ORONO, Maine – University of Maine women's soccer standout Abby Kraemer's jersey is set to be retired, Maine Athletics announced on Friday.

Kraemer, the only All-American in program history, leaves a lasting legacy that includes two All-American nods, an America East Striker of the Year award, an America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor, an Academic All-American accolade, the first-ever America East Championship and regular season titles in program history and many memorable moments as a Black Bear. 

"Abby Kraemer is arguably the greatest player in UMaine women's soccer history," said head coach Scott Atherley. "Her influence on our run of two consecutive America East championships and NCAA College Cup appearances was profound. More importantly, Abby was instrumental in transforming the culture of our program by consistently holding herself and her teammates to the highest standards of excellence, on and off of the field. Abby was the consummate student-athlete and teammate. An All-American on the field and in the classroom. Her sheer talent as a player is rivaled only by her competitive drive, relentless work ethic and selfless attitude." 

"I am grateful that we are able to honor Abby by retiring her jersey," added Atherley. "The distinction of being the first and only player in program history to have their jersey retired is a testament to Abby's impact and further cements her legacy as a member of our program."

Kraemer earned second team All-American honors in 2023 and followed it up with a third-team nod in 2024 to become the first two-time All-American from the America East in 25 seasons. The Waterloo, Ontario native finished her Maine career with 74 points on 31 goals and 12 assists and ended her career as the conference active leader in points, goals, shots and shots on goal. Kraemer, who started all 67 games that she played in as a Black Bear, was a four-time America East All-Conference honoree and two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree. Kraemer scored 10 game-winning goals in her career, including a 90th-minute game-winning strike in the 2023 America East tournament semifinal to lift Maine to the title game and a second-half winner this past season to help the Black Bears set an America East record home-game unbeaten streak.

In 2023, Kraemer was a vital part of the first-ever America East Championship team and NCAA Tournament team in program history. She became the first All-American in program history and the first from the America East in 13 years. This past season, she helped Maine to the first America East regular-season title in program history – scoring the game-winning goal in the regular season finale and title-clinching victory on the road at rival New Hampshire – and also helped the team earn a second consecutive America East Championship and NCAA Tournament bid. In addition, she earned All-Tournament Team honors for the second time in her career. 

"I'm incredibly honored to be having my jersey retired," Kraemer said. "Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all of my teammates, coaches, training staff and my family, as well as the unwavering support from all of Black Bear Nation. The achievements we made together as a team and a program are truly special. It was a privilege to wear the Maine jersey and to be part of such an incredible program." 

Off the field, Kraemer also left her mark at Maine in the classroom and in the community. During the 2023-24 school year, she earned First Team Academic All-American honors and was named the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also received the 2024 'M' Club Dean Smith award – the most prestigious award presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes at the University of Maine. Kraemer earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry this past December. She worked in the Maginnis Laboratory, a virology research lab at UMaine, and helped publish a research paper on the JC polyomavirus infection. She volunteered with the Christine B. Foundation as well as with the Solidarity Harvest. Kraemer also dedicated numerous hours to local food drive initiatives, spent time as a coach with the Mighty Mite Soccer program and visited the Old Town school district as a lunch time activity volunteer.

"We are extremely excited to honor Abby by retiring her jersey - the first in the history of our women's soccer program," said Athletic Director Jude Killy. "She perfectly reflects our mission and core values - on and off the field - and played a leading role in creating the start of the greatest team run in the history of our program. We are so thankful for her contributions, and to all the student-athletes who helped us win back-to-back titles in unprecedented fashion. Abby's accomplishments and accolades along the way are unmatched and have set a new standard for our program with both individual and team success."

A formal unveiling of Kraemer's retired jersey will take place at a to-be-determined game during the fall of 2025, anticipated to be at the New Balance Soccer Complex. More details on this event will be made available in the fall once schedules are set.

Kraemer, who is now playing professionally in Portugal, is the eighth female student-athlete to have their jersey retired. Former women's basketball coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie was most recently honored in 2009-10 while Jamie Cassidy and Heather Ernest were the most recent student-athletes to have their jerseys retired, in 2004-05.

For a full list of Maine's retired jerseys, click here.

-UMaine-