Minutewomen Drop Overtime Nailbiter To Maine

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Massachusetts (0-1) dropped a 2-1 overtime nailbiter to Maine (1-1) in the 2024 season opener. The Minutewomen held a convincing 15-8 advantage in shots but were unable to convert in overtime, dropping just their second ever game to the Black Bears.

Massachusetts controlled much of the action, repeatedly probing into the Maine offensive third. The Minutewomen forced six penalty corners, compared to just one for Maine. Sophomore Neva Eisenga starter her 2024 campaign strong, converting a penalty corner goal off an assist from Savanna Henderson.

Massachusetts peppered the net for much of the game with five different Minutewomen recording two shots on the day. Graduate Student Paula Lorenzini put a team-high two shots on goal in her first game back on the pitch since a season-ending injury in September of last season vs. Maine.

Breaking Down The Action

Maine struck first as forward Saylor Kuefler converted the Black Bears first shot of the game to create a 1-0 advantage 3:26 into the first quarter.
The Mintuewomen wasted no time as Neva Eisenga converted a Savanna Henderson assist off a penalty corner with 10:18 remaining in the first quarter to bring UMass back level, 1-1.
The first quarter ended with the score 1-1, Myrte van Herwijnen recorded two saves in the opening period while the Minutewomen totaled four shots on offense.
The game remained deadlocked in the second quarter as the halftime whistle blew with the score still knotted up at 1-1.
The Minutewomen held a 4-1 advantage in shots across the third period but could not break the draw, keeping the score 3-3 after 45 minutes.
Massachusetts once again controlled the offense in the fourth quarter, holding a 3-0 edge in shots, but the score remained even at 1-1 after regulation.
Maine converted its first shot since the third quarter, securing a 2-1 overtime off a goal from Zoe Furber.

Notable Numbers

1: With her equalizer in the first quarter sophomore Neva Eisenga netted her first career collegiate goal
5: Five Minutewomen recorded two shots on the afternoon.
6: Massachusetts forced 6 penalty corners, holding a 6-1 lead over the Black Bears.
15: The Minutewomen totaled 15 shots, holding a 15-8 advantage in the matchup.

Series History

The Minutewomen are now 20-2-1 all-time against the Black Bears.

Up Next

UMass continues their opening weekend in Evanston, challenging preseason no. 1 Northwestern on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on B1G+ and can be followed live on umassathletics.com or UMassFH on Twitter.

Scoreboard

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Team Stats

Neva Eisenga

Savanna Henderson

Elani Sherwood

Dempsey Campbell

Players Mentioned

Neva Eisenga

Savanna Henderson

Paula Lorenzini

Players Mentioned

Neva Eisenga

Savanna Henderson

Paula Lorenzini

Scoreboard

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