ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine’s women’s soccer team defended its America East Tournament championship on Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 win over the University of New Hampshire.
The Black Bears received goals about 8 minutes apart in the first 11:12 of the game from Jordane Pinette and Abby Kraemer, and Lara Kirkby added a second half goal as the America East regular season titlist beat second seed UNH at Mahaney Diamond.
UMaine improved to 13-1-3 and will advance to the NCAA tournament.
UMaine is unbeaten in its past 12 games (11-0-1) and extended its Mahaney Diamond unbeaten streak to 27 games (17-0-10).
UNH finished at 12-5-1 including two losses to UMaine, and the three goals was the most allowed by UNH in a game this season.
Pinette opened the scoring three minutes into the game. Abby Kraemer raced into the penalty area for the ball and was confronted by UNH goalkeeper Sally Rainey. The ball bounced free and Pinette turned and deposited into the empty net from 20 yards out.
Abby Kraemer made it 2-0 by masterfully controlling sister Kayla Kraemer’s long pass and poking it calmly past Rainey.
Kirkby iced it in the second half off assists from Abby Kraemer and Victoria Dungey.
Freshman goalkeeper Grace Wilson posted the shutout, making five saves.
