DARTMOUTH, Mass. — The fourth-seeded University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs used a 9-2 surge in the second half to erase a four-goal deficit, then held off a frantic comeback bid by the fifth-seeded University of Southern Maine Huskies to post a 16- 15 victory in a first-round game of the Little East Conference Championship Tournament at Cressy Field Tuesday night.

With the win, the Corsairs, now 11-6, move on to the semifinal round against top-seeded and regular-season champion Plymouth State University. The Huskies concluded their season at 9-8.

Ahead 10-7 at halftime, the Huskies opened the second half by increasing their lead to four on a goal from sophomore Ruth Nadeau of Bath.

From that point, the Corsairs scored five consecutive goals to erase the Huskies’ lead and assume a 12-11 lead.

Nadeau tied the game at 20:40, converting a free-position attempt.

Down by three, a quick goal from Nadeau closed the gap to two, and junior Aliza Jordan scored in the final minute to give the Huskies a chance at forcing the game into overtime, but the Corsairs were able to run out the clock after a Huskies turnover.

Nadeau led USM with a career-best seven points on six goals and one assist.