Abby Kraemer had a game winning second half goal on Thursday night, lifting Maine to a 1-0 America East women’s soccer win over UMass-Lowell at Mahaney Diamond in Orono.
In a rematch of last seasons America East Title game won by Maine in double overtime, the hosts dominated the entire match with chances. The first half they had a 10-1 margin in shots attempted (5-0 on goal), but UMass-Lowell goalie Taylor Burgess did a great job to keep the Black Bears off the scoreboard. Kraemer was finally able to break the ice in the 55th minute with her game winner. She received a pass just outside the box, made a quick move right to left beating her defender into the area and let go a left footed kick that beat Burgess to the left at the far post. The goal would go unassisted, and Maine would allow the Riverhawks only one shot on goal in the match in recording their fifth shutout of the season in their 10th game. The Black Bears have not lost a home game since October 14, 2021 to UNH (14-0-9 since that defeat), setting a conference record for home unbeaten streaks at 23.
Graduate student Jessica Kasacek stopped the lone shot she faced in the Maine win. That is her fourth shutout on the campaign in her eighth start in net. The game winner by Kraemer was her third goal of the season. Burgess stopped eight shots in the loss for UMass-Lowell, who falls to 1-8-2 and 0-2 in America East. The Black Bears had a 17-4 edge in shots attempted (9-1 on goal), and also led in corner kick opportunities 8-4. Maine has now won five games in a row, improving to 7-1-2 and 3-0 in conference play. They’ll continue America East action when they travel to Bryant to take on the Bulldogs in Smithfield, Rhode Island on Sunday at 1 p.m.
