ORONO, ME — Host Maine scored a goal in each half and managed to keep NJIT off the board as the Highlanders fell, 2-0, Sunday afternoon at New Balance Soccer Complex on the campus of The University of Maine.
Abbey Thornton scored in the 20th minute and Isabella Meadows found twine in the 64th for Maine, which took the 3 points and improved to 5-4-3 (2-1-1). NJIT fell to 4-8-1 (1-4-0).
Meadows was a struggle for NJIT to contain on the afternoon, tallying 7 shots (3 on goal) to lead a balanced Maine attack which saw 5 different players register a shot on target. Thornton also registered double-digit shots (3).
It was a relatively quiet day on NJIT's attacking end. The Highlanders mustered up a few chances in the 1st Half, but were held without a shot in the 2nd Half. Kirra Hyder led the attack with a pair of shots (both on goal).
Kaele Smith matched a career-high with 6 saves in goal, playing the entire 2nd Half. Penelope Krieger raised her America East Conference-leading saves mark to 42 with a pair of saves in the opening frame.
Smith has now reached her career-high saves mark in both of her most recent games played (9/27 at UAlbany).
Elena Barenberg saved both shots on target that she faced to record the shutout for Maine.
In total, Maine controlled the advantage on shots (17-3), shots on goal (10-2), and corners (6-0).
Up Next
After playing its last two matches on the road, NJIT returns home to Newark to take on Vermont next Sunday. Two of the Highlanders' final three games are at home, with a road trip to Binghamton sandwiched in between next Sunday and the season finale against UMass Lowell.
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