CASTINE, ME
The UMPI Men's Soccer Team traveled to Maine Maritime Academy with three games remaining on their schedule. The Owls had fallen 3-0 to the Mariners back on September 14th. This time the narrative was different playing on their turf.
UMPI matched punch for punch in the first half as MMA narrowly outshot them 9-8. The Mariners got on the board first with a goal in the 16th minute. UMPI was able to snag one before the half however, when Isaac Doore ripped an amazing ball from 40 yards out that hit the post and found its way in. The stunner tied the game at 1 and helped take momentum in favor of UMPI going into halftime.
The second half remained scoreless for a while until MMA was able to score in the 82nd minute to break the tie. With less than nine minutes remaining, the Owls did not quit however and continued to apply pressure. That pressure resulted in an MMA handball inside the 18'. The Owls earned a penalty kick and Remar Shirely was to take it. Shirley picked out a great spot in the low right corner and tied the game at 2 with less than three minutes to go. The game finished at that score as the Owls stunned MMA with Shirely's late game equalizer.
Samuel Paladino played well in the first half in net but had to exit due to an injury. With the backup keeper unavailable as well, Matthieu Adrien stepped up in the second half as an emergency goalie, and made five saves to keep the Owls in the game in his first collegiate action at the very demanding position.
It was an extraordinary team effort on part of the Owls, who earn the big conference draw.
UMPI now sits at 2-10-1 on the season and have two games remaining on their schedule.
