The USM Women’s soccer team made it back to the NCAA tournament for the third straight year in a row. Their 3-0 shutout win over Western Connecticut on Nov. 9 secured their third consecutive Little East Conference Title. The Huskies continued their postseason run Nov. 16 during the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament in New Jersey.
According to Christina Cracolicio, USM’s director of athletic communications, Southern Maine faced No. 18 Johns Hopkins University (15-2-3, 9-1 Centennial Conference) at host site TCNJ in Ewing, NJ at Lions Stadium. Johns Hopkins earned an automatic bid to the tournament for the third consecutive year as the Blue Jays won the Centennial Conference Tournament title with a 2-0 win over Franklin & Marshall. The 2024 NCAA appearance was the 22nd for the Blue Jays, including their 19th consecutive, dating back to 2005. The match was the first all-time meeting between the Blue Jays and the Huskies. The game resulted in a 2-0 loss for the Huskies, ending their NCAA run; with the Blue Jays scoring a goal in each half and holding the Huskies scoreless.
Photo credit:James Liebowitz / USM AthleticsMia Sargent applauded by her teammates after being announced MVP
The Huskies were led all season long once again, by Catriona Gould, Sr., (14 Goals, 4 assists), Riley Reitchel, So., (9 goals, 11 assists), Julia McKenna, Jr., (8 goals, 7 assists), Eliza Roy, Sr., (8 goals, 5 assists), Plus key defenders Kiki Huntress, Jr., CDM and Mia Sargent, Sr., Back-Two time LEC Defensive Player of the year, and Bre Atwood, Sr., GK, (15-1- 4, 0.65 GAA, .874 Save Percentage). The Huskies outscored their opponents 73-17 this season, setting a program record for single-season goals. Southern Maine earned 10 shutouts this season. Congratulations to the Huskies for another remarkable season for the Women’s Soccer Program.
Photo credit:James Liebowitz / USM AthleticsTeammates celebrate another goal scored