Syracuse, NY - After arriving to their hotel in NY just before midnight, the Mustangs had a morning departure for the Syracuse area to take on USCAA Div II defending national champion SUNY ESF.   Going into the game Central Maine knew they were facing a tough opponent less than 24 hours after ending their game the day before.  

It only took the opening minute for the Mighty Oaks to get on the score board when Abby Neill put a free kick just under the crossbar past freshman keeper Emma Knowles (Manchester, ME).   To the Mustangs credit, they shook off that shaky start and began to play.  Time of possession and shots were clearly in the favor of ESF but Central Maine would not yield another goal until the 32 minute mark when Mighty Oaks forward Jessica Bolton slipped through the Mustangs backline and buried her shot in the corner to give SUNY a 2-0 lead. Central Maine would get one back in the closing minute of the half when Emma Johnson broke through for a loose ball and chipped the Mighty Oaks keeper to close the gap going into halftime.  

Central Maine came out in the second half trying to level the score but could not get quality chances at the ESF net.  The Mighty Oaks would increase their lead midway through the second period when Mackenzie Koniszewski converted a cross to give ESF a 3-1 lead.  

The Mustangs made a valiant effort to close the gap again but it just wouldn't happen and the game ended 3-1 SUNY ESF.    Mighty Oaks goalkeeper Helena O'Shea made 3 saves to earn the win while Knowles made 17 saves to take the loss.  

The Mustangs close out their road trip Sunday September 18 in a 1pm conference matchup against Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Science.