STORRS, Conn. – Despite a second-half goal from Abbey Thornton and a late push from the Black Bears, the University of Maine women's soccer team fell to UConn, 3-1, in non-conference action on Sunday afternoon at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium.

The Black Bears pushed the pace early, outshooting the Huskies 3-0 in the first 15 minutes, with Abbey Thornton and Emma Nicholson landing shots on target in the first five minutes. The Huskies evened out the play and eventually found the back of the net with two minutes to go in the half.

Maine carried the play in the opening 10 minutes of the second half only to see UConn awarded a penalty kick, which the Huskies converted for a 2-0 lead. UConn then made it 3-0 in the 60th minute. Less than a minute later, Abbey Thornton got the Black Bears on the board when she curled in a high shot from 25-yards out on the left flank. The Black Bears kept the pressure on – having two shots saved on the goal line in the final two minutes – but couldn't cut the deficit beyond 3-1.
 
NOTES

• UConn edged Maine in shots, 10-8, while the teams were even in shots on goal at 5-5.
• The Huskies had a 6-3 lead in corner kicks.
• Elena Barenberg made her collegiate debut, making three saves for Maine.
• Lea Schroeder made her first collegiate start.
• Abbey Thornton scored her second goal of the season … she added two shots on target for Maine.
• Emma Nicholson paced Maine with a game-high four shots and a game-high three shots on goal .. Nicholson recorded her first collegiate assist on Thornton's goal.
• Rebecca Grisdale and Amanda Clauzel both played the full 90 minutes for Maine.

RECORDS

• Maine: 1-4-1
• UConn: 4-2-1

UP NEXT

• Maine will begin America East play on Sunday, Sept. 21 when it travels to UAlbany to face the Great Danes.