Copyright Bangor Daily News
University of Maine women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley reached a milestone with his team’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over New Hampshire in their America East quarterfinal on Sunday at the New Balance Soccer Complex. He became just the second America East women’s soccer coach to post 200 wins with the same program. “It’s a product of time,” said the 60-year-old Atherley. “Having done it so long and having some really good players over the years.” He credited those players for his milestone. “It’s on them,” Atherley said. Atherley is in his 27th season as the women’s head coach and he was also the head coach of the men’s program for seven seasons. He coached both teams in 1999. He first came to UMaine as a player in 1984. He went on to become a team captain, assistant men’s coach and eventually head men’s coach before taking over the women’s program solely after that 1999 season of double duty. The Andover, Connecticut native and his UMaine team are seeking a third consecutive America East tournament championship and NCAA berth. The fourth-seeded Black Bears will travel to take on top seed Binghamton in Vestal, New York for a 5 p.m. Thursday semifinal. Atherley led the Black Bears to their first ever America East championship and NCAA berth in 2023 and they defended their title last fall. In their regular season game, Binghamton scored with 7:36 remaining to beat UMaine 2-1 in Vestal on Oct. 5. UMaine had an 11-8 advantage in shots and an 8-3 advantage in shots on target. “We played really well especially coming off a long trip,” Atherley said. “They are having a great season but, the thing about it is that we’re a really hard team to play against, especially now. “I like our chances,” he added. Maine was again without injured leading scorer Emma Nicholson, who has missed the last three games. Atherley said there was an “outside chance” she could get some playing time on Thursday. UMaine is already without injured starting center backs Rebecca Grisdale and Lea Schroder, who have been lost for the season. Atherley gave “full credit’ to his players for overcoming the loss of Grisdale, Schroder and Nicholson to reach the semifinals. “Our team has stepped up. Just to be as cohesive as we’re playing… I really like the way we’re playing,” Atherley said. “We’re dominating with the ball, we’re using it intelligently in exploiting teams. And we’re scoring goals.” Maine has scored two goals in four of its last five games after scoring two or more on just two occasions over its first 10 contests. He has been pleased with the play of freshman goalie Elena Barenberg, who has allowed only four goals in her last four games. “She’s terrific. She allows us to attack the way that we do because of her feet,” Atherley said. “Teams try to press us but she can beat lines with her ability to distribute with precision.” Maine is 5-7-3 overall while Binghamton is 10-1-5 and brings a 13-game unbeaten streak into the game. The Bearcats are 6-0-1 at home. They haven’t played since a 1-1 tie with Vermont on Oct. 26. “They haven’t played in 10 days by the time we play them. Sometimes it’s good when you’re in a rhythm to keep playing,” Atherley said. “For us, we already have a playoff game under our belt so we’re going to be aggressive and go for it.” Nicholson has eight points on two goals and four assists to pace the Black Bears. Julie Lossius and Windham’s Abbey Thornton have seven points on three goals and one assist apiece. Jahkaya Davis, who scored the game-winner against Maine, and Paige Luke share the scoring honors for Binghamton with 18 points. Davis has eight goals and two assists and Luke has six goals and six assists.
