMA 17 months ago. It's been a long time since we played competitive football and our team is missing many competitive bodies who are chomping at the bit to return this fall. The lads that played, put in a tremendous shift and showed great character to come back from a goal down. It was a great first competitive contest on our new field and a statement as to what can be accomplished when we return the other half of our team and add to the quality of players we saw out there tonight. Overall, very happy. Thoroughly deserved win."

IN BETWEEN THE POSTS:

Benjamin Powell started the match and earned the victory after stopping two shots. Sam Cusson came in for the final 8:40 and saw the match out for the Eagles. For the Mariners, Trevor Gray started the match and stopped six shots before Maxwell Tomlin came in for the final 15:10 and saw off two shots. 

UP NEXT!

The Eagles will close out their mini season next month when they travel to Waterville to take on the Terriers with a scheduled date of Sunday, April 18th and a game time to be announced.