CASTINE, Maine – Cayla Thomas (Plymouth,Mass.) bounced a free kick from 35-yards out into the top right corner of the cage to deliver Maine-Machias a 1-0 victory over Maine Maritime in women's soccer at Ritchie Field Wednesday evening. Machias opens its 2012 campaign with a victory, while the Mariners slipped to 3-0.

Thomas' boot 32:12 into the game went just over the fingertips of Mariners' keeper Kelsie Hilton (Monmouth, Maine) for the decisive tally. Hilton turned away two shots in the first 45 minutes before yielding the balance to Taylor O'Malley (Middletown, R.I.). O'Malley stopped three shots in the second half. The Clippers' Rebecca Young (Concord, Vt.) needed only three saves to keep a clean sheet. Machias outshot their hosts 12-9.

Maine Maritime returns to action on  Saturday at Daniel Webster.

Me.-Machias (1-0) vs. Maine Maritime (0-3)

Goals by period       1  2  Tot

Me.-Machias.........  1  0 -  1

Maine Maritime......  0  0 -  0

 SCORING SUMMARY:

1.  32:12 MACHIAS Cayla Thomas (unassisted)

 Shots: Me.-Machias 12, Maine Maritime 9

 Saves: Me.-Machias 3 (Rebecca Young 3), Maine Maritime 5 (Kelsie Hilton 2; Taylor O'Malley 3)