CASTINE, Maine — The Maine Maritime Academy women's soccer team erased a one-goal halftime deficit and battled back for a 2-2 draw against Lesley University in North Atlantic Conference women's soccer action Friday evening at Ritchie Field.
The Mariners moved to 9-5-1 overall and 5-0-1 in conference play after overcoming a 2-1 deficit with a strong second-half effort.
Junior
Charlotte Manes gave Maine Maritime the early advantage in the 10th minute, finishing a feed from freshman
Harlow O'Leary at the 9:29 mark for a 1-0 lead.
Lesley answered less than nine minutes later when Cameron Wedding scored to level the match at 1-1. The Lynx then grabbed the lead in the 42nd minute as Peyton Rees found the back of the net off an assist from Wedding, sending Maine Maritime into halftime trailing 2-1.
The Mariners controlled much of the second half, generating pressure through a series of corner kicks and offensive chances. Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when sophomore
Natalee Orr converted off another assist from O'Leary, tying the match at 2-2 with 27:58 remaining.
O'Leary played a key role in both Maine Maritime goals, recording two assists in the draw.
Maine Maritime received strong play in goal from a pair of keepers. Senior
Mayako Brown made two saves in the opening half, while sophomore
Cora Brewster stopped three second-half shots to keep the match level.
The Mariners were efficient offensively, scoring twice on eight shots. Orr and Manes each scored their second goals of the season, while senior
Abby Wong led the team with three shots and two shots on goal.
Defensively, Maine Maritime weathered late pressure from Lesley, including several chances inside the final 15 minutes. Brewster came up with key saves on shots by Bethany Slivka and Elsie Koehler, and the Mariners preserved the draw despite being outshot 17-8 overall.
Maine Maritime closes out the 2026 regular season on the road Wednesday against Husson University beginning at 7:30 p.m.
