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Riley Reitchel Action MMA
James Liebowitz
Riley Reitchel had the game-winner for the Huskies
2
Winner Southern Me. SOUTHERN (3-0-0)
1
Westfield St. WESTFIEL (0-1-2)
Winner
Southern Me. SOUTHERN
(3-0-0)
2
Final
1
Westfield St. WESTFIEL
(0-1-2)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Southern Me. SOUTHERN 2 0 2
Westfield St. WESTFIEL 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Christina Cracolici, Director of Athletic Communications

McKenna, Reitchel Lead Southern Maine Over Westfield State 2-1

WESTFIELD, Mass.  –  Junior Riley Reitchel (Palermo, Maine/Erskine Academy) and senior Julia McKenna (Windham, Maine) each had a goal and an assist to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 2-1 win over the Westfield State University Owls in a non-conference women's soccer match Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
 
The Records:
Southern Maine (2-0-0)
Westfield State (0-0-2)
 
Today's game marked just the third meeting between the Owls and the Huskies. Southern Maine traveled to Westfield State in 2022 for the series' first matchup, defeating the Owls 5-0. In 2023, the Huskies earned a 5-2 win at home.
 
The game featured a pair of 2023 conference champions and NCAA tournament participants. Westfield State is the back-to-back-to-back (2021, 2022, 2023) defending MASCAC Champions, while the Huskies are the reigning 2022 and 2023 Little East Conference Champions.  Both teams were picked to repeat as champions of their respective conferences.
 
How It Happened:
  • Trailing 1-0 after the 14th minute, McKenna and Reitchel answered for the Huskies in the 30th and 38th minute to keep Southern Maine undefeated at 3-0.
  • Despite the Huskies pressing early with a pair of corner kicks and a shot on goal in the opening 90 seconds, Westfield State's Delaney Parker put the Owls ahead early converting an assist from Kiana Muratsuka and Erin White for a 1-0 lead.
  • Southern Maine continued to press and creating chances before McKenna broke through for the equalizer in the 30th minute.  Picking up the ball just before half field, Reitchel hit McKenna in stride as she broke the Owls' defense down the left side of the field and finished the change.
  • Reitchel then sealed the win for the Huskies with the go-ahead goal in the 38th minute.  McKenna won a challenge in the midfield, carried the ball a few touches and then set Reitchel free down the right side of the field going one-on-one with the keeper. 
  • In the second half, the Huskies outshot the Owls 11-3.  Atwood made a pair of second-half saves to preserve the win.
 
 
The Goalkeepers:
SM, Breanna Atwood (3-0), 90:00, 1 GA, 8 Saves
WS, Julia Robak (0-1-2), 90:00, 2 GA, 10 Saves
 
Inside The Stats:
  • The win is Atwood's 45th of her career. The Huskies' 2023 All-American is 45-10-6 in her career, and has 288 career saves. Her eight saves in today's contest are a season-high.
  • McKenna's goal and an assist in today's game gives her 23 goals, 10 assists and 56 points in her 45-game career. She is tied for sixth in USM career goals, tied for ninth in career assists and is seventh in career points.
  • Reitchel now has 16 goals, 15 assists and 47 points in her career. Her assists are tied for fourth in USM career records, while her points are tied for ninth.  She is tied for 13th in career goals. Six of her 16 goals have been for game-winners.
 
Up Next:
The Huskies return home to Hannaford Field for a non-conference match-up with Colby College on Wednesday, September 11 (7:00 pm). Southern Maine remains at home on Saturday, September 14 (6:30 pm) against UMaine Fort Kent.
           
 
-cac-
 
 
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