Bengals Dominate Central Maine in Commanding 5-1 Road Victory
UMFK unleashes 43 shots and earns 11 corner kicks while improving to 6-3
Four Bengals found the net as the UMFK women’s soccer team delivered a dominant offensive performance Thursday afternoon, defeating Central Maine Community College 5-1 in Auburn.
Playing for the second time in less than 24 hours, the Bengals controlled the match from start to finish. UMFK generated 43 shots, earned 11 corner kicks and received goals from four different players while improving to 6-3 overall.
Madi Martin put the Bengals in front just 9:54 into the match. Martin ran onto a through pass and calmly finished with her left foot to give UMFK an early 1-0 advantage. The goal was Martin’s fourth of the season and her third in two days following a two-goal performance against the University of Southern Maine.
UMFK continued applying pressure throughout the opening half but carried the 1-0 lead into the break.
The Bengals broke the match open after halftime, scoring three times in a span of just over 20 minutes.
Tajay Stephenson doubled the advantage at 50:29 with an impressive individual finish. Stephenson struck the ball with the outside of her right foot and directed it into the corner of the net for a 2-0 UMFK lead.
Breanna Marr extended the margin in the 65th minute. Facing a direct free kick from a difficult angle, Marr sent her effort toward the far post and into the goal to put the Bengals ahead 3-0.
UMFK’s pressure on set pieces produced another goal at 70:39. Shaniah Johnson delivered a corner kick into a crowded penalty area, where Dejaunae Lewis converted during a scramble in front of the net. The goal was the first of Lewis’ collegiate career and increased the Bengals’ lead to 4-0.
Central Maine broke through in the 81st minute when Mikayla Martorano scored to make it 4-1, but UMFK required only 51 seconds to answer.
Marr responded immediately, driving a low shot from the left side into the side netting at 81:31. Her second goal of the afternoon and team-leading sixth of the season restored UMFK’s four-goal advantage and completed the 5-1 victory.
Marr led the Bengals with two goals, while Martin, Stephenson and Lewis each scored once. Johnson recorded the match’s lone assist.
The victory represented an emphatic response from a UMFK squad that had battled NCAA Division III opponent Southern Maine to a narrow 4-3 result the previous afternoon. Across the two-game road stretch, the Bengals scored eight goals, with Martin and Marr combining for six.
UMFK’s relentless attack kept Central Maine under pressure throughout the match. The Bengals finished with 43 shots and 11 corner kicks while limiting the Mustangs’ opportunities at the other end of the field.
The win improved UMFK to 6-3 overall and gave the Bengals victories in six of their last seven matches against nonexhibition opponents.
UMFK returns to action Sunday, Sept. 27, when the Bengals travel to face the University of Maine at Farmington at 2:30 p.m.
About UMFK Athletics
The University of Maine at Fort Kent provides student-athletes with opportunities to pursue academic and athletic excellence while developing leadership, character and a commitment to their campus and surrounding communities.
—UMFK—