BANGOR, Maine - Sophomore Mario Alvarez puts home a brace as the Husson University men's soccer team has advanced to the North Atlantic Conference East Divisional Championship game on Sunday after a 3-2 victory over Maine Maritime Academy at Boucher Field.

The first half was an even contest until around the 20th minute when the Eagles (13-3-2) took over. The Eagles would be awarded in the 26th minute when freshman Miguel Morales made a run inside the box and was hacked down for a penalty kick. Sophomore Mario Alvarez stepped up and had his penalty kick saved before putting home the rebound.

The Eagles would hold a 1-0 lead to start the second half as the Mariners (5-10-1) found the equalizer in the 63rd minute by Ronald Morgan.

Alvarez would put home his second of the game on a free kick before freshman Miguel Morales put home his first collegiate goal via a brilliant cross by sophomore Alejandro Mora to give Husson a 3-1 lead.

The Mariners would get a goal back but their comeback wasn't enough as the Eagles held on with a 3-2 victory.

"What a pulsating match," said head coach Gavin Penny. "My heart rate has just about returned to normal. We created a lot of chances and needed to be better in front of goal. I felt some things went against us that allowed them to score 2, but we cannot control everything. We need to focus on what we can do and be the best at doing that. MMA have worked incredibly hard tonight to stop us playing and turned it into a game we didn't want to play. To their credit, it worked. We couldn't do what we do best because of the way they played. But we have come through an intense battle and are still alive and in hunt of a championship. It's what we have set our sights on and we have given ourselves 90 more minutes to crack on. We'll look forward to another shot on Sunday."

The Eagles will play host on Sunday against the winner of the Thomas/UMaine-Farmington for a spot in the NAC Championship Game next weekend. Sunday's contest will kickoff at noon.