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University Times SPORTS October 22, 2010
Patrick Manifold
UMPI Womenʼs Soccer vs. MMA
STAFF WRITER
The sun was shining and the bleachers along both sides of the Park Family soccer field were packed with UMPI soccer fans. As it happened to be alumni weekend, the atmosphere was electric as the UMPI women’s soccer team was about to take on local rivals Maine Maritime Academy. The Owls kick off and keep possession within the midfield, after just 3 minutes, a ball goes over the top of the defense and #2 Desiree Smith places the ball in the bottom corner leaving the keeper left still as a statue, 1-0 UMPI. With 28 minutes to go in the first half, Smith, after using good skills to beat her defender, crosses the ball from the right hand side of the box and #25 Elena Estrada connects with a thunderous strike which lands in the back of the net, 2-0 UMPI. On a rare MMA attack they place a ball over the top of the UMPI defense which ends up in a goal, thankfully for the girl’s the linesman has his flag up for offside and the goal is disallowed. This disallowed goal
Carolynn Tuck kicking the ball. seemed to give MMA a boost of confidence as they attack again, but due to a courageous dive at the feet of the striker by #17 goalkeeper Taylor Ussery, she could not even get a shot off. This great save spurred on our Owls to counter attack, the ball was delicately passed through the midfield and after a great pass #14 Carolyn Tuck volleys the ball with great force, the keeper dives but has no chance as the ball sails over her head into the back of the net,
superb goal, 3-0 UMPI. Continuing their onslaught of attacks, Desiree makes another run down the right wing and crosses the ball which lands at #21 Susan Lavertu’s feet, she strikes the ball with her right foot and leaves the keeper on the ground searching in the back of the net for the ball, like it’s a lost contact lens, 4-0 UMPI. As halftime came, the Owls were confident and the second half just seemed like a formality. But MMA came out determined to make a game of it and showed resiliency. But UMPI defended like warriors, still keeping the strikers at an arm’s length. New coach Dan Williams, who was directing the team from the sideline was very vocal. Coach Dan opted to play the 4-4-2 formation for this game, which complimented this squad’s ability wonderfully. When the final whistle blew, the large crowd erupted with gracious applause for the show put on by the fearsome lady Owls. What a great win against a team UMPI women have not beaten for quite some time. And what better time to do it than on a sunny alumni weekend. What a start to the season for the girls: 4-0 UMPI.
Spaghetti Supper a Sure Success Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
Tasty pasta, quality conversation and familiar faces. What more could anyone ask for? The UMPI women’s soccer team made sure everyone got what they wanted on September 17. Starting at 5:30 p.m. in the multipur pose room of the Campus Center, they dolled out servings of spaghetti to anyone standing in line. The spaghetti supper was designed to bring in money for the soccer team and, judging by the attendance, it was a major success. Approximately 100 or so people from campus and the community showed up to support them. Oftentimes the line was so long it spilled out into the hallway and so many people were talking at once it was impossible to distinguish one conversation from another. Besides spaghetti, the women’s soccer team offered an assortment of other food and beverages to those in attendance. Options included sauce with and without meat, bread, salad, deserts such
as cookies and brownies and beverages such as water, lemonade, iced tea and fruit punch. Staff always seemed to be replacing the spaghetti and salad, bringing out a new dish only to have it disappear a few minutes later. Hungry supporters made sure everyone stayed busy. As fo r t he so cc er playe r s, t h e y f u n c t i o n e d a s b o t h ser ver s a nd delivere r s. W h i l e s o m e l a d l e d sauce or scooped salad, ot h e r s bro ug h t plat es to p e o p l e ’s t a b l e s a n d d i s tributed silverware and n a p k i n s. They w ove around tables with a sm i l e or o ccasio n al w ave, sometimes stopping to ch at w ith f rie nd s o r peop le t hey kne w. Outside the multi-purpose room, new soccer coach Dan Williams rejoiced alongside team members. “I’d like to say it’s so great seeing so many people out here supporting the girls, and long may it continue,” he said, sounding both happy and hopeful. If this year’s spaghetti supper was any indication, Williams’ wish is sure to come true.