ALBANY, N.Y. – While Stanford outshot No. 19 Maine 21-4 on the day, a heartbreaking goal in OT to make it 2-1 went the way of the Black Bears in the America East Semifinals to end the tournament run for the 13th-ranked Cardinal. Stanford fall to 13-6 on the year as Maine improves to 19-3 and into the Final of the America East Tournament against Albany.
The first half saw the Cardinal take control as they put up 10 shots in the half, while holding Maine to one. The 26th minute saw Stanford shake up the score with Fran Tew setting up Katie Keyser from a penalty corner to make it 1-0. The Cardinal defense were phenomenal though as they held possession for the vast majority of the half to head into the break ahead.
The second half still saw Stanford holding the reigns, putting up seven shots to Maine’s two, but the Black Bear’s switched up their goalie to Emma Cochran, who stepped up for four saves to keep Maine in it. In the 55th minute another penalty corner gave the Black Bears the opportunity to knot it as Libby Riedl and Nicole Sevey set up Katie Bingle for a perfect shot to make it 1-1 where it would remain until the end of regulation.
Stanford still didn’t rest in overtime though, adding in four shots that put the Maine goalie to the test. The difference was Black Bear’s sole shot in overtime, coming in the 75th minute as Danielle Aviani flashed some skills in a breakaway to put a shot over a diving Dulcie Davies to end the game with the win for Maine.
The Cardinal will await its future with the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow at 7 p.m. PT on NCAA.com.
