ORONO, Maine – UMBC women’s soccer’s sophomore back Amira Walcott (Beltsville, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) scored the second goal of her career to even the score at one in the second period, but it was not enough as a late score gave Maine a 2-1 victory in the America East opener on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field.

UMBC looked primed for overtime for the second consecutive game, as Walcott’s goal in the 59th minute erased the Retrievers’ first half deficit, but Maine’s Alex Abrahams gathered a UMBC clearing pass and knocked home the game-winner with 3:03 remaining in regulation.  

The Retrievers (5-4-2) fall for the second straight game for the first time this season, while the Black Bears (4-3-3) snap a six-game winless streak.

Maine opened up a one-goal lead with 2:08 remaining in the first half, when sophomore back Joanie L’Abbe capitalized on a free kick opportunity for her first score of the season. The Black Bears held a 6-3 advantage in shots in the period and outshot the Retrievers 14-10 overall.

Walcott saw her first opportunity to tie the contest in the 55th minute, after a Black Bears’ foul allowed the sophomore back a chance for a free kick just outside of the 18 yard box. Walcott’s shot curved around the defense but was knocked wide by Maine goalkeeper Lauren Swant.

Less than four minutes later, Walcott was able to get a foot on a bouncing pass from junior back Melissa Hummel (Downington, Pa./Downingtown East), as the two connected for the score for the second time this season to knot the contest at one.

UMBC continued to pick up its play early in the second half as freshman Amanda Dailey (Howell, N.J./Freehold Township/Monmouth) and sophomore Alexa Quaranta (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) each found themselves with a chance to give the Retrievers the lead. Dailey booted a shot off the crossbar for the second consecutive game and Quaranta followed with a breakaway opportunity, but Swant came up with one of her five saves on the afternoon to keep the game tied at one.

UMBC goalkeeper Lauren Kadet (Oakville, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) finished the contest with six saves.

Game Notes
-UMBC has scored 10 of its 12 goals on the season in the second half.
-UMBC trails 1-10-1 in the all-time series against Maine.
-The Retrievers are 2-9 all-time in America East openers

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