HOCKEY

Pirates release three players to ECHL clubs, trimming roster to 24 as the season nears

Forwards Mark Voakes and Tim Kraus and defenseman Brian Kilburg were released Monday from the Portland Pirates' training camp.

The moves cut the AHL team's roster to 24 player heading into Wednesday night's preseason finale against the University of New Brunswick at the Portland Ice Arena.

Later this week, Kraus and Kilburg will both report to the ECHL's Ontario Reign in California. Voakes will report to the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones.

COLLEGES

MEN'S SOCCER: Kiel Hiller scored a pair of goals to lift the University of New England (7-1) to a 3-2 victory over Newbury College (0-7) in a nonconference game at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Kevin Tarr also scored a goal for the Nor'easters.

BASEBALL

EASTERN LEAGUE: The Portland Sea Dogs have announced their home schedule for the 2010 season. The home opener is set for Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. against the Trenton Thunder. The Sea Dogs will open the season on the road on April 8.

Season tickets for the 2010 season are currently on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale at the Hadlock Field box office on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9 a.m. Phone and Internet orders will begin at noon on the same day.

SOCCER

MLS: New England Revolution captain Steve Ralston will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

Ralston tore the ACL in his right knee during the Revolution's 2-1 win Saturday against the Seattle Sounders FC. He came down awkwardly while going for a ball, and is expected to have surgery.

Ralston, 35, ranked second on the team in goals (7) and assists (7) while appearing in 20 games this season. He is the MLS career leader in games played with 378.