FARMINGTON, Maine - The Husson University women's soccer team traveled to Leib Field on Wednesday afternoon and took down the University of Maine at Farmington, 4-0 in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) battle. The Eagles scored three goals over a seven minute span in the 2nd half to put the game away.
The game began with a frantic start as both teams had golden opportunities to score in the opening 70 seconds. Husson had the first opportunity as a back pass did not connect for the Beavers allowing Natalie Aviolla to be in alone with sophomore goalkeeper Paige Gonya (Sabattus, Maine). Gonya raced off her line to meet Aviolla at the top of the box and denied her point blank to keep the game scoreless early.
Junior forward Abby Lash (Waldoboro, Maine) had a fantastic opportunity to get the Beavers on the board 65 seconds into the game when Husson goalkeeper Madison Weigler fell attempting to play a ball outside of the penalty area. Lash was in alone behind Weigler but her shot missed to the right.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute when Devon St. Louis put home a rebound to give the Eagles 1-0 lead. Gonya made the initial save on a shot from distance made by Lindsey Russell. Unfortunately the rebound fell right to St. Louis who had an open net to slide the close ranged shot in.
The Eagles held a 1-0 heading into the 2nd half but were quickly able to extend it to the tune of three goals in seven minutes to take a 4-0 lead. Aviola scored a pair of unassisted goals and then assisted on a goal from Addi Laslie.
Aviolla's first goal came when she got behind the Beavers backline and was in alone with Gonya again. Yet again Gonya stood tall and made the initial save, the rebound was unable to be cleared as it found its way back to Aviolla who did not miss the second opportunity.
Aviolla found the back of the goal again just five minutes later as a clear attempt from the Beavers bounced off a Husson forward and bounced right to Aviolla who slid a shot into the bottom left corner.
Aviolla continued her strong stretch carrying the ball along the right sideline and ripping a cross into the box that drilled Laslie in the armpit. Luckily for the Eagles it hit just right as it deflected into the goal to make it a 4-0 game.
Sophomore Grace White (Waldoboro, Maine) had a great chance to score in the 75th minute when she redirected a cross out the air on net but Weigler was positioned correctly to make the save.
Gonya was very good in goal for the Beavers today, tallying nine saves. Weigler made four saves in the win for the Eagles.
Husson held advantages in shots (23-7), shots on goal (13-4), and corner kicks (2-1).
The Beavers dropped to 5-8-1 on the season with a 3-3 record in NAC play. The Eagles improved to 9-4-1 with a 5-0 record in conference games.
UP NEXT
The Beavers travel to Castine, Maine on Saturday afternoon to take on Maine Maritime Academy in an important NAC contest. The game is set to begin at 1 PM.
