Both the Maine field hockey and women’s soccer teams were in action against non-conference opponents on Sunday. The field hockey team was at home, while soccer played their final non-conference matchup of the 2019 season on the road.
At the Maine Field Hockey Complex in Orono, the visiting Columbia Lions took a 3-0 first half lead and then held off the rallying #24 ranked Black Bears for a 3-2 win.
Allison Smith got things started for Columbia just 1:02 into the first quarter. Kelsey Farkas extended the lead with a penalty stroke marker at 6:40. The Lions continued their hot start as Farkas scored again at 17:20 of the first half (second quarter) for a 3-0 advantage. Chloe Walton got Maine (1-4) on the board before halftime scoring at the 27:06 mark. Brianna Ricker scored at 38:47 to get the Bears within a goal. The hosts pushed for the equalizer with four attempted shots on goal in the fourth quarter, but Columbia held on to improve to 4-1.
Columbia outshot Maine 11-5 in shots on goal and had a 4-3 advantage in penalty corners. Alexa Conomikes made three saves in the cage to get the win for Lions, while Mia Borley made seven in the Black Bear loss. Maine will host Northeastern Friday at 3 p.m.
At Loudonville, New York Amber Alfonzo scored a first half game winning goal as the host Siena Saints ended Maines four game win streak with a 1-0 women’s soccer victory.
A free kick by the Saints Brianna Montinard was headed into the net by Alfonzo at the 22nd minute to provide the only offense needed for Siena (2-5-1). Siena is now unbeaten in three straight games (2-0-1).
Siena had the 4-3 advantage in shots on goal and also a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. Taylor Dorado got the win for the Saints in net with three saves, while Annalena Kriebisch also made three saves in the loss for the Black Bears. Maine (4-2) opens up America East Conference play on Sunday at Mahaney Diamond when they host the Stony Brook Seawolves at 1 p.m.
