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Women's Soccer Ranked 22nd in National Poll
Sept. 26, 2006 Orono, Maine-- The University of Maine women's soccer team is ranked 22nd in the nation in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas National Rankings released on Tuesday, September 26. It is the first time in school history that the Black Bears have been ranked in the top-25 in the nation. Maine is second in the Northeast Regional Poll. "It's great to be ranked and recognized among the top teams in the country, and to have two teams from our conference in the Top 25," said Maine head coach Scott Atherley. "Realistically, the ranking has no significance other than to indicate to people that we are off to a good start, and that the America East is a legitimate soccer conference." "We tell our players that a season is analogous to a race. What matters most to us is where we stand at the end. If we are still in the Top 25 after we cross the finish line, such distinction will have tremendous significance to our players and program. In the meantime, we will approach matters one day at a time, and hopefully get better every day," said Atherley. The Black Bears are currently 8-0-1 on the season and is in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. The lone tie on the season was a 1-1 draw with 16th ranked UConn. The Black Bears have recorded four straight shutouts and have allowed just one goal in their last seven games. Keeper Jasmine Phillips (Nepean, Ontario) is in the midst of an outstanding season. She is 8-0-1 on the season with a 0.319 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. Phillips ranks fourth in the country in save percentage and seventh in goals against average. She has allowed just three goals in nine games this season. Maine is led on the scoreboard by Laura Harper (Ottawa, Ontario) who has six goals and two assists for 14 points. She has three game-winning goals on the season and had a five-game goal scoring streak earlier this season. Rookie Véronique Fleury (Montreal, Quebec) has three goals and one assist for seven points. The Black Bears return to action on Thursday, September 28 when they travel to Boston University for an America East showdown with the Terriers. Boston University is currently ranked 10th in the NSCAA/adidas National Poll. BU is 7-2-1 on the season including a win at third-ranked Santa Clara. Maine and Boston University have met in two of the last three America East Championship games. In the past three years, the two teams have met a total of five times with each team winning once and the two teams recording three ties. Maine returns home on Sunday, October 1 when it hosts New Hampshire at 12:00 noon at Alumni Field in Orono, Maine.
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