UMaine captures tourney> Black Bears beat Cincinnati in final

CLEVELAND – University of Maine men’s soccer coach Scott Atherley did not expect his senior-laden team to get off to a 1-3 start.

But it appears as though the problems that led to that 1-3 start were remedied in Cleveland this weekend as the Bears nipped the University of Cincinnati 2-1 to win the Charter One Bank Soccer Classic.

Maine had advanced to the final by beating Miami University of Ohio 4-3 Friday evening while Cincinnati upset host Cleveland State 2-1.

Cleveland State and Miami tied 2-2 in the consolation game.

“The most gratifying things about the weekend were, number one, we finished our chances. And the second thing was that we finally identified the problem of why we weren’t playing as well as we were capable of playing,” said Atherley. “We weren’t being predictable for each other. We weren’t playing quickly enough in terms of one or two touches. We have been playing, collectively, as individuals.

“As a result, we weren’t getting a great deal of possession and when you don’t get a great deal of possession, you face a great deal of transition so you’re constantly defending,” said Atherley. “Then you get tired and frustrated.”

Tournament Most Valuable Player Jake Ouimet, who got the game-winner on Friday night, scored both goals in Saturday’s championship game giving him five on the season.

Kyle Gray assisted on the first one and Byron Brown, playing in his first collegiate game, set up the second one.

Nathan Benoit made four saves on 12 shots for the 3-3 Bears.

Tim Hamm scored for 2-5-1 Cincinnati off a Bill Hamilton assist and goalie Mike Mobley made two saves on 16 shots.

Joining Ouimet on the all-tourney team were midfielder Gray, sweeper Paul Kelly and marking back Dan Noblet.

Atherley said Noblet did an “outstanding job” marking the nation’s leading scorer, Miami’s Dustin Swinehart (11 goals), on Friday and said Ouimet deserved his MVP award because he finished the majority of his chances.

He also praised Jared Morse, who was moved from outside midfield to central midfield.

“He controlled the midfield for us,” said Atherley, whose Bears will host Hofstra on Friday afternoon at 3 and Drexel at noon on Sunday in their North Atlantic Conference openers.