HENNICKER, NH | AUGUSTA, ME
UMPI Women's Soccer opened up their 2025 season with a road twin bill at New England College on Saturday, and UMaine Augusta on Sunday. The Owls couldn't find the back of the net in either matchup, falling 3-0 to the Pilgrims on Saturday and 1-0 to the Moose on Sunday, though they take a lot of positives away going into another weekend back-to-back this coming weekend at home.
Saturday: 3-0 Pilgrims
Saturday's season opener began as a bit of a stalemate for the first 37 minutes until NEC got on the board in the 38th minute to take a 1-0 lead. That's how it would stay going into halftime as team's made adjustments. The Pilgrims didn't waste nearly as much time in the second half to find the back of the net as they made it 2-0 in the 51st minute. They'd add one more in the 66th minute to effectively put the game away. The Pilgrims preserved the shutout the rest of the way, winning 3-0.
Top Performers:
The Owls struggled mightily to get any kind of shots off throughout the contest. It wasn't for lack of pressure however, as they earned two corner kicks in the first four minutes. They'd finish the day with only two shots in total, and one on goal coming from Ella McCarthy. The Pilgrims had 23 total shots, and 10 on target. UMPI's new starting goalkeeper Natalie Miranda, a transfer from San Diego Mesa College, saved six shots and allowed three goals through her 85 minutes in net. Lauren Cooley came in for the final five minutes, making one save.
Sunday: 1-0 Moose
In Sunday's noontime start, the Owls looked to bounce back after travelling back up North to Augusta. Their offense never could cash in however, as the Moose kept the Owls at bay all afternoon. In the 30th minute of the first half, UMA's Dixie Szabo found the back of the net to give the Moose the lead. UMPI was much better on the attack on this day, as they put up 17 shots on goal as a team (and 27 total shots), but frustratingly couldn't cash in on any of them. UMA had 14 shots on goal on 23 shots in total.
Top Performers:
Natalie Miranda was stellar in goal for UMPI as she kept the Owls in the game, playing all 90 minutes this time, and made 13 saves. Ella McCarthy had seven total shots, three of which on target, while Abby Doughty also helped lead the charge with six shots, and a team-leading five on goal. Senior Camryn Ala had three shots on goal, while first-year Madison Bridges came off the bench and had two on goal.
Next Up:
The Owls will recover and get back to practices for five days before they have another full weekend, this time at home. They will host MMA for a non-conference matchup on Saturday at 1, before hosting Fisher College on Sunday for a noon kickoff.
