UMass Lowell to Face Maine in Women's Soccer Match

Maine enters the contest with an overall record of 4-3-2, having started its conference play with a 2-0 victory against UAlbany. Emma Nicholson and Isabella Meadows scored in that game, while goalkeeper Elena Barenberg achieved five saves for a shutout. Meadows currently leads the team with four goals this season, and six Black Bears have scored at least once, including Luise Reinwald and Aja Turner, each with two goals. In terms of assists, Victoria Dungey has three, while Hannah Wehmeyer, Abbey Thornton, and Sandrine Brault have contributed two each. Barenberg has made 36 saves this season, boasting an .818 save percentage and a 0.89 goals against average. Maine is on a five-game unbeaten streak, allowing one goal or less during this stretch, the first time achieving this since the beginning of the season.

UMass Lowell comes into the game with a record of 3-4-2 overall and 0-0-1 in America East after a 1-1 tie with Binghamton last weekend. The River Hawks are currently on a three-game unbeaten streak. Both teams faced common non-conference opponents, with Maine tying Providence 1-1 and losing to another opponent 2-1, while UMass Lowell won against that same team 5-2. Nina Hertz-Saebbo leads the River Hawks with five goals this season, along with one assist, totaling 11 points. Nora Belin has one goal and five assists, while Marisssa Sage has added three goals.

In the all-time series with UMass Lowell, Maine holds a 9-4-2 advantage. The teams last played to a 2-2 tie in Lowell last season, with Maine equalizing twice. Several current Black Bears, including Abbey Thornton and Grace Johnson, have recorded points against UMass Lowell in previous matches.

Several familial connections are present on the team; sophomore Stella Jarvais follows in her mother Nikki's footsteps, who played for Maine from 1996-2000. Junior Olivia Grisdale's older sister Rebecca also played for Maine, and freshman Ashley Kraemer joins her sisters Kayla and Abby in making their marks at the university. Head coach Scott Atherley’s family ties also include his daughter, Teagan.

Following this match, Maine will travel to Vermont to compete against the Catamounts on Sunday, October 4, at 3 p.m.