The University of Maine women’s soccer team is off to a 1-3-1 start as the Black Bears try to defend back-to-back America East Conference titles.
UMaine graduated six All-America East players off last year’s 13-2-3 team that went 7-0-1 in America East regular season play. That included two-time All-American striker Abby Kraemer.
“We’ve played some really good teams and these are the games we need to play to gain experience and develop those on-field relationships that are meaningful for developing synergy,” head coach Scott Atherley said. “And it takes time.”
UMaine has scored five goals in its two road games but just one in its three home games, all losses.
UMaine beat Merrimack 3-2 after scoring just three goals in its previous five games against the Warriors. The Black Bears tied Army-West Point 2-2.
UMaine lost to Boston University (3-1) and Holy Cross (1-0) at home in addition to URI.
UMaine entered the season unbeaten in its previous 27 home games (17-0-10).
“We’ve shown we have the ability to score goals despite losing Abby Kraemer. We just haven’t done it at home,” Atherley said. “Maybe we should play all of our games on the road.”
Sophomore Emma Nicholson, who played in just three games a year ago, has done a great job up front according to Atherley and he also said the midfield has been “really solid.”
The midfield features juniors Abbey Thornton of Windham, Victoria Dungey and Luise Reinwald and sophomore Olivia Grisdale.
Senior veteran Rebecca Grisdale has been stellar at center back, he said.
UMaine will play its last non-conference game at 1 p.m. Sunday when it visits the University of Connecticut, which will take a 2-2-1 record into a Thursday game against Rhode Island.
“That will be the toughest team we face. It will be a good test for us heading into the Albany game,” Atherley said.
UMaine will open conference play at Albany at 3 p.m. on Sept. 21 before hosting Bryant at 6 p.m. on Oct. 2.
The Bryant game will be the first one played at UMaine’s new soccer facility.
The Black Bears’ first practice on the field will be Sept. 27.
“It’s gorgeous. The whole set-up is amazing especially considering where we’re coming from,” Atherley said referring to where the team currently plays at Mahaney Diamond. “It’s surreal.”
