Box Score CASTINE, Maine – Benjamin Russell (Farmington, Maine) kicked in a pair of goals to lead Maine Maritime to a 3-0 win over Maine-Machias Wednesday night. The Mariners (2-0-1) limited the Clippers (0-1) to 11 shots in posting their third shutout in as many games this season.
Russell wasted no time in tallying the second game-winning goal of his career. A serve from 30 yards out into the box bounced off of a Machias defender onto his foot. He sent it home just 54 seconds into the game.
It was the 54th minute before the Mariners struck again. That's when Nick El-Hajj (Winterport, Maine) kicked home his second of the season. The play started with a set piece just above the top left corner of the box that devolved into a scramble. Chad McDonnell (E. Lyme Conn.) got a soft touch that was headed towards the goal, while El-Hajj gave it enough juice to send it over the goalline for the 2-0 lead at 53:14.
Russell struck again on another scramble situation when Nate Tipton (West Chester, Pa.) inserted a pass from the right corner to make it 3-0.
The Mariners fired 16 shots at Luis Herrera. He came up with six stops. Machias was able to get 11 shots off in the game, but only managed to put two on the frame. William Trace Lacour (Charlottesville, Va.) denied them both.
Maine Maritime returns to action on Saturday at Maine-Presque Isle. They'll face Maine-Fort Kent on Sunday.
Me.-Machias (0-1) vs. Maine Maritime (2-0-1)
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Me.-Machias......... 0 0 - 0
Maine Maritime...... 1 2 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 0:54 MMA Benjamin Russell (1) (unassisted)
2. 53:14 MMA Nick El-Hajj (2) (Chad McDonnell)
3. 68:21 MMA Benjamin Russell (2) (Nate Tipton)
Shots: Me.-Machias 11, Maine Maritime 16
Saves: Me.-Machias 6 (Luis Herrera 6), Maine Maritime 2 (William Lacour 2)
