Gillian Rovers scored in the 83rd minute on Sunday afternoon, as the University of Maine rallied from a 2-0 second half deficit to end up in a 2-2 America East women’s soccer tie against the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Senior Day at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. The tie extends the Black Bears unbeaten streak to nine, also allowing them to stay unbeaten in conference play.
Visiting NJIT scored on their only shot attempt of the first half, when freshman midfielder Bella Ramirez tallied her first collegiate goal as she controlled it with her body side stepped a defender and sent a left-footed strike from inside the box past Maine goalie Jessica Kasacek in the 39th minute. The Highlanders went up 2-0 in the 57th minute after a throw-in when Ciara Adams found the back of net. A tackle inside the box led to the first Black Bears goal in the 72nd minute of play, as Lara Kirkby converted on a penalty kick to cut the deficit in half. The goal that tied it and allowed Maine to keep their unbeaten streak intact was a play started by Kayla Kraemer. Kraemer led a pass onto the foot of Kristina Kelly. Kelly dribbled down the left side of the box, and then lofted one in front of the net with her left foot that Rovers directed in with her right foot past the sliding NJIT goaltender Samantha Constantine with 6:16 remaining. The tie also extends the Black Bears unbeaten streak overall at Mahaney Diamond to 25 games (15-0-10, and 9-0-7 in conference games). Their last defeat in Orono was back on October 14, 2021 when they dropped a 1-0 America East decision to UNH.
Kelly and Kraemer each had an assist for Maine, while Kasacek didn’t make any saves as both shots on goal would go into her net. The shot attempts were 21-3 Black Bears (7-2 on net), while also having a 9-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Madison Miller played the first half in goal for NJIT allowing no goals on two shots, and Constantine had three saves on five shots in the second half. Adams had a goal and an assist, while Syndney Burlingame and Briana Andreoli added one assist each. The Highlanders are now 3-10-3 and 0-5-2 in America East. Maine is 10-1-3 and 6-0-1 in conference play having not lost since a 3-0 setback to Rutgers in non-conference action back on September 1. They’ll battle UNH in the regular season finale in Durham on Thursday at 7 p.m. That contest will be for the #1 playoff seed and a chance to host throughout, and the regular season conference title. The Wildcats will need a win to claim that, while the Black Bears would need a win or even a tie to remain in the top spot.
America East Standings through Sunday, October 27 (only Maine and UNH have already clinched a spot in the playoffs)-
1. Maine 6-0-1, 19 pts
2. UNH 6-1, 18 pts
3. UMBC 3-2-2, 11 pts
T-4. Bryant 3-3-1, 10 pts
T-4. UMass-Lowell 3-3-1, 10 pts
T-4. Vermont 3-4-1, 10 pts
5. Albany 2-4-1, 7 pts
6. UMBC 1-5-1, 4 pts
7. NJIT 0-5-2, 2 pts
