BIDDEFORD — The University of New England men’s soccer team registered a 2-1 non-conference victory over Maine Maritime Academy in the season-opener for both squads on Friday evening Barbara J. Hazard Field.

The two sides have met each of the last three years to start the season — the Nor’easters (1-0) now have a 2-0-1 advantage over the Mariners (0-1) in the those contests.

UNE sophomore Ryan Stephens began the scoring in the 15th minute, blasting a shot off the goalie’s legs and into the left corner of the net. Graduate student Matthew Christie set up Stephens’ one-timer over on the right side with a cross through the box.

Maine Maritime nearly equaled the match in the 28th minute, as a flick-header directed at the upper left corner from junior Kyle Haslam was denied with a diving stab by UNE senior netminder Aidan McParland.

UNE doubled the margin in the 71st minute, when senior Sean Goodrich slotted a free kick from just outside the box through a crowd in front and into the right side netting.

The Mariners got one back in the 87th minute on a penalty kick conversion by senior Gabriel Warren, but, despite upping the pressure in the final moments, could not find another goal before time expired.

McParland logged seven saves for the Nor’easters, who were out-shot 15-9. On the opposite end, first-year Marshall Spear made three stops for MMA.

Women’s Soccer

STANDISH — The University of New England received goals from four different players ”“ two in each half ”“ on its way to a 4-1 victory over Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in a women’s soccer mutual-opener Friday afternoon at Westerlea Way Field.

The win was the Nor’easters’ first season-opening triumph in three seasons and moves them a game closer to .500 (8-9-2) in the all-time series with the Monks.

A pair of Scarborough, Maine natives did the first-half scoring for UNE, with sophomore Jessica Meader and senior Margaret Palmer finding the back of the net. Meader tallied in the 31st minute, and Palmer extended the lead with just under four minutes remaining in the frame.

Katelyn Pierson and Kayla Hamel notched second-half goals for the Nor’easters.