FARMINGTON, Maine – The University of Maine at Farmington women's soccer team was unable to overcome a two-goal first-half deficit, falling in a competitive North Atlantic Conference (NAC) matchup to Maine Maritime Academy,
2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Leib Field.
The Records:
The loss was the Beavers' first since September 13 at Wellesley, moving them to
6-3-1 overall and
4-1-1 in NAC play. Maine Maritime improved to
8-2-0 overall and
4-0-0 in the conference with the victory.
How It Happened:
The Beavers controlled much of the possession in the opening half, but a pair of quick counterattacks by the Mariners resulted in two goals, giving Maine Maritime a 2-0 halftime lead.
Hadley Stoddard opened the scoring in the 8th minute, taking a feed from
Cora Brewster and slipping around a Farmington defender before firing a strike into the back of the net. The goal came just seconds after UMF senior
Natalie Tracy (Oakland, Maine) had a shot whistle just wide on the opposite end.
Stoddard struck again in the 24th minute, taking a long ball from
Natalee Orr and breaking free for a one-on-one with Farmington goalkeeper
Paige Gonya (Sabattus, Maine). Despite a strong effort from Gonya to close the angle, Stoddard slotted the ball
home to make it 2-0.
Farmington's best first-half chance came in the 41st minute when junior
Peyton Gonya (Sabattus, Maine) blocked a Mariner clearance, chased down the loose ball, and broke in alone on goal. However,
Isa Thesing came off her line to make a key save and preserve the two-goal advantage at halftime.
Tracy wasted no time cutting the deficit early in the second half, beating a pair of defenders and firing a shot into the back of the net for her
16th goal of the season, making it 2-1.
The Beavers continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, generating several dangerous chances, but the Mariners' defense held firm and managed the clock effectively to secure the crucial NAC win.
Stats of the Game:
- Shots: Farmington 14, Maine Maritime 7
- Shots on Goal: Farmington 6, Maine Maritime 4
- Corner Kicks: Maine Maritime 7, Farmington 4
The Goalkeepers:
Paige Gonya made
two saves for the Beavers in the hard-fought loss.
Isa Thesing recorded
five saves for the Mariners to earn the win.
UP NEXT
The Beavers return to action Sunday afternoon for a non-conference matchup at home against
Fisher College. Kickoff is scheduled for
1:00 p.m.
