For the first time in their program history, the University of Maine women’s soccer team has claimed the America East regular season conference championship. Abby Kraemer had a first half game winning penalty kick goal, as the Black Bears upended UNH 1-0 on Thursday night in the regular season finale at Wildcat Stadium in Durham.
Maine needed either a win or a tie to claim the top conference spot, while UNH needed a straight up win. Abby Kraemer played big with several chances in this one. She had the first chance to break the ice in the 21st minute of action, as she had an open shot opportunity in the box but Wildcats goalie Sally Rainey was up to the task as she came up with the save with her leg and left hand to keep it scoreless. Abbi Maier had the first look for the hosts in the 22nd minute, as she found room just outside the box for a strike that was stopped by Jessica Kasacek. Just 49 seconds later, Maine came up with the play that ultimately would win the game. Kristina Kelly was tripped by UNH defender Lydia Poulin inside the box, and Abby Kraemer was chosen to take the penalty kick as she calmly found the back of the net.
Meaghan Guarente tried to get UNH back even three minutes into the second half. Guarente beat her defender, and went one on one with Kasacek. She dragged it around the Maine netminder creating an open goal chance, but went too far to the right while trying to get it back on her foot and shot it wide off the side of the net. The last opportunity for the Wildcats came about 10 minutes later when Delaney Lappin got to a ball in the box, turned and fired a shot that went over the top of the crossbar. The Black Bears had two more great looks to try to extend their lead even though only one goal was needed in the end, as Abby Kraemer was stopped by Rainey on a one on one in the box after a feed from Kelly in the 72nd minute, and then Kelly from way outside the box hit one off the crossbar past the outstretched arms of Rainey with 6:54 remaining in the contest. Maine really did well buckling down in the last 45 minutes, not allowing a pressing UNH squad who was trying to find the equalizer to get any shots on goal.
Kasacek recorded her seventh shutout on the year and made three saves in the win for Maine, who ends the regular season on an 10-game unbeaten streak (9-0-1). The Black Bears had a 12-9 shots attempted edge (7-3 on net), and a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. UNH claims the #2 America East seed and will host either Binghamton or Vermont in a semifinal after a first round bye. Rainey made six saves, as the Wildcats regular season record ends up at 11-4-1 and 6-1-0 in the conference. Maine (11-1-3, 7-0-1) will host either UMass-Lowell or Bryant on Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. in a semifinal after their first round bye, and if they win that semifinal matchup they’ll host the America East Conference Championship game on Sunday, November 10 at Mahaney Diamond in Orono for a second straight season. They are unbeaten at home in their last 25 matches (15-0-10), having not suffered a defeat since October 14, 2021 to UNH. The full schedule for the playoffs is below:
Quarterfinals- Sunday, November 3
G1- #6 Vermont (8-5-4) at #3 Binghamton (7-5-4)- 1 p.m.
G2- #5 Bryant (5-7-4) at #4 UMass-Lowell (5-9-3)- 3 p.m.
Semifinals- Thursday, November 7
G3- Bryant or UMass-Lowell at #1 Maine (11-1-3)- 6 p.m.
G4- Binghamton or Vermont at #2 UNH (11-4-1)- 6 p.m.
Championship- Sunday, November 10
G3 vs G4 winner at highest remaining seed- time to be announced
