There will be a first-time champion in America East women’s soccer after #2 Maine and #4 UMass Lowell each won thrilling #AEChamps semifinal contests on Thursday evening.
The two teams will play for the 2023 #AEWSOC title after the Black Bears’ 90th-minute score sent them over #6 Vermont, 2-1, while the River Hawks scored in the second overtime period to post a 2-1 win over #1 Binghamton.
UMass Lowell will visit Maine in the title game on Sunday. Kick off time is 2 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+. This is the River Hawks second-ever championship game appearance and first since 2018 while the Black Bears last reached the final in 2010. Both teams are seeking their first-ever conference crown.
Semifinals Recap
#2 Maine 2, #6 Vermont 1
- America East Striker of the Year Abby Kraemer scored twice, including the game-winning goal with just 29 seconds left, to lift Maine over Vermont in #AEWSOC semifinals.
- Kraemer started the scoring in the 11th minute off assists from Lara Kirby and Kristina Kelly.
- Despite Maine generating more opportunities, UVM evened the score early in the second half on Lauren DeGroot’s goal from in front in the 52nd minute.
- Both teams generated some chances but the game appeared heading to overtime until Kraemer converted a free kick from 20 yards out just seconds remaining.
- This is Maine’s first championship game appearance since 2010 and sixth all time.
- Maine outshot Vermont, 14-7.
#4 UMass Lowell 2, #1 Binghamton 1 (OT)
- UMass Lowell scored a pair of unanswered goals, including Hope Santaniello’s in overtime, to knock off regular-season champion and top-seeded Binghamton in the #AEWSOC semifinals.
- Binghamton controlled the first half and didn’t waste any time getting on the board as Sophia Garofalo’s first career goal in just the second minute.
- Julia Edholm tied the score in the 69th minute, netting a low shot from 18 yards out.
- The game went to overtime with no team scoring through the first 11 minutes when Santaniello sent a beautiful header into the back of the net of a flick from a corner.
- The Bearcats threatened to tie the game and send it to penalty kicks, but UML goalkeeper Taylor Burgess made three of five saves in the second overtime period.
- This is UML’s second-ever title game appearance and first since 2018 when it lost to UAlbany, 4-1.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links as well as box scores, highlights and recaps following each round in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
Follow @AmericaEast on Twitter and Instagram to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEWSOC hashtags to join the conversation.
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