The University of Maine Black Bears women’s soccer team got what turned out to be the game winning goal by Abby Kraemer just seven minutes into their season opener on Thursday afternoon, and cruised to a 5-0 over Division I newcomer Le Moyne College at Mahaney Diamond.
The winner by Kraemer came at the 6:53 mark of the opening half, on a hustle play by freshman Luise Reinwald. Reinwald ran after a throw-in pass down the left wing, slid, and crossed the ball towards the edge of the box and Kraemer headed it in for all Maine would need. The Black Bears added three more goals in the first half by Kayla Kraemer, Doireann Fahey, and Jordanne Pinette while Tegan Morrison finished the scoring 19:47 into the second stanza.
Abby Kraemer, Pinette, and Morrison all had a goal and an assist in the win for Maine. Kira Kutzinski stopped all three shots she faced in goal for the shutout. The Black Bears outshot the Dolphins 17-5 (12-3 on goal), and also had a 4-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Maine stays at home to host Rhode Island on Sunday at 1 p.m. Allison Moreau made seven saves on the 12 shots in net for Le Moyne, while Sarah Boyea didn’t face any shots in relief of Moreau over the final 10:49. Le Moyne, based out of Syracuse, New York, was playing their first ever game at the Division I level in program history after transferring from D2 officially on July 1, and will compete out of the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Dolphins sports programs can compete in NEC postseason beginning in 2025-26, but is ineligible for any NCAA playoffs until 2027-28 due to the four year NCAA reclassification period.
Story by Chris Lessner
