MSOC: Late Southern Maine penalty kick dashes Panthers’ playoff hopes

GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Nick Ferro (Smithfield, R.I.) scored for the second straight game, but the University of Southern Maine converted a second-half penalty kick to defeat Plymouth State University, 2-1, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men’s soccer matchup at Hannaford Field on Wednesday night. Needing a win to secure a playoff spot, the Panthers took a 1-0 lead on Ferro’s third goal of the season in the 33rd minute. Southern Maine responded with the equalizer just three minutes later, and the teams went into halftime tied, 1-1. A Southern Maine penalty kick in the 67th minute slipped just…