On Thursday, Nov. 6, the fourth-seeded University of Maine Women’s Soccer team won in double overtime against number one seeded Binghamton University, 1-0 in the America East Championship semifinal at the Bearcast Sports Complex. With the brace from third-year midfielder Victoria Dungey, the Black Bears now advance to their third consecutive title game and eighth in program history.
“It was honestly unreal,” said Dungey. “It was such a team effort and I’m so excited for the final.”
Both teams came out with the desire of scoring early, but Maine secured most of the possession and found the ball in wide areas to exploit their defense. The Bearcats got opportunities at the goal as well, with first-year goalie Elena Barenberg having to make a key save around the 30 minutes into the game as the first team all-conference forward Jahkaya Davis slipped behind Maine’s defense on a breakaway. Barenberg came confidently out of her net and allowed nothing to get past. She totaled four saves and completed her third shutout of the season. Each team battled hard and let up no goals to end the first half, leaving the fans questioning which way this game could go.
The Bearcats had the edge going into the second half, gaining the upper hand with 11-9 in shots, while Maine had more shots on goal. It seemed like the game would go in the Bearcats favor with four corners and creating more goal-scoring opportunities. Maine got one last look at net before double overtime in the minute of the second half after fourth-year winger
Madison Michaud cut in from the wing and rocketed the ball off the crossbar. The Black Bears were able to hold on and send the match into double-overtime where two halves of ten minutes are to be played and the first team to score wins the game or else it will go to a penalty shootout.
The first ten minutes were back and forth, with no real threat against the goal from either team as fatigue started to set in. In the fourth minute of the second overtime, Michaud switched the ball to the right side of the field for fourth-year winger Jordanne Pinette to touch past the defensive line past the goalie who came off the line, and made an unselfish pass across the middle of the 18 yard box for Dungey to tap in the back of the net. The winning goal ended the match and ended Binghamton’s 13-game unbeaten streak.
This week, four Black Bears also earned 2025 America East all-conference honours announced Wednesday afternoon. Third-year midfielder Luise Reinaldo received second-team all-conference honors, while fourth-year winger and captain Julie Lossius and third-year midfielder Abbey Thornton earned spots on the America East All-Academic Team. Lastly, Barenberg earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team.
The Black Bears will now travel to Vermont to battle against second-seed Vermont at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Virtue Field. The game will also be available on ESPN+ and the America East network.
