Maine women are in AE playoffs

1-0 win over UNH clinches league tournament berth

October 24, 2008

The University of Maine women's soccer defeated New Hampshire, 1-0, Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Black Bears clinch a spot in the America East playoffs.

Maine (6-4-6, 3-2-2 AE) was led by senior captain Christine LaBelle, who notched her fifth goal of the season on Senior Day.

LaBelle notched the game-winner in the 32nd minute when she took a shot from 25 yards out and put it in the top-left corner where no keeper could have saved it. The Black Bears continued to apply the pressure, out-shooting the Wildcats 9-2 in the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Maine controlled the flow of the game and played stellar defense to preserve the victory over UNH (6-10-1, 5-3).

Black Bear defenders Cristina Di Ielsi, Anjelica Hodgson, Kaitlyn MacIsaac, Hailey Blackburn (York, Maine) and Sady Tobin allowed only three shots on net, helping keeper Jasmine Phillips earn her 35th career shutout.

Nikki Golding (Milton, Mass.) and Ally Yost combined to make five saves in net for the Wildcats.