ORONO- Through 45 minutes of play on Sunday afternoon, it looked like the unbeaten streak for Maine women’s soccer may end. UMBC had taken a 2-0 lead into halftime and held the Black Bears without a shot on net. The hosts came out pressuring in the second half however, getting goals by Doireann Fahey and another by Kristina Kelly with just under eight minutes left to keep the unbeaten streak entacted with a 2-2 tie at Mahaney Diamond.
Natasha Munro on a header and Meghan McKye on a beautiful cross from Esther Juretzka in the 25th and 37th minute respectively had the guests from UMBC up 2-0, sending Maine to their first two goal deficit so far on the season. Goalie Abbey Kowles faced very little Black Bears pressure in the opening half, as shots on goal were 5-0. The hosts turned up the intensity in the second half, and finally got a good scoring chance when Lara Kirkby was awarded a direct kick in the 57th minute. Kirkby kicked it into the box, and Fahey would get her head on it delecting it past Kowles to cut the lead in half. Kelly would help her team earn the tie after some good opportunities in front of Kowles. The midfielder from Lincolnville took a corner kick, and perfectly placed it directly into the left corner of the net behind Kowles with just 7:42 remaining to be played. Maine is now 7-0-4, 2-0-1 in America East, and also hasn’t lost a game at home in the last 15 tries dating back to 2021 (8-0-7).
Kira Kutzinski made four saves in net for Maine, and allowed more than one goal in a game for just the second time this season. Kowles had two saves for UMBC, as their record goes to 3-9-2 and 0-2-2 in conference play. The Black Bears, who were ranked 10th in the Atlantic Region by the United Soccer Coaches last week, will be back on the road next Sunday when they visit NJIT at 1 p.m.
Recap/videos by Chris Lessner
