The University of Maine women's soccer team will open its home schedule with a pair of matches at the New Balance Soccer Complex in Orono, Maine. On August 20 the Black Bears face Mercer at 7 p.m., followed by a noon showdown with Sacred Heart on August 23. Both contests will be broadcast live on America East TV, giving fans across the region a chance to follow the action.
The team enters the weekend riding a strong recent stretch that includes a 2025 season in which they captured a third straight America East tournament title and secured an NCAA Tournament berth. Eight of the eleven goal scorers and eight of the twelve point producers from that campaign are back, giving the Black Bears a deep attacking core as they look to build on their early momentum.
A Competitive Start for the Black Bears
Mercer arrives with a 2‑0‑0 record after opening the season with a 2‑1 victory over Jackson State and a 1‑0 win on the road at West Georgia. Midfielder Payton Nutzman, who was named to the Preseason All‑SoCon team, returns as the team’s leading scorer with 19 points, while defender Anna Bachman also earned preseason honors. Sacred Heart, also 2‑0‑0, has posted wins against Vermont and Central Connecticut, and boasts Player of the Year‑candidate Shea Kelleher, who tallied 22 points with eight goals and six assists.
Historically, Maine holds a 9‑3‑1 edge over Sacred Heart, with their most recent meeting in 2023 ending in a 1‑1 draw. The Black Bears opened the all‑time series with a 2‑0 win in 2000, and they will look to extend that advantage when they host Merrimack later in the week to close out their homestand.