Bangor, ME – CMCC Men's Soccer opened their USCAA national title defense by netting three goals to cruise past Husson University in exhibition play. The Mustangs used 20 different players to stretch their legs against the NCAA DIII opposition, including 11 freshmen. Newcomer Daniel Semple, and returners Massimo Di Pilato and Stephan Samba, each scored a goal while captain Mitch Cameron provided two assists.

"Defensively, we looked good," said head coach Dalton Wing. "Offensively, we just have to connect more in the midfield, but other than that, for only having five training sessions so far, I thought we played well."

The Eagles and Mustangs met for the fifth straight year, with this season's game being contested over three thirty-minute periods. Matthew Greco nearly had a dream start in the first two minutes, pouncing on a loose ball, but seeing his rising shot tipped over the bar. Husson did find their rhythm and looked more comfortable in the opening minutes at John P. Boucher Field with rain falling steadily, but it was the visitors who took the lead.

First-year Semple, out of Frodsham, England, opened the scoring thanks to another Brit. Midfielder Cameron, from Northwich, England, struck a powerful shot from the top of the box that was parried, with the forward on hand to tap in the rebound for his first goal on American soil.

It was 2-0 with a few minutes left before the first break. Defender Di Pilato knocked in a cross from Cameron to double the advantage. It was the Montreal, QC native's second tally in a Central Maine shirt. Goalkeeper Cody Cleaveland made a spectacular stop to deny a one-on-one chance to keep the hosts scoreless.

Both teams made plenty of changes throughout the match, looking to get as many players as possible some time on the field in the early stage of the season. Samba took advantage of a goalkeeping change to make it 3-0 just before the midway point of the match. The midfielder curled a long-range shot from more than 35 yards out into the top corner, before celebrating with his signature back flip.

The Mustangs used the final half hour to try out different combinations with a lineup made of mostly first-year players. CMCC appeared to be heading toward a clean sheet before the hosts scored in the dying seconds. The Eagles pounced on a loose ball after a tackle at the right corner of the penalty area before guiding a shot just inside the far post with the final kick of the match.

Central Maine visits one more NCAA opponent with a trip to Maine Maritime Academy in September before opening the YSCC portion of its schedule.