The University of Maine’s women’s soccer team made its NCAA Tournament debut on Saturday night against a Harvard University team that was playing in its third straight NCAA Tournament and 19th overall.
The Crimson’s NCAA experience certainly showed through as Harvard scored three first-half goals and held on for a 3-0 victory over the Black Bears.
Harvard took a 1-0 lead when Josefine Hasbo scored at the 7:58 mark of the first half.
Hasbo, who started for the Danish team in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this past summer, tucked the ball inside the post during a scramble. UMaine goalie Kira Kutzinski had a couple of punchouts and two ensuing shots were blocked by Black Bears.
It was her team-high 10th goal of the season.
Bebar picked up an assist on the goal.
Junior midfielder Bebar extended the lead at the 23:47 mark when she fired a rising shot into the far corner from the top of the penalty area for her sixth of the year.
Freshman striker Rayhill made it 3-0 at the 40:55 mark when she dribbled down the field and launched a long shot that found the net for her first college goal.
Maine goalie Kira Kutzinski made eight saves while Harvard goalie Denver Tolson was relatively untested with two saves.
Harvard had 19 shot attempts and 11 went on goal while UMaine had three shots of which two were on goal.
Maine ended the season with a record of 11-2-6.
Harvard improved to 13-3-2 and will face Michigan State in the second round of the tournament.
“Full credit to Harvard,” said UMaine coach Scott Atherley. “They came out aggressively and unsettled us at the start. We gave up the first goal and were on the back foot for the first half. They are a seasoned team and it showed.
“At halftime, we re-grouped, made some adjustments and played more like ourselves for the duration of the game,” he added.
He also said playing in the NCAA Tournament was a “remarkable experience.
“I am incredibly proud of our players and the team. It has been a fabulous journey and one we will all remember with fond memories,” Atherley said.