USM Women's Soccer Newsletter
October '98
Issue #4

After starting 6-2, the second half of the season has been a bit rocky. As of October 28, we are 8-6-1. One game left and the possibility of post season play is still alive, but we have to beat Keene State on Halloween at Keene. Our conference record is 4-2 and if we beat Keene, we will finish second. A loss will put us in fourth. All to play for, nothing to lose!! Here is how it went :

1. U-Maine Farmington (away) : Tie 0 - 0. This was a game that we controlled from the outset. UMF did have a couple of chances, but our defense was solid and Sam made a great save on a breakaway. We outshot UMF something like 30-11, with 15 corner kicks. We couldn't buy a goal!!! The team was disappointed, because this was a game we should have one.

2. Colby College (home) : Lost 1-0. It rained all day and the game had to be moved to Gorham High School. For the first half, the game went back and forth, with both teams creating some chances. It was 0-0 at the half. Mid-way thru the second half, Colby scored from a free kick. We had a couple of chances to equalize, but shots by Steph and Katie were saved by the Colby keeper, who had an outstanding game. The worst part of this game was that we lost captain Pam early in the game when she split her nose open after a collision with a Colby player. No concussion, but five stitches.

3. Western Conn. St. University (away) : Lost 1-0. Another heart breaker. Sam had another fabulous game, stopping a couple of breakaways. WCSU controlled most of the game, but team defense was great. It was anyway, until the 87th minute when Western scored from a corner kick. The effort from the team was tremendous and there was no reason to hang our heads.

4. Plymouth State (away) : Won 2-0. HUGE win for us!! After not scoring a goal in the past three games, we changed our formation and it paid instant dividends. Steph scored the first goal. It all started with Ali drawing two defenders to her on the left side. She laid the ball back to Kim who sent a first time cross over to Steph. Steph did a good job of finishing the shot considering the Plymouth goalkeeper came sliding out and took Steph down. Our back three in defense, Kelly, Lindsey, and Leah, had a great game. Sarah notched our second goal early in the second half from a pass from Jenn Young. It was a left footed shot from 20 yards.

5. Eastern Conn St. University (home) : Lost 2-1. Little bit of a setback here. ECSU scored twice in the first half off of mistakes by us. The second half, ECSU did not have a single shot! Kelly was able to notch one for us with 17 minutes left to play. She scored by hitting a free kick from just outside the box, over the keepers head. The last 15 minutes of the game we had plenty of opportunities, but nothing was going in.

6. Rhode Island College (home) : Won 1-0. A conference win that we needed. The only goal of the game was scored by Rachel Drury. It was her first collegiate goal and it was a header. It came from a free kick taken by Lindsey and played to the far post where Rachel showed alot of courage to head a ball that was right on the post. Overall, the whole team played well and we knocked the ball around with confidence.

7. Bates College (home) : Lost 3-1. This was the last home game for our three seniors and I wish we could have given them a better result. Bates was a very good side, but we played right with them for the whole game. They were up 1-0 at the half, but I felt we were playing good soccer and it was just a matter of time until we scored. And I was right. However, Bates scored two more times before we got our goal. Steph scored our only goal with 10 minutes to play.

So, where does that leave us. Our record is 8-6-1, 4-2 in the conference, with one game remaining. Any hopes we had of an NCAA bid are gone. We have an outside chance of making the ECAC Tournament, but we must beat Keene State.

All-Time Records : Thanks to the help of B.L. Elfring, I now have the USM Women's Soccer All-Time Records, for both team and individual. I also have the statistics for everyone that has ever played for USM. As soon as this season is over, I am going to up-date the records. I then what to put it together and send everyone a copy. It will be up-dated every year. To do this however, the printing cost is coming out of our fund raising. If possible, it would help us out a great bit, if everyone could send in $10 to help offset the cost. Everyone will get a copy of the book regardless of whether or not you send in the money. Make checks out to : USM Women's Soccer and mail to : Women's Soccer Office, Athletic Dept., USM, 37 College Ave, Gorham, ME 04038.

Notes : I would like to have an end of the season dinner, that all parents, alumni, and friends of the program are invited to. At this dinner, we would honor the seniors and give out team awards. If this sounds appealing to you, please call me.

Wish us luck against Keene!!

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