The University of Maine women’s soccer team dropped a pair of decisions this week, first on the road in a 1-0 decision at Holy Cross on Friday and then at home to Northeastern University 4-0. The Black Bears see their record slip to 1-5 on the young season. Next they will host North Dakota State University at home Sept. 12 at 4 pm.
Black Bears Drop Heartbreaker to Holy Cross
UMaine began the weekend series in Worcester, Massachusetts, taking on the undefeated Crusaders. Maine and Holy Cross played to a 0-0 draw at the end of the first half before the Crusaders broke through in the 78th minute.
Holy Cross senior forward Gina Righini began the play when she passed the ball between two Maine defenders. She found freshman forward Kara Shaw, who had snuck behind the Black Bear defense inside the 18 yard box. Shaw quickly fired the ball past the charging keeper, senior Elise Applegate, who was unable to make the save for Maine. That would prove to be the difference as Holy Cross went on to win 1-0.
Holy Cross improved to 4-0-0, and continue their perfect start, the best in almost 30 years.
The one bright spot for UMaine was the performance by their goalkeeper Elise Applegate. Applegate, a senior who saw action in only one match in the last three seasons, got the start. In her collegiate debut, she made nine saves and held the Holy Cross offense to only one goal, a season low for the Crusaders who have averaged 3.25 goals per match this season.
UMaine continues to struggle on offense, having scored only 2 goals over the course of five matches and 43 shots, a percentage of just .047. The two goals on the season have come of the foot of junior midfielder Charlene Achille.
Achille did not start in the match against Holy Cross, and the offense floundered. There is young talent in the forward position for Maine, and it will be up to the veteran forwards to nurse the offense back to health.
The Black Bears also could tighten up their defense, after allowing 66 shots on goal through the first five matches. Having only given up six goals on the season, some credit can be given to the defense and the goalkeeping. Sophomore goalkeeper Claudia Dube-Trempe has played very well for Maine. Dube-Trempe has a goals against average of just .067 over 270 minutes of play this season. She has played well in her two years at Maine, seeing playing time last season in an America East semi-finals draw against StonyBrook.
UMaine Injuries Catch up to Them
The Black Bears have been dealing with six injuries to their squad and their absence was never more evident than in their 4-0 loss to Northeastern on Sunday.
Northeastern came out strong with a goal from 6’ ten seconds into the game, scored by sophomore Taylor Caparo and assisted by fellow sophomore Kimberley Slade.
“It’s so important to come out strong, especially against a great team like Maine. It‘s so hard to play here,” admitted Huskies head coach Tracy Leone.
UMaine head coach Scott Atherley likewise noted the early goal as one of the driving forces of the game.
“Credit Northeastern. They’re one of the best teams in the region. They’re going to come out fast.”
The game settled down quickly after the Huskies’ first score. The rest of the first half remained largely quiet, with neither team able to take control until the Huskies scored their second goal just before the half. Senior Lahaina Zoller scored the goal off a rebound in the box. Unfortunately for the Black Bears, the Huskies’ two goals in the half were scored at two of the most damaging times to a team’s morale: right at the start of the game and right before halftime.
The Black Bears came out in the second half with energy despite being down 2-0. Junior Captain Noelle Leon-Palmer credited her team on their ability to remain focused and positive.
“We have a lot of experience,” said Leon-Palmer of her team. “We said ‘hey, we have forty-five minutes. They scored two goals in that time, so can we.’”
There was a noticeable improvement in play for much of the second half. The dagger, however, came at 64:12 when sophomore Mackenzie Dowd scored off a corner kick, assisted by freshman Carly Wilhelm.
“It was very important to stay focused and keep attacking,” said Leone. “2-0 is the most dangerous lead in all of soccer, especially against a great team like Maine.”
The Huskies scored their fourth and final goal fairly late in the game at 79:58 when sophomore Haley Sinclair scored off of a cross from 29’, assisted by fellow sophomore Nicole Wilkins.
Despite the difficult weekend, the Black Bears are still looking ahead to the rest of their season with optimism.
“The silver lining is that a lot of players who we didn’t expect to get playing time are getting a lot of experience,” said Coach Atherley.
“We’ll watch film and grow,” said Leon-Palmer. “We just have to get healthy.