CASTINE, Maine – The Maine Maritime Academy women's soccer team picked up a 3-1 North Atlantic Conference quarterfinal victory over the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday evening at Ritchie Field backed by a two-goal performance from freshman
Harlow O'Leary.
The Mariners improved to 11-6-1 overall after outshooting the Beavers 34-8 and holding a commanding 16-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Junior
Charlotte Manes opened the scoring early for Maine Maritime, finding the back of the net in the 11th minute off a feed from junior
Hadley Stoddard. The goal gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead and set the tone for a dominant first half in which they outshot UMaine-Farmington 11-5.
Maine Maritime continued to apply pressure throughout the second half and doubled its advantage in the 53rd minute when O'Leary finished another setup from Stoddard. The tally was O'Leary's team-leading 10th goal of the season.
After the Beavers cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 68th minute, the Mariners responded less than eight minutes later. Senior
Abby Wong delivered a pass to O'Leary, who scored her second goal of the afternoon in the 76th minute to restore the two-goal cushion and secure the victory.
The Mariners generated chances from all over the field, with Manes and Wong leading a relentless attack. Manes recorded a team-high eight shots, while Wong added seven shots and three shots on goal. Stoddard contributed six shots and two assists, and O'Leary scored twice on four shots.
Despite facing only eight shots, senior goalkeeper
Isa Thesing made four saves to earn the victory.
UMaine-Farmington goalkeeper Roo Sawyer kept the match closer than the statistics indicated, stopping 13 shots as Maine Maritime repeatedly tested the Beaver defense.
Maine Maritime returns to action on Tuesday on the road against Husson University in the NAC semifinals.
