University of Maine Fort Kent Women's Soccer Wins Fifth Straight USCAA National Championship

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The University of Maine Fort Kent women’s soccer team made it five straight at the 2017 USCAA National Championships on Monday afternoon.  Maine Fort Kent entered the championship round at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex as the Pool A winner, having won against previously undefeated NHTI and UC Clermont.  After a semi-final win over Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where the Bengals controlled midfield play, they faced a new challenge in the young and quick Florida National University Conquistadors.    

The backline of Florida National University focused much of their attention on former USCAA Player of the Year Sherifatu Sumaila.  Sumaila was able to get off six shots, two on goal, in the game.  However, she was not as dominant as in last year’s championship. 

After a back and forth contest where the Bengals still controlled much of the play, Fort Kent relied on an unexpected star.  With only four minutes left in the contest and the score deadlocked at 0-0, Freshman forward Tolu Oyeniyi put the ball in the back of the net.  The play started as Sumaila started on the right flank, cut in to the left and played a through ball to Oyeniyi twelve yards out, who slid the ball past the keeper after one touch.  Florida National had one opportunity inside of the 89^th minute to tie the game but a shot after cross by Isabela Martins went one foot wide of the goal.

Florida National University keeper Savannah Laster made three outstanding saves in the game, but it wasn’t enough to stop Oyeniyi on the shot from inside the box.  Offensively, the Conquistadors had ten shots, three of which were on goal.  Other than Sumaila and Oyeniyi, All-Tournament selection Catherine Bruno was the only other Bengal with a shot on goal in the game.  University of Maine Fort Kent will look to return to Virginia Beach next year, seeking their sixth straight title.  

USCAA All-Tournament Team

Sr.           Forward               ACPHS                                  Katie Benson

Sr.           Forward               SUNY ESF                             Shannon Gordonier

So.          Forward               Cleary University                   Harley Gorzelski

So.          Goalkeeper          ACPHS                                  Sally Slowinski

Jr.           Defender             SUNY ESF                             Sarah Wohlfart

Sr.           Forward              UMFK                                   Sherifatu Sumaila

Fr.           Goalkeeper          Florida National                     Savanah Lasters

Sr.           Midfielder           UMFK                                   Catherine Bruno

Sr.           Forward             Florida National                      D’Yolanda Pineda

Fr.           Forward             Florida National                     Jurema Borini

Sr.           Midfielder           UMFK                                   Gabbi-Ricardi Shortt

Tournament MVP | Fr.  Forward               UMFK                   Tolu Oyeniyi