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Finally, it’s time to come home.
The University of Maine women’s soccer team wrapped up their eighth straight game away from Alumni Field last Friday with a 2-1 loss at Rhode Island. Sophomore Marie-Andree Canuel scored the lone goal for the Black Bears, her second of the season.
UMaine played a shuffled line-up due to injuries, as senior Heather Hathorn moved from forward to midfield and Canuel, a midfielder, moved back to play defense but was still able to maintain their poise and strength on defense. Rhode Island has lit up its America East opponents, scoring seven goals against Harford, eight against Vermont and five against the University of New Hampshire.
“It was a big game,” said Canuel. “They were very good but we played very well especially in the first half of the game and considering the fact that we had a lot of injuries.”
Senior goalkeeper Tanya Adorno made nine saves including one on a penalty kick.
“When you look at the potency of their offense, I was very pleased with how well we played,” said head coach Scott Atherley.
Thursday night marks the conference opener for the Black Bears, against archrival Boston University. UMaine, which has only given up seven goals in nine games and no more than two in any one contest, finished two points behind the Terriers in pre-season polls. Both teams received four first- place votes, but BU edged out UMaine 60-58 and for the second straight season the Terriers were chosen the favorite in America East.
“We know that everything we’ve done so far through Friday’s game is getting ready for this part of the season,” said senior Heather Hathorn.
The Terriers are returning all 11 starters from last season including the two-time defending America East Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference selection, senior back Brittany McDonald.
“BU is a very well balanced team, pretty strong in every spot,” said Atherley. “Historically, I think they have been the most competitive team in conference history.”
In 2003, the Black Bears fell to BU in the America East Championship game. The game finished regulation and double overtime still tied at 0-0 and had to be decided on two sessions of penalty kicks.
After 200 minutes of soccer, the Terriers scored the lone goal, earning a bid to the NCAA tournament.
In 2004, UMaine held off BU 1-0 on a goal by Erin Corey at Nickerson Field in Boston.
Needless to say, the Black Bears are more than ready for round three at Alumni Field.
“Coach won’t have to do a lot to pump us up,” added Hathorn. “He’ll probably have to focus on calming us down.”
BU opened conference play on Monday with a 1-0 victory over Stony Brook, out shooting the Sea Wolves 28-3. UMaine will go out at full strength, with all players back from injury, tonight and hopes to keep up the quality of play, only this time in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
“It’s going to feel like foreign territory because it’s at home,” added Atherley, “but it’s never really foreign here. We love being at home in Orono.”
