ORONO, Maine – The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team was back competing in its traditional season for the first time in over a year. Unfortunately, the Pioneers were unable to capitalize on their opportunities as they dropped, 2-0, at Maine on Thursday night.  
 
Records
Sacred Heart: 0-1
Maine: 1-0
 
Top Performers
Kayla Kraemer (Maine): 1 goal
 
Goalies
Elyssa Kipperman (SHU): (L, 0-1, 1 save, 2 goals)
Kira Kutzinski (Maine): (W, 1-0, 3 saves)
  
Of Note
Both teams battled evenly until Maine's Hannah Bamford fired a shot at Elyssa Kipperman with under a minute to play in the first half. The junior goalkeeper made the initial save but Kayla Kraemer took advantage of the rebound to give the Black Bears the 1-0 advantage at the break. 
 
The Black Bears carried the ball down the sideline and sent it across the box during the 56^th minute. Abby Kramer tapped it in for the two-goal cushion and Maine held onto its lead for the remainder of the game. 
 
Sacred Heart was unable to capitalize on its six corner opportunities, compared to Maine's five. 
 
The Black Bears outshot the Pioneers, 10-7, but both teams matched with three shots on target. Juniors Nichol Green and Azria Malloy led the Red & White with a pair of shots. Green put both attempts on frame while Malloy tallied one. 
 
Five first-years made their collegiate debuts including Jaci Budaj, Kelly Cheevers, Paige Weis, Kelly Medeiros and Maggie O'Neill. Medeiros fired one shot for the first of her career.