WALTHAM, Mass. - Parker Higgins scored with 2:13 remaining to lift Bentley men's soccer to a 2-1 victory over No. 2 nationally ranked Southern New Hampshire on Tuesday.

Bentley kept its perfect NE10 record intact at 4-0 and improved to 6-1-1 overall. The Penmen, who jumped one spot to 2^nd in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll, suffered their first defeat of the season and dropped to 7-1-2.

With the game tied 1-1, Bentley built up the pressure in search of the winning goal and moments before the winner, a shot down the right wing by Michael Gouvin resulted in SNHU keeper Alvaro Garcia having to make a tough save to tip the ball over the net.

That led to a corner kick that was played short by Logan Veloria to Gouvin, who quickly played the ball back to Veloria, who then sent a high cross into the box. Wynn Hammond won the initial header on the far post into the six-yard box. Finn Bride then won the next header to create the chance for Higgins who poked the ball in from close range for the goal to set off a wild celebration on Bentley's sideline.

The Falcons then held on for the final two-plus minutes, which included stopping the Penmen on a free kick from close range.

SNHU took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute on a goal by Gabriel Castro and they stayed in front until Gouvin scored the tying goal in the 82^nd minute. A ball sent in by Owen MacKinnon from midfield pinged around and found its way to Gouvin, who fired a shot from 18 yards that beat Garcia to the top corner.

Bentley now has a two-point lead atop the standings, with their next match on Saturday at home against St. Michael's for Senior Day.