BIDDEFORD — In Ryan Tarr's freshman season at the University of New England, the men's soccer team allowed 41 goals.

Four years later, from his post at sweeper, Tarr sees a brighter future.

Despite a 1-0 loss to Curry College on Tuesday afternoon, the Nor'easters are off to their best start in almost 20 years.

The reason? "There's better heart," said Tarr, a senior from Hermon. "The guys really want to play. We go hard every day. We mesh as a team. It's an 11-man unit instead of 11 guys."

The Nor'easters (7-4, 4-3 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference) haven't had a winning season since 1997 when they went 13-6-1.

This season, under Coach Andy Biggs, they've allowed just 13 goals and have won five games by a single goal each.

"I think we've been playing our best soccer," said goalie Jon Planer of Yarmouth, who transferred to UNE a year before the soccer program at the University of Maine was suspended because of budget problems. "I love playing here."

UNE appeared headed to overtime against Curry until Zachary Kumin scored in the 80th minute to break open a defensive deadlock.

"In the second half I think we had more intensity and finally cashed in on a chance," said Curry Coach Peter Mendel. "But (Biggs) has done a great job. They play very composed. They're very good on the ball."

"In years past they were more of a middle-of-the-pack team and they're making their way to the top now."

The Nor'easters had won six straight from Sept. 12-28 and are now in a three-game losing streak.

That is a challenge, said Biggs, who took over the program from his father in 2006, but nothing insurmountable.

"We've had the ups of a six-game win streak and now the downs of a three-game losing streak," said Biggs. "If we can think of the things we've done well, it will propel us forward. They just have to keep believing in what we're doing."

Biggs said he teaches a possession-oriented game that builds its attack through skill and athleticism.

"I think we're close," said Biggs. "There's a great commitment from this team. These guys can tell we're very close."

Kiel Hiller, a sophomore from Galloway, N.J., leads UNE in scoring with seven goals and three assists and is the leagues' top shot taker, averaging 4.4 a game.

• Sophomore field hockey forward Michelle Oswald of Jay was named Commonwealth Coast Conference offensive player of the week after scoring three goals against Thomas College last week. The Nor'easters are 5-2 overall, 2-1 in conference games.

• Sisters Kristin and Monica Meza scored goals to help the women's soccer team win consecutive overtime victories this season. Monica scored in overtime against Endicott on Sept. 26. Three days later Kristin scored in OT for a 3-2 win at Salve Regina.

SOUTHERN MAINE

Freshman tennis player Kristine Brammer was named Little East Conference rookie of the week after helping the Huskies to a pair of 9-0 nonconference wins over Thomas. She had two 6-0, 6-0 wins in No. 1 singles and a pair of 8-0 wins at No. 2 doubles. The Huskies take on Colby-Sawyer today at 4 p.m.

• Heidi DeHaan, a junior midfielder for the women's soccer team, was named LEC offensive player of the week. DeHaan scored the tying goal and assisted on the winner to help USM to a 3-2 win over UMass-Dartmouth.

• Men's soccer midfielder Alex Burnham of North Yarmouth was named LEC offensive player of the week.

Burnham scored once and assisted on two goals in a 3-0 win over Colby, the program's first win over the White Mules since 1982. He is tied with South Portland's Nick Johnson and Scarborough's Peter McHugh with three assists.

The Huskies (5-4) play Bates at Gorham at 4:30 p.m. today.

• Field hockey defender Bethany Bougie of Sanford was named LEC defensive player of the week after two assists in a pair of wins last week. The...