UNH Earns 3-2 Win Over UMBC to Clinch First-Round Bye

Sunday, October 27

Baltimore, Md.

1 PM

University of New Hampshire

UMBC

Meghan Guarente Scored Her 9th and 10th Goals of the Season

10/27/2024 3:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. – The University of New Hampshire women's soccer team secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over UMBC on Sunday afternoon at Retriever Soccer Park.

Junior Abbi Maier (Cincinnati, Ohio) opened the scoring, and senior Meghan Guarente (Sewell, N.J.) struck twice to lead the 'Cats in their final road game of the regular season. With the win, UNH has clinched a top two seed and first-round bye in the America East Women's Soccer Championship tournament.

Redshirt junior captain Sally Rainey (West Lebanon, N.H.) made two saves in the victory, while UMBC goalkeeper Abbey Cowles tallied five saves.

The Wildcats improve to 11-3-1 on the season and 6-1 in the America East, while UMBC falls to 5-11-1 overall and 1-5-1 in conference play.

Up Next

UNH will be back at home against Maine, who remains unbeaten in conference play, on Thursday, Oct. 31 to compete for the regular season championship. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wildcat Stadium.

how it happened

In the ninth minute, Maier received a pass from sophomore Elizabeth Finn (Scituate, Mass.) just outside the box, took a few touches to maneuver between UMBC defenders, and fired a left-footed shot into the net.

Maier makes it look easy‼️

Here's another look at her first half goal as we head into halftime up 1-0.

Game Day Central ➡️ https://t.co/QluDfFz9zx #BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/1u0jiwPTef
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 27, 2024

The Retrievers had a strong opportunity in the 23rd minute when Izzy Binko launched a shot from just outside the box. Rainey elevated to deflect it over the crossbar, keeping the Retrievers off the board.
UNH maintained pressure early in the second half. When UMBC attempted a clearance, graduate Delaney Lappin (Corbin City, N.J.) blocked it, setting up Guarente at the six-yard box, who drilled it past Cowles to put the 'Cats up 2-0 in the 47th minute.

Guarente strikes again!!!

Her 10th goal of the season puts us up 3-1!

Game Day Central ➡️ https://t.co/QluDfFz9zx #BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/qEvBr0Cmeh
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 27, 2024

The Retrievers found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Guarente picked the pocket of a Retriever defender and slotted home her second goal of the game to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 80th minute.

Guarente strikes again!!!

Her 10th goal of the season puts us up 3-1!

Game Day Central ➡️ https://t.co/QluDfFz9zx #BeTheRoar pic.twitter.com/qEvBr0Cmeh
— UNH Women's Soccer (@UNHWSOC) October 27, 2024

UMBC responded quickly, scoring at the 81:36 mark to narrow the margin to 3-2.

inside the numbers

New Hampshire recorded an advantage in shots (21-7) and shots on goal (8-4).
The Retrievers held a slight edge in corner kicks (4-3).

unh notebook

The Wildcats' 11 wins this season matches the total achieved by the 2017 team, the highest during head coach Steve Welham's tenure since he took over in 2014.
Maier scored for the second consecutive game, marking her third goal of the season.
Guarente scored her ninth and 10th goals of the season, ranking her second in the America East.
New Hampshire will be competing for the regular season championship for the second time in three years.
UNH has clinched a spot in the America East Championship tournament for the 11th consecutive season.

series notebook