Abby Kraemer wasn’t sure if she could play Division I soccer when she finished high school in Kitchener, Ontario. She only had one scholarship offer from the University of Maine.
She took the offer, and now, three years later, she’s the first player in the school’s history to become an All-American. Abby, a junior striker, got chosen as a second-team All-American after helping the Black Bears win their first-ever America East tournament championship and make it to the NCAA playoffs.
In 18 games, Abby scored 13 goals and had four assists, totaling 30 points. She even had six game-winning goals, which is pretty impressive! Abby’s achievements make her the first America East player since 2012 to become an All-American and the first to earn a first or second team spot since 2005.
Abby humbly shares the credit, saying it’s a team award. She emphasized that scoring goals involves everyone on the field working together. Abby’s older sister, Kayla, is also a forward on the team.
Abby is one of only two Canadians among the 46 players selected for the first, second, or third teams. She’s also one of just five players from a New England school. Abby faced another Canadian player, Jade Rose, in the NCAA playoffs, where Harvard won 3-0.
Coach Scott Atherley praised Abby’s commitment, calling her a remarkable athlete with deceptive speed. Abby’s not just a goal scorer; she’s also great in one-on-one duels and plays a crucial role in the team’s success.
Abby’s soccer journey at the University of Maine has been remarkable. She was the leading scorer as a freshman, then the second-leading scorer in her sophomore year. This season, she became the league’s Striker of the Year and a first-team pick after leading the league in many offensive categories.
Abby believes her improvement is thanks to the team’s experience and motivation. She and her teammates are eager to get back to training after the Christmas break for the upcoming spring season. Despite her achievements, Abby stays focused on the team’s goals and looks forward to defending their title in the next season.
Coach Atherley thinks Abby being an All-American will attract new players to join the team. It shows recruits that they can develop and be recognized among the best players in the country at the University of Maine.
