ORONO, Maine – On Thursday afternoon, the University of Maine women's soccer team opens the 2018 campaign on the road against UMass. The season marks the head coach Scott Atherely's 20
th season at the helm of the Black Bears.
The Black Bears sport a young squad this season, with defender
Mikayla Morin serving as the lone senior. The roster breaks down to 12 freshmen, seven sophomores and seven juniors for the upcoming season.
Offensively, Maine brings back seven of the eight players that registered at least a point in 2017, with
Kendra Ridley being the lone non-returnee due to graduation. Morin (2 goals, 2 assists),
Nicole Bailey (2 goals, 2 assists),
Kayla Brace (2 goals, 1 assist) and
Priscilla Domingo (2 goals) all look to make an impact in the points column.
Morin, Domingo,
Olivia Bamford and
Jane Stevens all return on defense, while the Black Bears add
Amanda Sandberg,
Julia Mahoney,
Susannah Gaines and
Lauren Young as defenders.
Annalena Kriebisch seeks a successful junior season in net for the Black Bears in 2018, after allowing just 1.19 goals per game and recording four shutouts in 13 games played last season, before suffering a season-ending injury. Maine have depth in the position in Kira Kutzinkski,
Michele Silva and
Alison Tobey.
UMass went 7-9-2 in 2017, defeating Maine 2-1 in overtime at Thornton Academy in Saco. The Black Bears struck first, just 52 seconds into the contest, but UMass rallied with goals in the 81st and 91st minutes to take the win.
The Black Bears and Minutewomen kickoff the 2018 season at 4:00 p.m. at Rudd Field in Amherst, Mass. Maine will play the first five games on the road, before taking on Siena College in the home opener on Sept. 9.
Click
HERE for head coach
Scott Atherley's 2018 season preview!
-UMaine-
