USM Women's Soccer Newsletter
October '98
Issue #3

The season is half over and we are doing pretty good. As of Oct. 5th, we are 6-2. This is the best start since 1988 when the team had the same record over 8 games. We have also been scoring goals. To date, we have netted 17 goals. That's how many goals were scored in all of last season!! Here's the breakdown :

1. Bowdoin (home) : Lost 3-0. This game was the turning point for us. We controlled the game for the first 15 minutes, but couldn't score. It went back and forth for a while, then Bowdoin scored 18 minutes in. Their goal was created by a mental let down by our team. Bowdoin's second goal came 10 minutes later when a lofted shot squeezed thru Sam's hands. The game was fairly even from then on out, but we couldn't seem to find the back of the net. Bowdoin added a third with less than a minute to go in the game. We knew we gave the game away. We could have easily won this match. This loss has given us the confidence that we were looking for. Record to date : 2-2.

2. Salem State (home) : Won 1-0. We started slow and gave Salem a great chance to score, but Sam made a HUGE save on a breakaway that woke us up. After that, we controlled the action. Halftime ended 0-0. 57 minutes in, Ali Hathaway scored from a thru ball by Kelly Wilson. We almost added a second, but Sarah Drury's shot hit the cross bar. Our defenders had a great game, beating Salem to the ball and winning everything in the air. We rebounded well from the Bowdoin loss. Record to date : 3-2.

3. U-Mass Boston (away) : Won 8-1. Our first conference game and it didn't start out too well. Boston scored 1:30 into the game. We took this team a little too lightly. Sarah Drury brought us even, cracking a ball first time from about 25 yards out. After that goal, the floodgates opened. 3-1 at the half. Ali Hathaway netted a hat trick and Katie Blanchard had 4 assists, which is a USM school record. Everyone played and everyone played well. Record to date : 4-2.

4. University of New England (away) : Won 1-0. Luck was on our side today. UNE had a clear chance to score in the first half, but their forward mishit the ball inside the 6 yard box and the ball went over the bar. It was a pretty even game although we outshot UNE by a lot. In the 78th minute, Ali Hathaway scored when UNE failed to clear a corner kick. Moments later, the UNE keeper made some big saves, stopping Sadye Johnson and Jenn Ireland. Luck was with us one more time when UNE had a breakaway and the girl shot wide. Record to date : 5-2.


5. U-Mass Dartmouth (away) : Won 2-0. This was a game that even though we did not play very well, we still controlled most of the game. Dartmouth had a chance to score, but they hit the post. Ali Hathaway scored both goals for us. The first one coming after Rachel Drury battled two defenders and laid the ball back to Ali to finish. That was 25 minutes into the game. The second goal by Ali was from a thru ball from Sarah Drury at the 50:36 mark. The final 15 minutes of the game we found ourselves defending quite a bit. Not a problem. We stopped all their attempts by sheer will and Sam made another huge save, tipping the ball over the bar. Record to date : 6-2.

Up coming matches : We are away to Farmington 10/8 and have a home conference match against Eastern Connecticut on Sat. 10/10. Colby is the following Thursday home.

Alumni : Some of the Alumni have called me to say that they have been receiving the newsletter and that they would like to be involved with the spring get-together. I am still looking for more participants though.

Notes : 1. After the Dartmouth game, we had a group of parents that made some delicious food for us. Mr. & Mrs. Whitman supplied the clam chowder and hot cider, Mr. Stevenson made a killer cheese cake, and Mrs. Blanchard, don't be afraid to send those chicken wings directly to me. Again, I thank all that made the trip to watch us play.

2. Ali Hathaway for two weeks in a row, has been named to the Little East Honor Roll. Ali has 9 goals and 1 assist for 19 points, which is good for second best in the conference. Sam Whitman has a G.A.A of 0.91 which is good for third in the conference. Sam also has 5 shutouts.

Contributions : As always, you can send donations made out to USM athletics to : Women's Soccer Office, 37 College Ave., Gorham, ME 04038.

See everyone at the next game.

Steve

(207) 780 - 5328
quinones@usm.maine.edu