Maine women’s soccer will host the conference title game with the help of Abby Kraemer

Published by %s
November 2, 2023

Abby Kraemer scored both goals, including a dramatic direct kick that found the back of the net with just 26 seconds remaining Thursday night sending the #2 seed Maine Black Bears to a 2-1 victory over #6 Vermont in the America East women’s soccer semifinals at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. The win, coupled with a UMass-Lowell double overtime upset at #1 Binghamton, will send the Riverhawks to Orono on Sunday for the conference title game.

Kraemer got her night started in the 10th minute of the first half. Kristina Kelly sent a pass to Lara Kirkby near the left edge of the penalty area. Kirkby was defended well, but was able to turn and get a pass off while falling to Kraemer who was right on the doorstep to put it past Vermont goaltender Erin Murphy. The Catamounts tied it early in the second half at 6:28, when Lauren Degroot used her speed to get past her defender on a 50-50 ball. Black Bears goalie Kira Kutzinski came out to challenge, but Degroot slid it under her and the ball slowly found its way into an empty net to even things 1-1. With 13:30 remaining, the guests had a great chance to jump on top. Sydney Remington got a shot off in the box that beat Kutzinski, but Myla Schneider was in the right place at the right time standing on the goal line to boot it out. Maine had a couple great looks in the final 10 minutes, including one that went off the crossbar and a save by Murphy on Kraemer from in close. Kraemer though redeemed herself, working hard to get to a loose ball and was tripped just outside the 18 drawing a foul on Torie Snyder with just 26 seconds left in regulation. Kraemer got awarded a direct kick, and sent a well-placed shot into the left corner of the net past the outstretched right hand of Murphy to help the Black Bears advance.

Kutzinski made four saves in the win, as Maine improves to 10-1-6. Kirkby and Kelly both had an assist on the first Kraemer goal. Murphy kept her team in the game with several timely saves throughout in the Vermont loss, finishing with five stops. The Catamounts end their season with a record of 10-7-1. It will be the Black Bears against the #4 seeded UMass-Lowell Riverhawks on Sunday for the championship at Mahaney Diamond at 2 p.m. It will mark the first ever women’s soccer America East Conference title match in Orono. UML gave Maine their only conference loss of the regular season 2-0 down in Massachusetts back on October 12. UMaine improved to 10-0-8 in their last 18 home games with Thursday’s win over UVM, but are 0-5 all-time in AE championship matchups.

Recap by Chris Lessner/Photo and video by Cassidy Godin/Video of Kraemer game winning goal courtesy of Maine Women’s Soccer on Twitter

 

 

 

 

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