STANDISH, Maine - The New England College women's soccer team concluded the 2026 season on the road Wednesday evening, falling to Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action, 5-2.
The Monks tested the 'Grims early, as sophomore goalkeeper Estrella Michaelidis (Dedham, Mass.) turned aside back-to-back shots in the opening minutes. SJC broke through in the 10th minute to take a 1-0 lead and continued to pressure the NEC defense with several scoring chances. Junior Julianna Barrett (Orange, Conn.) responded for the Pilgrims, putting two shots just wide of the net. The Monks extended their lead in the 30th minute and added a third goal just seconds later. Junior Abbey Keyes (Dedham, Mass.) looked to put NEC on the scoreboard with a shot that missed the frame, but SJC carried a 3-0 advantage into the break.
Freshman Grace Houde (New Boston, N.H.) looked to get the Pilgrims on the scoreboard early in the second half, but her attempt was saved by Monks goalkeeper Ashlyn Guerette. The teams continued to battle down the stretch, with SJC adding its fourth goal in the 62nd minute. Minutes later, freshman Ava Hudson (Springvale, Maine) found the back of the net for her sixth goal of the season, putting NEC on the board. The 'Grims continued to generate scoring chances, as shots from senior Madison Bowman (Coventry, Vt.) and freshman Stella-Blue Kraus (East Greenwich, R.I.) were both stopped by Guerette. Houde delivered a free kick into the box, where Barrett slipped past the keeper and found the back of the net to cut the lead to two. SJC responded a minute later with a goal of its own to secure the 5-2 conference victory.
Michaelidis recorded 13 saves on Wednesday night, while Hudson and Barrett each found the back of the net. The 'Grims finish the 2026 campaign with a 6-10-3 record.
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