GORHAM, Maine – The Husson University field hockey team wasted no time seizing control Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field, scoring twice in the opening 11 minutes and never looking back in a 4–1 non-conference victory over the University of Southern Maine.
The Eagles (1-4) jumped ahead just 49 seconds in when senior Maddie Perkins buried a rebound off a penalty corner from junior Faith Tillotson for her third goal of the season. Husson kept the pressure on, earning multiple corners and outshooting the Huskies 8–1. Perkins struck again at 10:46, finishing another Tillotson corner for a quick 2–0 lead. Freshman goalie Ella Duchette closed the period with a save to preserve the advantage.
Southern Maine earned a penalty stroke at 17:14, but Duchette denied Jaigan Boudreau to keep the shutout intact. Moments later, Husson extended the margin to 3–0 as senior Averi Baker fired home her first goal of the season at 18:20 following another Tillotson corner. The Huskies pulled one back at 29:52 when Bri Townsend converted a rebound off an HJ Tuplin assist to make it 3–1 heading into halftime.
The hosts pushed hard, generating six shots and four penalty corners, but Duchette was outstanding with five saves in the third period. Husson's defense held firm despite a Southern Maine flurry and a Husson penalty stroke that sailed wide at 34:27.
Husson regained momentum in the fourth as Baker set up freshman Isabel Folsom for a back-post finish and her first collegiate goal at 47:22 to cap the scoring. The Eagles continued to pressure late, earning four penalty corners in the final five minutes and forcing several saves.
Duchette finished with 10 saves on 11 shots on goal, while Husson held a 17–14 edge in shots and an 11–8 advantage in penalty corners.
Perkins led the attack with two goals on four shots, while Baker tallied a goal and an assist.
The Eagles return to action on Tuesday when they open Central Maine Collegiate Field Hockey Conference play at the University of Maine at Farmington at 4 p.m.