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As a red-shirted freshman in 2000, Liz Mendall watched from the sidelines, not really knowing where the next four years would take her. Five seasons later, after playing in two conference championship games and being named to the America East First Team and the All Northeast Regional First Team, Liz Mendell leaves the University of Maine field hockey squad as one of the team’s best players.
“I can remember being a freshman and watching the players that were out on the field,” said Mendell. “I knew that I needed to work hard because that was where I wanted to be.”
Although Mendall played in just 11 games in her first two seasons combined, it was her junior and senior years that saw her hard work pay off.
After starting the 2003 season on the bench, with an injury, Mendell provided the defensive intensity that would help get her team back to the America East Championship game. She was also named to the America East Academic Honor Roll and a Maine Scholar Athlete Silver Medalist.
When she returned for her senior season in August, she was the only remaining member of the freshman class in 2000. She had seen the program come full circle and was determined to help her team capture a conference championship.
She was named tri-captain and started all 19 games for the Black Bears. Mendall scored three goals and assisted on three others for nine points on the year. She tallied her team’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Northeastern in the America semifinals. She also scored against Michigan, one of the top teams in the country.
The Black Bears fell in the America East semifinals to Northeastern bringing the careers of six seniors to an end. Although they missed the championship game, losing for the fourth straight season to the eventual champion, they proved to be one of the most successful classes in school history.
“I couldn’t have had better teammates and friends than the other seniors on the team,” said Mendell. “We all came into this program alone, not knowing anyone else and had to come together and play.”
Mendell had the honor of being one of only two Black Bear seniors being named to the All-Conference First Team. The other player being senior Rachel Hilgar.
“I was very surprised to be named to the All-Conference First Team,” said Mendell. “I definitely was not expecting that. It’s a great honor and a great way to end my career.”
On Tuesday, Mendell was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division-I All-Northeast First Team, placing her among some of the nation’s top players. She was the only Black Bear to be given such an honor.
As an all-conference and all-region player, Mendell helped guide her team through one of its toughest schedules in school history. The Black Bears defeated one of the top team’s in the country in Ohio State, and nearly knocked off Michigan falling short in double overtime. Mendell had some of her best games in big games.
“I think we had a great season this year,” she said. “We’ve had to play the hardest schedule we’ve really ever had here, and the outcomes are definitely something to be proud of. I think a lot of people underestimated us going into this year, but we all knew the talent we had and we were excited.”
Bangor Daily News