Maine - Coming into Saturday's game the Beavers were 2-1 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) East Division games and in third place, while the Mariners were unbeaten at 3-0 and in second place. The Beavers needed a win on Saturday to keep their hopes of hosting a playoff game alive. Thanks to sophomores Abby Lash (Waldoboro, Maine) and Grace Mahmood (Oxford, Conn.), who each grabbed unassisted goals, the University of Maine at Farmington women's soccer team was able to do just that as they got past Maine Maritime Academy on the road Saturday afternoon and spoiled the Mariners senior day.
Lash got the Beavers offense rolling early with a goal in just the second minute of the game. After a Mariners failed clear attempt, the ball went directly to Lash who took two touches and booted a shot to the upper right corner of the net from the 26 yard line of the Mariner turf that hosts both soccer and football games.
Mahmood would double the Beavers lead in the 41st minute. Senior Emily Boyle (Orleans, Mass.) lofted a long, high cross into the penalty area where both Mariner goalkeeper Bess MacArthur (Castine, Maine) and center back attempted to win the ball. MacArthur came off her line to try to grab the ball in the air but the Mariner defender headed it before MacArthur was able to grab it. Unfortunately for the Mariners the header deflected backwards right to Mahmood who found the empty net and notched her sixth goal of the season.
The Beavers played a very strong team defensive game as they did not surrender a shot in the entire first half and only gave up five for the game. Freshman goalkeeper Paige Gonya (Sabattus, Maine) played the first half in goal before giving way to Lily Souza (Wiscasset, Maine) in the second half to combine for the shutout. Souza made three saves in the second half for the Beavers.
The Beavers were able to hold a 7-5 advantage in shots and 4-3 in shots on goal. The Mariners had six corner kicks to the Beavers one.
UP NEXT
The Beavers will be back in action on Wednesday, October 19th as they host Lesley College at Leib Field starting at 3:30.
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