Black Bears struggle but still shut down Albany for 2nd win

ORONO – University of Maine women’s soccer coach soccer coach Scott Atherley was “disappointed” with his team’s performance in its 3-0 win over America East newcomer University at Albany in their mutual league opener Friday afternoon.

He thought his team played as individuals and needs to play with more discipline and focus beginning with Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against another newcomer, SUNY Stony Brook.

But he’ll gladly take the win.

His Bears parlayed first-half goals from Jen Buckley and former Mount Desert Island High School star Maija Kaldro, an insurance second-half score from Annie Hamel and the impressive play of freshmen sweeper Linda Consolante and left back Allison Kelly into the triumph.

The 6-foot Consolante was a tower of strength and efficiency in the back and Kelly was poised and steady while also notching a pair of assists.

The Bears outshot the gritty Danes 17-2 and junior goalie Naomi Welsh was forced to make only one routine save, that coming with just 3:35 remaining. Albany started 10 freshmen.

Maine is 2-1-1 overall while Albany fell to 1-3.

“It was a solid victory,” said sophomore back Buckley, who opened the scoring 8:58 into the game off a Kelly corner.

“Linda [Consolante] made a run into the area and the ball got over the goalie’s head. I chested it down and put it in,” said Buckley, who was unmarked eight yards from goal.

Wheaton College (Mass.) transfer Kaldo made it 2-0 13:54 later on the rebound of a low Katie Hodge shot from the top of the area that bounced out of Spinelli’s hands.

Hamel had fed Hodge.

“Coach [Atherley] is always telling us to go to goal hard,” said Kaldro of her first UMaine goal.

“Maija’s speed, hard work and will created that goal,” said Atherley.

Spinelli said, “It was wet and slippery and I got my pinkie caught.”

Hamel’s goal with 18:35 was a beauty off a long diagonal ball from Kelly.

The ball took one hop and Hamel flicked it over the head of Spinelli, who kept the score respectable by stopping two penalty kicks in the final 7:17.

“I saw where their eyes went first,” said Spinelli, who finished with eight saves.