Women's Soccer 10/28/2025 8:58:00 PM

Women’s Soccer: NAC Quarterfinal Preview

FARMINGTON, Maine – On Wednesday afternoon, the University of Maine at Farmington women's soccer team will travel to Vermont to take on VTSU Johnson in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) quarterfinal matchup. The Beavers finished the season as the fifth seed, while the Badgers earned the fourth seed and the right to host the quarterfinal round. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.

Overview

The winner of Wednesday's contest between Farmington and Johnson will advance to the NAC semifinal on Saturday against top-seeded Lesley University.

The NAC adopted a new playoff format this season, eliminating the former East and West alignment. This year, the NAC transitioned to a 10-team model in which each team played one another once to determine the final regular season standings. The top six teams advanced to the playoffs. Lesley finished the season 7-0-2 to claim the top seed over No. 2 Husson University via a tiebreaker, with both earning byes into the NAC semifinals. Maine Maritime earned the No. 3 seed and will host Thomas College on Wednesday evening at 5:00 p.m.

Season at a Glance

The Beavers finished the season 8-7-2 overall with a 4-4-2 record in NAC play, earning the fifth seed. They were tough to beat at home, boasting a 6-2-1 record at Leib Field, but went just 2-5-1 away from home. After starting the season 7-3-1, Farmington enters the playoffs 1-4-1 in its last six matches. The Beavers faced the Badgers this past Saturday, battling to a scoreless draw—setting up a highly anticipated rematch tomorrow afternoon.

Farmington opened the season with a commanding 11-0 victory over the University of Maine at Augusta as nine different Beavers found the back of the net. They also took down GNAC opponent New England College 5-1 early in the season, sandwiched between setbacks to Wentworth and Wellesley.

The Beavers opened conference play at home on September 16, dominating VTSU Lyndon in a 10-0 victory. They followed that win with three straight conference victories, besting the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Thomas, and SUNY Cobleskill.

Farmington played tight contests with SUNY Delhi and Maine Maritime, tying the Broncos 2-2 before suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Mariners despite holding a clear advantage in several key statistical categories.

The Beavers also picked up non-conference victories at home over Fisher College and Salem State.

The Lineup

Farmington is hopeful that dynamic forward Natalie Tracy (Oakland, Maine) will return to the lineup on Wednesday after missing the final six games of the regular season due to injury. At the time of her injury, Tracy ranked among the top goal scorers in the nation, scoring 16 goals in just 11 games. She tallied multiple goals in six matches this season, including a hat trick—all in the second half—against SUNY Cobleskill on September 27. Tracy finished the season second in the conference in goals scored despite playing four fewer games than the leader.

Opposite Tracy at forward will be junior Emma Dunn (Farmington, Maine), who made the transition to forward this season after serving as an outside back for the past two years. Dunn finished the season with five goals and an assist, including two game-winners.

First-year standout Kyri Meak (Winslow, Maine) is one of five Beavers to score five or more goals, finishing second on the team with seven. Meak quickly stepped into a key role as a central midfielder and earned NAC Rookie of the Week honors twice this season.

Joining Meak in the midfield are Rita Benoit (Hallowell, Maine) and Grace Dwyer (Manchester, Maine), both of whom had strong seasons. Benoit finished with a team-high six assists to go along with five goals. Dwyer, a consistent presence as a center back for the past three years, flawlessly transitioned to a defensive midfield role this season, tallying six goals and three assists. Both Benoit and Dwyer play key roles on set pieces.

The back line has been consistent throughout the season, anchored by seniors Hannah Wilbur (Farmington, Maine) and Kiley Meader (Oakland, Maine), junior Emma Casavant (Farmington, Maine), and first-year Makenzie Beal (Brunswick, Maine). Beal has made an immediate impact, stepping into a center back role. Wilbur and Casavant have alternated between center and outside back, while Meader has started all 17 games as an outside back.

In net, the Beavers are led by reigning First Team All-Conference goalkeeper Paige Gonya (Sabattus, Maine). Beyond her stats, Gonya is the vocal leader of Farmington's defensive unit, confidently controlling the box. A four-year starter, she saved her best for last, posting career highs in goals-against average (1.78) and save percentage (.769). Gonya earned eight victories, including three shutouts, and recorded a career-high 16 saves against the University of Southern Maine on October 8.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Rita Benoit: M; 5' 6"; Junior

#4 Emma Casavant: D; 5' 5"; Junior

#8 Emma Dunn: F/D; 5' 2"; Junior

#21 Grace Dwyer: D; 5' 8"; Senior

#0 Paige Gonya: GK; 5' 9"; Senior

#6 Kiley Meader: D; Senior

#9 Natalie Tracy: F; 5' 5"; Senior

#15 Hannah Wilbur: M; 5' 6"; Senior

#5 Makenzie Beal: D; 5' 9"; Freshman

#14 Kyri Meak: M; 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#17 Rita Benoit
: 5' 6"; Junior
: M

#4 Emma Casavant
: 5' 5"; Junior
: D

#8 Emma Dunn
: 5' 2"; Junior
: F/D

#21 Grace Dwyer
: 5' 8"; Senior
: D

#0 Paige Gonya
: 5' 9"; Senior
: GK

#6 Kiley Meader
: Senior
: D

#9 Natalie Tracy
: 5' 5"; Senior
: F

#15 Hannah Wilbur
: 5' 6"; Senior
: M

#5 Makenzie Beal
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: D

#14 Kyri Meak
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: M

Overview

Season at a Glance

The Lineup

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned

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