University of New England Athletics

Statistics

GORHAM, Maine – The University of New England women's soccer team remained perfect, improving to 4-0 on the season with a 1-0 non-conference victory over intrastate opponent Southern Maine on Wednesday night at Hannaford Field.
 
Behind Haley Coombs' five-save shutout, Emily Talbot's 61st-minute goal was all the Nor'easters needed to secure their first 4-0 start since 2014.
 
Southern Maine goalkeeper McKenzie Vano turned in 10 saves, but was bested by Talbot as the sophomore won the race to a downfield ball from Jill Hodgson, and recorded her fourth of the season. Talbot has scored four goals in the past three games, and has at least two points to her credit in each of the Nor'easters' four games this season.
 
Coombs' clean sheet was the seventh of her career, and the first of her junior campaign. USM (2-2) is the second opponent blanked by UNE this season, joining Saint Joseph's College of Maine, which UNE defeated 4-0 in the season opener.

"Our defense really stepped up tonight," head coach AJ Stueck commented. "It's always a difficult crosstown rivalry with USM, and the defense came ready to battle. Haley was at her best, which makes us difficult to score on. Emily continues to rise to the occasion in big moments for our team."
 
UNE chalked up an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal, with Talbot's individual on-target attempts (6) outnumbering the Huskies. Once the Nor'easters took their 1-0 lead, USM was held to just one shot on goal for the remainder of the night.
 
Johnson & Wales visits UNE for the Conference of New England opener on Saturday, Sept. 12 at noon.