The Wisconsin Badgers scored two goals in the first 3:27 of the first half on Friday night, including a game winner by Ashley Martinez in a 3-1 win over Maine in a First Round NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament game played at McClimon Memorial Track/Soccer Complex in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin struck with their first shot on net just over a minute into action, as their leading goal scorer Aryssa Mahrt was set up in the box. Maia Richters found Mahrt, who in one motion fired a left-footed kick high inside the right corner of the net past Maine goalie Grace Wilson. It took the Badgers just over two minutes to score again, as Ashley Martinez dribbled on the left side near the edge of the six-yard line and sent her right-footed kick towards the goal that went off the fingertips of Wilson to make it 2-0. Wisconsin had an 8-0 advantage in shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Maine got back into the game on their first shot on goal 1:17 into the second half. Jordane Pinette started the play deep in the Wisconsin end. Her pass attempt went off the foot of Kristina Kelly, right to Lara Kirkby who was in the right spot as she rocketed a shot from inside the box up high into the right corner just under the crossbar. Erin Connolly scored to regain a two goal advantage for the Badgers almost 10 minutes later off an assist from Mahrt. Wilson did stop a penalty kick by Mahrt with about 25 minutes left, but the Black Bears couldn’t generate anymore offense in falling in the first round for a second consecutive season. The three goals given up matched the most they had allowed in any game this year, with the other being in a 3-0 defeat at Rutgers on September 1 their only other loss on the campaign. Maine entered play on Friday ranked 26th in the country in goals allowed (0.71 per contest).
The freshman goaltender Wilson made nine saves in the loss for Maine. She ended up starting all three postseason games for the Black Bears, after graduate netminder Jessica Kasacek (15 regular season starts) became unavailable for personal reasons that weren’t disclosed. Kelly picked up an assist on the Kirkby goal. The back to back America East Champs had their 12-game unbeaten streak ended in finishing with a final record of 13-2-3. Drew Stover had two stops for the hosts in the victory. Wisconsin had a 13-3 advantage in shots attempted (12-3 on goal), and a 13-4 edge in corner kick opportunities. Mahrt had a goal and two assists. The Badgers (10-5-4), who are ranked #5 out of the 16 teams in their bracket, now move on to a second round game against Virginia next Friday with a time and location to be announced. Maine will go into their 2025 season as the reigning two-time America East Champions, and with a league record 27-game home unbeaten streak at Mahaney Diamond in Orono (17-0-10).
Maine celebrated their second consecutive America East Championship with a 3-0 win over UNH on November 10 at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. The Black Bears would fall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night, November 15 by a score of 3-1 to Wisconsin in Madison. Photo by Chris Lessner
