Pioneers Take Down Maine, 2-1, in Comeback Fashion

Sunday, August 23

Orono, ME

12:00 PM

Sacred Heart

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Maine

1-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Sacred Heart	0	2	2
Maine	1	0	1

Photo by: Maine Athletics

Pioneers Take Down Maine, 2-1, in Comeback Fashion

8/23/2026 2:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Pioneers are 3-0 for the first time in program history

By: Joe Verrillo

Orono, ME. – The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team took down the University of Maine, 2-1, in dramatic comeback fashion, finding the back of the net twice in the final minutes of play to improve to 3-0 for the first time in program history.

Top Performers:
Riley Pettigrew: 1 goal
Hannah Murphy: 1 goal
Lyndsey Laperle: 2 assists

Between the Pipes:
Sacred Heart: Kyran Thievon: 1 goal allowed | 0 saves | Casey Mulligan: (W 2-0-0) 0 goals allowed | 0 saves
Maine: Elena Barenberg: 2 goals allowed | 2 saves

How it Happened:
Maine came out aggressive to start the match. Although the Black Bears recorded just one shot in the opening 10 minutes, Thievon was involved early and often as Maine continued to apply pressure. The Black Bears eventually broke through in the ninth minute, finding the back of the net to take an early 1-0 lead.

In the 25th minute, the Pioneers generated their best attacking opportunity of the match to that point. Pettigrew fired a shot from outside the box on the left side, forcing Maine's goalkeeper to punch the shot over the crossbar.

Shortly after, the Pioneers were granted another strong opportunity as Shea Kelleher lined up for a free kick just outside the box. Unfortunately, the Pios were unable to capitalize on the chance, keeping the score at 1-0.

The start of the second half started with a goalie change for the Pios. Mulligan took over for Thievon.

The Pioneers came out of the break playing fast and aggressive, consistently pushing the ball upfield and applying pressure on the Maine back defense. Sacred Heart continued to press, looking to force the Black Bears into a mistake and create an opportunity. Despite the increased pressure, Maine's defense stood strong through the opening 10 minutes of the half.

As the half continued, the Pioneers maintained their aggressive attack. By the 80th minute, Sacred Heart still trailed by just one goal but continued to push forward in search of the equalizer.

The persistence finally paid off when Pettigrew found the back of the net off a feed from Laperle to even the score. Just minutes later, Laperle helped create another scoring opportunity, this time finding Murphy, who buried a shot for the first collegiate goal of her career and gave the Pioneers the lead. In a span of just three minutes, Sacred Heart flipped the match, going from a goal down to holding a one-goal advantage.

For the remainder of the game, the Pioneer defense stood tall and stopped every Black Bear opportunity that came, which completed the comeback win.

Of Note:
Murphy's game-winner was her first collegiate goal
Pettigrew matches her 2025 goal total, two, in just three games
Laperle now has seven career assists
The Pioneers have outscored their opponents 8-2 in their first three games

Up Next:
Sacred Heart will travel back home and will host the University of New Haven on Thursday, August 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Park Ave Field.