UMPI, Husson women play to tie

BANGOR – Soccer ties can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

But, every so often, a tie is an accurate indicator of the play, and coaches and players accept it without the bitter aftertaste.

That was the situation at the Husson College field Monday where, on a sloppy field buffeted by a biting wind, the University of Maine-Presque Isle and Husson battled to a 0-0 double overtime women’s soccer draw.

“The girls played very well for both teams,” said UMPI coach Charlie Hamel.

Husson coach Keith Bosley termed it a “blood and guts” type of game.

“We’re happy with the tie. It was a pretty even game all the way through,” said UMPI junior Angie Dickinson of Washburn who, along with Ashland junior Jennifer Carney, did an exceptional job in the back.

Dickinson and Carney had their hands full with the likes of ever-dangerous Leslie Weed and Kate Calligan but, as Calligan pointed out, “they marked us very well.”

UMPI is now 6-5-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the Maine Athletic Conference while Husson is 9-5-1, 3-4-1.

UMPI outshot Husson 22-20 with Husson freshman goalie Meg Taylor making 10 saves and UMPI sophomore netminder Devin Jewett rejecting six shots.

It was Taylor’s nine shutout of the season, including five in a row.

Jewett posted her fifth whitewashing.

Husson had the more dangerous opportunities off counterattacks, particularly in the first half, even though the Braves were going against the wind.

Just seven minutes into the game, Weed created a partial break-in down the left flank only to have her left-footed shot snared by Jewett in the midsection.

“I covered the near post. I figured my defenders would be at the far post,” said Fort Fairfield’s Jewett.

UMPI’s best opportunity in the first half came late when Vanessa Cipriani launched a rising shot from the top of the penalty box that Orono’s Taylor parried off the crossbar and then pulled out of the air.

“I didn’t see it until the last second. I just tried to get a piece of it,” said Taylor.

There were a few more near-misses in the second half.

UMPI’s Stephanie Gagnon had her 18-yard shot with five minutes left sail just high.

“I think the wind took it,” said Gagnon.

With just six seconds left in regulation, Calligan worked her way free while cutting across the top of the penalty area but her well-struck 20-yarder carried wide of the post to Jewett’s left.

In overtime, Jewett smothered a dangerous Calligan shot with her legs after Calligan cut in off the left flank.

Later, Gagnon fed a nice through-ball to Heather Norsworthy but Husson’s Mandy Fanjoy came across at the last second and got a piece of the shot.