Maine Women’s Soccer Earns 1-1 Draw Against Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Under the lights at Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium, Maine punched first. Providence refused to fold. In the end, they split the difference.

The University of Maine women’s soccer team walked away with a 1-1 draw against Providence College on Thursday night, a result that carried a little extra weight for a program that rarely sees rewards against Big East opposition.

Meadows strikes on the stroke of halftime

For 44 minutes, both sides jabbed without landing the decisive blow. Then, with the first half almost gone, Maine carved Providence open.

Victoria Dungey, in her 60th career appearance, seized the moment at midfield. She spun through two Friars defenders, broke free, and threaded a perfectly timed ball straight up the gut. It sent Isabella Meadows racing clear.

Meadows didn’t waste it. She sprinted into the box, picked her spot, and slid her finish just inside the right post with 37 seconds left in the half. One chance, one touch, one ruthless strike. Her second goal of the season put the Black Bears in front and briefly silenced the home crowd.

Providence’s pressure finally pays off

The lead gave Maine something to protect, and they had to work for it.

Providence pushed hard after the break, stacking up territory and chances. The Friars finished with a 6-4 edge in shots on goal and a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks, forcing Maine to defend deep for long stretches.

In goal, Elena Barenberg turned away five efforts, keeping the Black Bears’ lead intact as the clock ticked down. Maine’s spine held firm, with veterans Meghan Bernetti — making her 50th career start — and Olivia Grisdale playing all 90 minutes.

But the pressure kept mounting. And eventually, it cracked the door open.

With less than 10 minutes to play, Providence finally found the equalizer. The flag initially went up for offsides, offering Maine a moment of relief, but that didn’t last. After review, the decision was overturned and the goal stood, leveling the match at 1-1 and wiping out Maine’s narrow advantage.

A rare Big East result for Maine

The draw didn’t change the history books dramatically — Maine is now 2-11-1 all-time against Providence — but it did break a long drought. This was the Black Bears’ first result against a Big East program since a tie with St. John’s back in 2007.

There were milestones scattered across the night. Dungey’s assist was her second of the season, fitting for a player reaching 60 career games. Defender Luise Reinwald also hit the 60-game mark. Bernetti’s 50th start anchored a back line that bent late but refused to break entirely.

Maine moves to 2-3-2 on the year, while Providence remains unbeaten at 2-0-6, still tough to knock off but struggling to turn draws into wins.

Next up, the Black Bears head to Holy Cross for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 13 — another chance to turn a hard-earned point into something more.