Women's soccer handed 3-0 loss at UNE

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Despite leading in shots (25-14) and corners (6-5) the Salve Regina University women's soccer team was defeated by the University of New England, 3-0, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference women's soccer match Saturday at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

The win was the second consecutive shutout in conference play for the Nor'easters, who improve to 5-8 overall, 3-2 in CCC matches. Salve Regina dips to 7-5-1 overall, 2-2-1 in conference play.

Sophomore Margaret Palmer (Scarborough, Maine) had two goals and an assist to augment a 12-save performance by junior goalkeeper Samantha Guyette (Newport, Vt.)

After Salve was unable to convert on some quality chances early, the Nor'easters opened the scoring 8:27 into the contest. Junior Morgan Humphreys (Rocky Hill, Conn.) lobbed a high service from just inside midfield that Palmer brought down and deposited into the back of the net from about eight yards out.

Big Blue doubled its lead in the 34th minute when junior Katy Marshall (Eliot, Maine) took a pass from Palmer out of the left corner and rocketed a high shot just inside the right post for her third marker in two games.

Palmer gave the Nor'easters more breathing room 1:53 into the second half as she converted a header off a service from the right side by sophomore Jayne Kelly (Hooksett, N.H.).

Guyette preserved the shutout with a spectacular save in the 74th minute. Salve Regina senior Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) got in behind the UNE defense, but Guyette came off her line and made a diving stop to her right to deny the CCC's top goal scorer. For the match, Guyette piled up 12 saves.

Junior goalkeeper Jacqueline McPherson (Mansfield, Mass.) made four stops for the Seahawks, who led in shots (25-14) and corner kicks (6-5).

Both teams play non-conference matches this coming week. UNE hosts Bates College Tuesday (Oct. 9), and Salve Regina plays a road match Wednesday (Oct. 10) at Johnson and Wales University.

Release Courtesy of UNE Sports Information