ORONO, Maine – On Tuesday, June 15, head coach
Scott Atherley released the women's soccer schedule for the upcoming 2021 fall season. The slate features 15 games and two exhibitions, including six non-league games to start the season, before delving into a strong slate of America East games.
The Black Bears kick off the season with a home game versus Sacred Heart on Thursday, Aug. 19. The meeting with the Pioneers will serve as the seventh meeting between the two teams with Maine dominating the series, 6-1, and out-scoring Sacred Heart, 10-3.
Maine will then travel to North Kingston, R.I. for one game against Rhode Island (Aug. 22). The Black Bears were tripped up by the Rams on the road in 2016, 2-0. Rhode Island leads the all-time series with a record of 10-7-2. Maine will continue its New England road trip with a stop at Merrimack College (Aug. 26). The Warriors won last season's match-up, 2-0, but each squad has a victory in the all-time series.
Before returning to Orono for a handful of home games, Maine will make another road trip to Rhode Island, this time stopping in Smithfield on Sunday, August 29, to take on Bryant. The Black Bears won the previous contest in 2019, 1-0, and evened the series at four games apiece.
Maine will continue the home portion of its 2021 fall schedule with a Sunday afternoon contest with Quinnipiac on Sunday, September 5. This will be the sixth match-up between the Black Bears and Bobcats with Quinnipiac winning the most recent game in 2015, 3-1. Marist will make a trip to Orono (Sept. 12) before Maine opens conference play.
The Black Bears then start league play on Sept. 19 at the Alfond Diamond against UMBC. Seven days later, Maine will return to the road for a battle against newly minted America East rival NJIT. The two squads battled to a 1-1 tie in Orono last spring.
Vermont makes the trip from Burlington to the University of Maine on Thursday, September 30. Maine earned a 1-1 tie last spring when it hosted the Catamounts for the final game of the 2020-21 regular season. The Black Bears kick-off the month of October with a game in Albany, New York against the Great Danes on Oct. 3.
Maine returns to Orono for a two-game home stand beginning on Oct. 10 against Stony Brook. Before hitting the road, the next chapter of the Border Battle will be written. The Black Bears will host the University of New Hampshire on Thursday, October 14. Last season's 'Battle' was decided in overtime.
Binghamton will welcome Maine for a Sunday match-up on October 17. The Black Bears won the last match-up in 2019, 3-1.
The class of 2022 will play its final regular season home game at Mahaney Diamond on Sunday, Oct. 24 against Hartford. Maine will then have four days off before wrapping up the regular season with a trip to UMass Lowell on Thursday, Oct. 28.
The quarter-final round of the America East playoffs is set for October 31, the semi-finals are scheduled for November 4, and the league championship game is planned for November 7.
Maine is looking to make its 14th America East postseason tournament in the last 19 seasons.
-UMaine-
