Phillips leads Maine women

Keeper makes 12 saves in 1-0 win over Albany

October 3, 2008

The University of Maine women’s soccer team defeated the University at Albany by the score of 1-0 on Thursday evening at Alumni Field in Orono.

With the win, Maine improved to 4-2-4 overall and 1-1 in America East while Albany went to 2-11 and 0-2 in league play.

Maine's Jasmine Phillips made 12 saves for the Black Bears.. (Maine Athletics)

The Black Bears were led by Jasmine Phillips (Nepean, Ontario), who made 12 saves in net for her 32nd career shutout.

The Black Bears scored the game’s only goal just under two minutes into the game, courtesy of senior captain Christine LaBelle (Nepean, Ontario). LaBelle dribbled to the Albany end line and cut across from left to right along the goal line.

As defenders challenged, LaBelle changed speed and ended up right in front of the keeper at the near post. LaBelle blasted a shot that hit Albany goalie Amber Maisonet’s (Newburgh, N.Y.) hands and went in.

Maine had other chances, especially from senior midfielder Kim Stephenson (Hampden, Maine), who had two hard shots, but Maisonet was able to make the saves. Véronique Fleury (Montreal, Quebec) also played well and developed several scoring opportunities.

In the back for the Black Bears, Cristina Di Ielsi (Laval, Quebec) played phenomenal for the Black Bears’ defensive corps.

The Great Danes’ best chance came with just over 14 minutes left when Jaclyn Rosada (Wyckoff, N.J.) hit a hard shot at the top of the 18-yard box. Phillips made a phenomenal diving save to preserve the shutout for the Black Bears.

Albany had 12 shots on net to Maine’s nine, although the Black Bears had the majority of the quality scoring chances.

The Black Bears return to action Sunday when they travel to play Binghamton at noon. Maine returns home on Thursday at 3 p.m. to play the Hartford Hawks.

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