After the University of Maine women’s soccer team earned a crucial 2-1 home victory against Binghamton University, they are now gearing up for their next opponent, the University of Vermont.
With the past three games against Binghamton resulting in ties, Maine ended the drought and earned three points on Sept. 22. Maine fought hard for 90 minutes in the 2-1 game against Binghamton, maintaining the lead for the entire match. The fourth and fifth-year sister forward duo, Abby Kraemer and Kayla Kraemer, scored both goals. In the sixth minute, Abby Kraemer scored on a penalty kick off of a hand ball inside the box. About 80 minutes in, Kayla Kraemer had a brilliant finish inside the box off a cross by third-year forward Jordane Pinette, which was eventually the game winner.
Scott Atherley, the head coach for the women’s soccer team, feels content with the mature performance shown, and the calm reaction from the team when being scored on late in the second half. He states that there was no panic, but instead composure to keep the ball for the last 10 minutes of the game to seal the win.
With her goal against Binghamton, Abby Kraemer is now second place for most goals scored in program history. The record holder, Heather Hathorn, graduated from the program in 2006, having scored 35 goals. Kraemer now trails behind with 26 in the record book.
The Black Bears don’t stop there with outstanding accomplishments. Maine is the second America East school in the past two seasons to have four players with at least eight points each. No other team has more than two points, making fourth-year midfielder Lara Kirkby, Jordan Pinette, Abby Kraemer and Kayla Kraemer part of program history.
Next, the Black Bears travel to Vermont to play the Catamounts on Sept. 29 at Virtue Field. Vermont entered the game with a record of 5-2-3, having fallen short in their first conference game against New Hampshire with a 2-0 loss. They entered the matchup in seventh place in the standings with this defeat. Maine came in strong at first place in the conference standings.
The teams met twice last season in Orono winning both times by just one goal. The most recent matchup was the semifinal round of the America East tournament where Abby Kraemer scored the game-winning goal 90 minutes into the game to advance Maine to the title game. In a total of 15 games that these teams have played each other, 13 of them have been determined by one goal or less.
Maine has prepared for this game through an intense week of training, working hard on the pitch everyday. The game is sure to be a battle for both teams, and Maine is ready to show how hungry they are to take another step closer to winning a second title.
