Box Score GORHAM, Maine – Despite severely lacking in goal-scoring ability this year, the Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team had just enough firepower to post its 20th consecutive victory over the University of Southern Maine, 1-0, in a Little East Conference match Saturday afternoon at Hannaford Field.
For offense, Eastern (4-6-0, 3-1-0 LEC) turned to its defense, and freshman back Emily Belval (Southbury) delivered with her first career goal on her first recorded shot with five minutes left in the first half and the Warriors went on to shut out Southern Maine (4-7-1, 0-4-0) for the seventh straight time and ninth time in the last ten meetings.
Despite struggling this year, Eastern managed to remain in the race for the LEC regular-season title (although its remaining four conference matches are against the upper division) after evening its record on its opponent's field at 3-3-0. UMass Boston remained atop the standings with 12 points (4-0-0), with Eastern, Western Connecticut and Castleton following with nine, although Western has played one less game than Eastern and Castleton.
The Warriors emerged with a road win despite being outshot 17-2 (although Eastern gave up only one corner kick).
Southern Maine pressured early, testing Eastern senior goalkeeper senior Erin Collins (Millis, MA) with on-target attempts from senior Adela Kalilwa and junior Ciera Berthiaume in the opening 12 minutes.
However, after a Husky foul led to a free kick just outside the box, Belval put her first career shot on frame, where it was tipped by the USM keeper on its way into the net.
In the second half, Southern Maine controlled play, outshooting the Warriors 12-0, but was unable to find an equalizer as Collins stood tall in net collecting five of her eight saves in the final 45 minutes. The save total was the second-highest of the year for Collins, most in a win. The shutout was the first full career one for Collins, who had combined on one in her only start of 2018.
USM freshman goalkeeper Kayla Gorman faced only two shots but sustained the loss.
Eastern hosts Connecticut College Tuesday at 3 p.m. in a non-conference match. The Camels are ranked No. 25 nationally and No. 6 in New England and have beaten Eastern the last three times the programs have met, the last two by shutout.
