BENNINGTON, VT -- Southern Vermont used a pair of second half goals from Noah Massucci in anchoring a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Lynx, keeping sole possession of first place and preventing Lesley from grasping a share of the top spot in the New England Collegiate Conference. 

Ahmed Abubakar scored Lesley's only goal, which came on an assist from defender Sean Randall just nine minutes into the contest. The Lynx dominated the first half, controlling the ball to the tune of five corner kicks to only one for the Mountaineers and outshot the hosts 14-4, but went into intermission with only a one-goal lead.

Switching sides, it was Massucci and the Mountaineers who struck out first of the break, as the junior picked an opportune time for his first goal of 2011. A Tommy Youngblood corner kick was redirected by Lynx keeper Max Perkins, and Massucci took advantage of the deflection in tying the contest at 1-1 at 50:25.

Late in a more evenly played second half, Southern Vermont looked as if it was headed for its second straight overtime game, but Massucci got free again in the waning minutes. The defender got over the top of the Lynx defense, took a pass from Conor Murray and chipped Perkins for his second goal of the half, a game-winner at 85:09.

Perkins made four saves on the day, while Mounties keeper Conor Anniello made six. Lesley outshot Southern 21-9 and earned a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.

At 10-4-1 and 4-2 in NECC play, Lesley drops to fourth place. Southern Vermont, at 11-4-1 and 6-0-1 in conference, can win its first NECC regular season title with a win over last-place Wheelock on the Mountaineers Senior Day on Saturday.

The Lynx travel to Mitchell on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.