GORHAM, Maine - Senior Martin Finnerty (Milton, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal with 1:11 remaining in regulation to thwart a valiant comeback by the University of Southern Maine Huskies and lead the visiting University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons to an 8-7 triumph in Little East Conference action on Tuesday afternoon at the Paula Hodgdon Field.

The win was the second consecutive one-goal decision for the Beacons, who improve to 5-7 overall and 3-2 in the conference. UMB will host Salve Regina University on Thursday. Southern Maine slipped to 2-7 overall and 0-3 in the LEC. The Huskies travel to Salem State College on Thursday.

The game appeared to be a rout through the first half, as the Beacons grabbed a 4-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes, and built a commanding 6-1 advantage with 4:05 remaining in the half. However, the Huskies rallied for six consecutive goals, culminating with a strike from sophomore Matt Butler (Barnstable, Mass.) to forge a 7-6 lead with 7:14 remaining.

The Beacons tied the affair on a goal by freshman Steven Cappellini (Hanson, Mass.) 14 second later off the ensuing faceoff, before Finnerty netted the decisive goal. Southern Maine received a pair of goals from Butler and freshman Kevin McKay (Gardiner, Maine), while freshman Paul Dubiel (Billerica, Mass.), sophomore Sean Favreau (Sabattus, Maine) and junior Dan Soule (South Portland, Maine) contributed a single goal each.

Senior Joshua Stolp (Hingham, Mass.) scored a hat trick for the Beacons, while Cappellini added two goals, and senior Chris Espinola (Lowell, Mass.) and Jon Marino (Duxbury, Mass.) had a goal apiece.

Freshman goalie Jeff Lamoreux (Milton, Mass.) turned aside 12 shots for the Huskies, while freshman Nick Eaton (Rowley, Mass.) had 15 saves for the Beacons.