Black Bears knock off Retrievers Crawford propels Maine into league semi Friday

ORONO – University of Maine senior two-sport performer Emily Stevens won’t be accompanying the Black Bear women’s hockey team to a Friday night game at Providence’s Brown University.

That’s because her goal in Tuesday’s 3-1 America East quarterfinal soccer win over the University of Maryland Baltimore County was pivotal in sending the Bears into Friday afternoon’s 3:00 semifinal against 7-10-2 Hartford at Boston University’s Nickerson Field.

The midfielder’s second goal of the season with 6:52 left in the first half tied the game and dramatically changed the momentum, resulting in senior striker Kate Crawford’s decisive second-half goals off Kim Walsh assists.

“That first goal was critical. Once we got that one, we settled down and played our game,” said Maine coach Scott Atherley, whose Bears were making their first-ever post-season appearance. “The nerves were released, we went into the half with the momentum and we outplayed them in the second half.”

“Their first goal gave them extra legs,” agreed Maryland Baltimore County sophomore goalie Robin Babaris. “We were still focused and mentally into it but that gave them a little more confidence.”

Freshman striker Amanda DiCarlo’s fifth goal of the season 17:34 into the game had stunned the tentative Bears, who had been outplayed by the tenacious Retrievers.

But Stevens converted a flick-on header by Katie Hodge off an Angela Clark cross to give Maine a badly-needed lift.

“I was lucky on that one,” said Stevens. “I saw Hodge head it so I went in and hoped for the best. I slid, the goalie went down and it went up over her.”

Maine took complete control of the game at the outset of the second half and the alert Crawford broke the tie with 30:32 left.

Senior midfielder Walsh took a long pass from Linda Consolante, maneuvered past a defender and struck an a 18-yard shot that hit the underside of the cross bar.

The speedy Crawford raced in and knocked it into the net while colliding with Babaris.

“Kim had an amazing shot. It might have gone in but I wanted to be there to make sure it did,” said Crawford who added the clinching goal 16:02 later off a perfect short through ball from Walsh.

“Kim waited so well and gave me the most perfect through ball I’ve ever seen,” said Crawford, who tucked her fourth goal of the season inside the far post. “It’s easy when it’s just you and the goalie.”

“We practice that all the time,” said Walsh. “She spins off the defender and I slip her a through ball.”

Babaris said, “Our defenders pulled up [to draw Maine offsides] but they got through [on Stevens’ goal and Crawford’s second score]. It was bad timing. We were little bit unlucky.”

Maine, 13-3-1 overall, didn’t allow the youthful Retrievers their first shot at goal in the second half until there was just 9:20 remaining.

Maine had a 10-2 shots-at-goal margin in the second half and finished with an overall 21-9 edge.

DiCarlo opened the scoring when she ran on to Lori Quintavalle’s header off an Elizabeth Day cross and directed the ball around Maine goalie Tanya Adorno (two saves).

Babaris wound up with four saves for 7-8-1 UMBC.