By Jacob Posik
The University of Maine women’s soccer team moves to 3-2-2 on the season after getting shutout in both contests over the weekend. Sophomore midfielder Charlene Achille led the Black Bears with four shots on net, and sophomore goaltender Lauren Swant produced her third shutout of the season.
VCU stifles UMaine offense for 2-0 win
The Black Bears suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams in a tournament hosted by VCU in Richmond, Va Friday night. VCU improves their record to 3-4 on the year after handing UMaine its second consecutive loss.
The Rams accomplished something no other Black Bear opponent has been able to so far this season: get more than one goal past UMaine sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Swant.
The first goal came from senior forward Courtney Conrad in the 47th minute of action. Fellow senior forward Jessie Krasko sent a cross into the box from the right side where Conrad was waiting to put home her second goal of the season and give the Rams the 1-0 lead.
VCU’s insurance marker came just two minutes later off the foot of redshirt sophomore midfielder Jackie Ernest. Sophomore midfielder Sharon Wojcik found Ernest open inside the box after settling a cross from sophomore defender Abbey Ritter. Ernest slid it home for her first collegiate goal and a 2-0 VCU advantage.
The Black Bears’ two shots on goal in the game were both turned aside by redshirt sophomore netminder Emma Kruse. UMaine sophomore midfielder Charlene Achille forced Kruse to make a diving save around the 53rd minute to preserve her first shutout of the season. UMaine sophomore forward Eve L’Abbe produced the Black Bears’ second opportunity of the game.
Swant tallied one save on three shots in net for the Black Bears, who were outshot 15-3 on Friday.
UMaine settles for 0-0 draw against Richmond
The Black Bears battled to a scoreless draw with Richmond University in double overtime Sunday afternoon in the tournament at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Spiders move to 2-4-2 following the tie.
Richmond had several scoring opportunities in the first half of action when they outshot the Black Bears 5-2.
UMaine dictated play in the second half, however, outshooting the Spiders by a 7-2 margin. The Black Bear defense didn’t allow a shot on net in the first overtime while getting off three of their own. Both teams had a pair of chances in the second period of extra time. The Black Bears held the edge in shots overall, 16-9, including a 5-4 advantage in shots on net.
UMaine’s best chance came from Achille in the first half of regulation, but Richmond sophomore goalie Emily Kelly was able to stuff the attempt. The sophomore led the Black Bears in shots on the day with three.
Swant stopped four shots in net for UMaine to secure her third shutout of the season. Kelly mustered five stops for the Rams.
Swant has been great in net for the Black Bears so far this season, only giving up one multi-goal game. Seven games into the season, Swant is allowing only .71 goals per game.
UMaine takes to the road once again when they match up against Northeastern University in Boston Sept. 20 before facing off against the Big Green of Dartmouth College Sept. 22.