Box Score Orono, Maine -- Genaya Loftis' goal in the 7th minute proved to be all Maine would need as it began America East play on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over visiting Vermont. The win improves Maine to 5-3-0 overall while Vermont dips to 5-4-1.

Loftis, who registered her first career goal in the win, scored after a shot from Vivien Beil was mishandled by Vermont keeper Coco Speckmaier. The ball popped up and over Speckmaier inside the 18 before Loftis tracked it down and buried it into the back of the net.

Maine's defense was strong throughout the second half, turning away 11 Vermont corner kicks, to maintain the 1-0 victory.

Vermont outshot Maine 19-12, with a 10-4 margin coming on net.

In her first start of the season, Maine keeper Samantha Cobotic turned away 10 shots to pick up her first win in shutout fashion.

Maine goes for its second league win on Thursday, Sept. 29 when it travels to take on UMass Lowell at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-