UMaine women’s soccer suffered another close defeat at the hands of University of Massachusetts(UMass) in their away game Saturday, Sept. 3. The loss, Maine’s second in a row, moved the Black Bears to 3-2-0 on the season and third in America East standings. UMass’ win bumped them up to 2-2-0.
Third-year goalkeeper Cassidy Babin excelled in net for UMass, allowing no goals. The loss was Maine’s second shutout loss this season, the first coming from the previous game versus Providence College. The Black Bears have now played 214 consecutive minutes of soccer without scoring a single goal.
The action began immediately as Maine was awarded two corner kicks within the first six minutes. The Black Bears failed to capitalize on either opportunity and quickly found themselves on the defense. A shot by second-year UMass forward Salma Anastasio hit crossbar followed shortly by a shot from first-year forward Rebecca Frisk which was blocked in front of the net by first-year goalkeeper Annalena Kriebisch. UMass would eventually find success in the 23rd minute as Anastasio set up third-year forward Gabriella Kenyon for a shot that sailed past Kriebisch to put a score on the board at 1-0.
The goal by Kenyon was her second all-time goal for the Minutemen and her first game winner. Kriebisch has started every game for UMaine this year, recording 22 saves and an impressive 0.880 save percentage. She has only let in three goals this season.
Heading into the second half, UMass outshot UMaine 5-1. The Black Bears started the second half aggressively, recording four shots and two corner kicks within 15 minutes. Shots by second-year backs Mikayla Morin and Kate Evans were both sent wide. Shots by third-year forward Genaya Loftis and third-year midfield Kendra Ridley were both stopped by Babin. Maine kept the momentum going with a shot by second-year forward Anetra Byfield but Babin excelled once again, recording her fourth of the six saves she made.
With time winding down, Maine needed just one goal to tie up the score. In the 88th minute, the play focused on first-year midfielder Kaitlyn Ball as she made one last ditch effort against the flawless Babin. Ball’s shot was thwarted by Babin, giving the Minutemen their third shutout of the season.
Next weekend, the Black Bears travel to Rhode Island on Friday, Sept. 9 against Bryant University. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m.
