PRESQUE ISLE, ME
The UMPI Women's Soccer team wrapped up their first full-conference weekend at home as they went from one high-powered offense to the next. Lesley University—a turf school, eventually adapted quite well to Park Family Field's natural grass as they hung a five-piece while shutting down the Owls' defense.
How it Happened:
The Lynx put up an outstanding number of shots at the Owls, and they struck first in the 6th minute to take a 1-0 lead. UMPI did threaten however—something they couldn't say the day before on a counterattack that saw Ella McCarthy and Maggie Landeen pressure the Lesley Keeper each firing off shots consecutively, as she came off her line, but they couldn't quite finish the job that would've tied the game. Lesley was able to add another goal in the 35th minute to take a two-goal lead at half. The Owls did an excellent job preventing it from spiraling early. They faced 24 shots in the first half alone.
In the second half, Lesley got on the board early again, this one eight minutes into the frame to make it 3-0. That's where it seemed it would stay until the Lynx scored two more goals in the final six minutes to make it a 5-0 score. UMPI faced a season high 43 shots, 26 of which were on goal (also a season high).
Top Performers:
Michaela Carney started her first game of the season in net for UMPI but exited midway through the first half as a precaution after a point-blank save knocked her down. Regular starter Natalie Miranda relieved her and made two saves. But Carney would not be down for long as she got back out there before the first half ended. Carney had a career day, with 17 saves as she faced a gauntlet Lynx attack. Carney's 17 saves is a single-game high in the North Atlantic Conference this season. Ella McCarthy had the aforementioned golden opportunity for UMPI, putting a good shot off but a better save prevented it from being a goal. She had the only shot on goal, while Maggie Landeen's subsequent rebound opportunity was the only other shot UMPI had on the day.
Next Up:
The Owls will have a week of practices to gear up for another home conference weekend. This one will take place on Homecoming Weekend as UMPI hosts VTSU-Johnson and VTSU-Lyndon.
