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The University of Maine field hockey team extended its winning streak to six games with a 6-1 defeat of Dartmouth College last Wednesday.
The Black Bears were led by their senior class, including Kristi Ferran who turned in a three-goal performance. The hat trick put Ferran’s season total at six, and also placed her among America East leaders.
“She is a spark plug on this team,” head coach Terry Kix said.
Ferran started her scoring late in the first half, but only after senior Jen Johnstone opened the scoring with 10:07 remaining.
With three seconds remaining in the first half, Ferran scored the first of her three unassisted goals to give UMaine a 2-0 lead at the half.
In the second half, junior Karyn Magno opened the scoring at 18:55 with help from senior co-captain Karly Bundy, who tallied two assists on the day.
Sophomore forward Rachael Hilgar increased the Black Bear lead to 4-0 when she scored on a rebound at 10:36.
Johnstone’s shot from inside the circle failed, but a waiting Hilgar tipped in the rebound. Two minutes later, Ferran scored her second unassisted goal of the day on a hard shot from the circle.
With her team leading 5-0, it appeared that UMaine goalkeeper Jaye Lance, who made 10 saves on the day, would notch a fourth consecutive shutout, and fifth on the season. But Dartmouth midfielder Lauren Welsh put her team on the board when she scored her fourth goal of the season.
The Black Bears were quick to answer, however, when Ferran notched her third goal of the day only 47 seconds later.
The recent offensive performances by seniors Tara Bedard and Ferran have been a highlight, but remaining seniors Bundy, Kim Leo, and Johnstone also have worked hard to make the team successful.
“Karly [Bundy] and I work awesome together,” Bedard said. “We’ve played together for a while, and it’s very easy to find each other on the field.”
Coach Terry Kix agreed, and spoke highly of the duo.
“They are a great one-two punch. It is difficult for most people to defend them,” Kix said.
Another senior who has played well is Johnstone. The forward is coming off a strong 2001 season, in which she earned first team All-America East honors. Johnstone has used her experience and skill to anchor the midfield and has chipped in with two goals and three assists of her own this year.
Last but not least is senior back Kim Leo. Leo leads a relatively inexperienced defense and Kix has actually changed her position on the defensive line. With Leo’s help, the defense has tallied four shutouts this season.
“Kim Leo has done a tremendous job at her new position,” Kix said. “She is like the quarterback of the defense, and she has been quite a leader out there.”
Kix felt the Dartmouth contest would be the first true test for the defense. They responded to the challenge by allowing only one goal, but a true task will come this weekend when they face Hofstra and Quinnipiac on Sept. 28 and 29. Both games will be played in Hempstead, N.Y.
Hofstra boasts a 6-1 record while Quinnipiac holds a 3-4 record.
Bangor Daily News