ORONO, Maine – America East Striker of the Year Abby Kraemer scored on a free-kick with 29 seconds left in regulation to lift the two-seed Maine Black Bears in 2-1 win over the six-seed Vermont in the America East Semifinals Thursday evening from Mahaney Diamond.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)

COACH'S QUOTE
"This was obviously not the outcome we were hoping for tonight and it's unfortunate the way the game ended," said head coach Kristi Huizenga. "We are a team that likes to move the ball on the ground and that was not possible today due to the conditions, but I though we adjusted well. We are so proud of our seniors and fifth years who have at Vermont since day one and all they have contributed to Vermont Soccer and the UVM community. It's very fulfilling to see their growth as players and people throughout their time here."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Black Bears came out strong in the opening minutes of the contest. Vermont's Erin Murphy made two early saves as Maine pressed for the opening goal.
• At the 10:28 mark of the first half Maine's Kramer gave the Black Bears the early lead. Kristina Kelly played the ball into the box to her teammate Laura Kirkby. Kirkby turned her defender with solid first touch and passed over to Kraemer who was able to tap it home.
• The Catamounts earned two corners in the first half but the Black Bears Kira Kutzinski made three saves in the opening 45 giving Maine the 1-0 lead at the break.
• Vermont equalized 6:28 into the second half. Tessa Weiss won the ball in the Vermont end and quickly fed a through ball to Lauren DeGroot. DeGroot played a beautiful first touch to break past the last Maine defender on the play. At full speed DeGroot played two dribbles as the Maine defense stayed with her. Kutzinski came out on the play and just as DeGroot was about to be closed down she poked the ball past Kutzinski for her second goal of the postseason.
• In the 77th minute the Catamounts almost took the lead. Off a corner kick Sydney Remington had the keeper beat on the play but Maine's Myla Schneider cleared it off the line to keep things tied at one.
• In the final minute of regulation, the Black Bears broke in transition and earned a free kick just outside the box right at midfield. Kraemer stepped up and floated a perfect shot just under the bar to stun the upset-minded Catamounts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vermont concludes the season with a record of 10-7-1, it is the 10th ten-win season in program history and second in the last three years.
• Kate Bossert's 10 goals this season is tied for sixth all-time in program history with four other players.
• The Catamounts 34 goals scored this year are the most by Vermont since 1998 when they scored 35. 34 tallies in a season is tied for sixth best in program history.