I was sitting in the Union yesturday, before the windows that offer a lovely view of the mall, with a deliciously expensive cup of chai steaming next to me, reading The Maine Campus, when I received the grim news. There on the page, in black and white, read: “There are a lot of stupid people enrolled at UMaine. If you take a 100 level class that involves discussions, you will learn that the average student is a moron.” These words were written by none other than Opinion Editor Michael Hartwell on Oct. 24, 2005. How am I, a 20-year-old female, white, middle-class and statistically average student who has had to endure 100-level classes just like everyone else, supposed to handle such a startling revelation?

Yesturday, I pensively held the phone, braced to tell my parents this new information. Their daughter, who had earned a cumulative GPA of 3.7 last year, as it turns out, is a moron. How do you find the right words to express this? As I scanned my apparently feeble mind for the proper articulation, I realized something; I don’t have to take this.

I’m all for freedom of speech; as a writer, I depend on it. And an opinion piece is, by definition, an expression of opinion. But quite often the opinion pieces in The Maine Campus are not opinion pieces at all: they are abuse, and a disservice to the University of Maine community. In this forum, writers offer heavy-handed generalizations about the student body that ultimately serve as laundry lists for whiny, insignificant complaints. To accurately reflect the sophistication of their authors, their headlines ought to read: “Me no like frats, and me no like cafeteria food either, rawrrrrrr…”

Thank you, Mr. Hartwell, for pushing the stereotype that students at the University of Maine are nothing more than academic leftovers and in-betweens from high school who only want to party. My prior perception was that most students at UMaine are hard-working middle-class kids who either can’t or would prefer not to pay astronomical private school prices for virtually the same education. Now that you have enlightened me, I know most of us are just morons.

I resent the editorial writers for making my school, and the school that they themselves attend, look even worse than the rest of the outside media does. While this does not apply to all the pieces written for this section, it seems that the most offensive ones always garner the most attention. The University of Maine and its independent organizations are not perfect, but neither is Harvard. Editorials that are needless, unfounded and uninformed tirades tarnish the school’s reputation as well as the newspaper’s.

Additionally, I would like to defend the sororities and fraternities, ever the whipping child of the bitter editorial writer: I rent a room in one of the fraternities on campus. The house, as a rule, is alcohol-free, and the brothers are exceptionally friendly. The facility is clean and quiet, where one can just as easily study as hang out and have fun. I’m not trying to sway anybody one way or the other, I just thought I’d add some informed experience to the onslaught of indefinite accusations and groundless, crude opinions.

In the spirit of the editorials section, I’d like to indulge myself in flinging an open-ended insult on the general public: there are, indeed, some morons here at the University of Maine, and from the way it seems, most of them write The Maine Campus editorials.

Abby Laplante is a third-year English major, and a first time Maine Campus writer

It takes more than scientific jargon to be science. Science follows a specific methodological approach of hypotheses and observations based explicitly on natural phenomena. ID employs technical jargon, but it’s not scientific because it doesn’t adhere to the aforementioned approach. Rather, all ID arguments propose gaps in our knowledge of evolution and insert a supernatural designer, a “creator,” to explain the unobserved. This rehash of old creationism arguments has been coined “God in the gaps.”

Suspiciously, gap arguments rely on what proponents will have you believe is unexplainable, rather than on any direct evidence. In essence, they abuse your limited knowledge of science. Mr. Hartwell’s “problems” with evolution, like all the classic gap arguments of ID, have been repeatedly addressed by evolution scientists. It is beyond the scope of this article to address all ID arguments in detail, but let’s examine a few considered by Mr. Hartwell.

Some reputed problems posed by Mr. Hartwell and other ID proponents are obvious gap arguments, such as suggested holes in the fossil record and an absence of empirical observations of speciation. In reality, the fossil record of many evolutionary transitions, including the origin of humans from ape ancestors, is not only compelling but supported with modern DNA-based approaches. Likewise, the mechanics of speciation, meaning the evolution of divergent forms that show reduced odds of interbreeding, have been shown in both the lab and the wild for some nice examples see this month’s issue of Natural History Magazine.

The gap nature of some other ID arguments is perhaps not as transparent. Mr. Hartwell’s remaining problems with evolution fall into a category involving uncertainties about the origins of complexity. These arguments attempt to open gaps in the piecemeal evolution of complex organs, like your eye, by suggesting they are improbable or “irreducible.” Unfortunately, these arguments also ignore evidence that many of these parts ancestrally functioned differently in the past or were even converted from other systems.

The irreducible complexity argument also overlooks the natural explanation that irreducibility itself reflects evolutionary specialization of parts to work better with one another. Consider Mr. Hartwell’s example of your eye. Were the lenses in your eye removed, you would be functionally blind because the other parts of your eye have evolved to work with it, but that does not mean eyes always contained lenses. Darwin himself dispelled this myth more than 130 years ago when he considered animals possessing eyes without lenses. In so doing, he provided examples of transitional eye designs that might have nevertheless benefited from the eventual evolution of a lens and subsequent specializations.

Why do ID proponents continue to disguise and push rhetoric in the face of copious scientific evidence and responses? Maybe Mr. Hartwell and others are just misinformed. However, we might question whether many ID proponents actually prefer to avoid evidence that contradicts their attempts to secularize creationism – a philosophy of “see no evo, hear no evo, speak no evo,” to turn a phrase. Ultimately, continued promotion of ID arguments long since addressed by evolutionists suggests that ID proponents are the ones avoiding critiques and substituting politics for science.

Knowledge is the bane of the ID movement. Make an informed opinion by considering the links in the box below.

Dr. Michael T. Kinnison is an assistant professor of biological sciences.

When I read Aaron Smith’s editorial “Don’t Push Your Political Ideals On Me,” I chuckled quietly to myself. It was silly. I respect his right to have an opinion, but found it foolish that he was complaining about others expressing their’s. Because, like it or not, there always will and should be people out there loudly and proudly expressing their own viewpoints. Too bad if it annoys you. Though I may detest everything they stand for, I will defend any group’s right to say what they want so long as they use peaceful means to paraphrase Voltaire.

So, continue to dislike people speaking freely. Fine. But until you try to take over as fuhrer of the US and rewrite the First Amendment, all you can do is complain.

Personally, I say the more mature thing to do is to either: a) Inform yourself on important issues by researching figures from a variety of opposing sources, b) Have intelligent conversations with those of opposing viewpoints or c) Go out and try to change things. Until you do anything of that sort, all you can do is complain and annoy people, and that is in no way productive.

Derek Dobachesky

Write your local senator

I am increasingly concerned about the upcoming vote on the budget reconciliation bill. Our current Congress seems to be constantly �putting wildlife values at stake as it attempts to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, only weeks after a bill passed�in the House to gut the Endagered Species Act, just as the wolf had regained federal protections in Maine earlier this year. The budget bill, in addition to opening the refuge, also aims to cut over $35 billion in student federal aid, Pell grants and loans, Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and farm subsidies, while offering $70 billion in tax breaks to the wealthy. In a post-Katrina era, I do not see how passing legislation that further despoils our country’s wildernesses and burdens our most impoverished makes any sense. The budget bill is poorly timed and, simply put, an immoral endeavor to offset the costs of excessive military expenses and a growing deficit�exacerbated by politicians’ frivolous pork projects.

Senator Snowe and Senator Collins of Maine are swing voters on the budget bill. Please implore them to vote against the bill and ensure the protection of our largest and most diverse wildlife, students and the poor, including the 50,000 Katrina victims who still are without medical insurance.

Laura Kiesel

What’s the deal with going to class on Halloween? After all, who really enjoys going to class on Oct. 31? At The Maine Campus, we feel, any professor who holds class on Halloween should have to dress up.

Imagine professor Doug Allen dressed as Dick Cheney, or Michael Palmer dressed as the devil. Burt Hatlin, that older gentleman from the English Department, would make a great Bob Dole, and Jim Varner would look great as Catholic school girl Mary Catherine Gallager. Sticking with the Catholic theme, Sandy Caron would make a great nun.

How about Jack Wilson as jolly old Saint Nick, or even better: a stern professor. Henry Pogorzelski could be an African jungle hunter. Natasha Tolstikova should dress up as a drive-thru attendent. Picture nutrition scientist Dorothy Klimis-Zakis as an overweight couch potato.

No matter who the professor, there is a costume for everyone. Next year, maybe we can actually enjoy having class on Halloween.

Keep our sign and pride clean

Let’s face it guys: The University of Maine sign at the Park Street entrance looks worse then Gary Busey’s face.

The sign at the entrance facing Ushuaia, like so many of the university-issued icons, suffers the tell-tale indications of graffitti and vandalism. Pock-marked with holes through the plastic and an exterior decorated with SugarLoaf decals, the sign does not send a good message to our visitors. Prospective students often choose to have their pictures taken next to the signs of universities to which they have applied.

It doesn’t send a good impression to have a defaced sign, be it at the Park Street entrance or anywhere else on campus. Moreover, it costs the university, and consequenly, students, significant funds to replace these signs, which inevitably become defaced yet again.

Students need to show respect for these signs and our school. Careless acts of vandalism cost everyone in more than just aesthetic value. If you don’t have pride for your school, don’t attend.

Keep our sign and pride clean

Let’s face it guys: The University of Maine sign at the Park Street entrance looks worse then Gary Busey’s face.

The sign at the entrance facing Ushuaia, like so many university-issued signs, suffers the tell-tale signs of graffitti and vandalism. Pock-marked with holes through the plastic and an exterior decorated with SugarLoaf decals, the sign does not send a good message to our visitors. Prospective students often choose to have their pictures taken next to the signs of universities to which they have applied.

It doesn’t send a good impression to have a defaced sign, be it at the Park Street entrance or anywhere else on campus. Moreover, it costs the university, consequently its students, significantly to replace these signs, which inevitably become defaced yet again.

Students need to show respect for these signs and our school. Careless acts of vandalism cost everyone in more than just aesthetic value. If you don’t have pride for your school, don’t attend.

Leading the way for the Black Bears were four ladies who won two events each: junior Tal Shpaizer took the 100 and 200 back events, senior Shelby Setlage won the 100 breast and the 200 IM, freshman Colleen Miller won the 200 and 500 free.

Freshman Adi Levy scored first place points in the 100 and 200 butterflies.

Also winning events for UMaine were junior Shannon Scott in the one meter diving competition, and sophomore Kiki O’Donnell in the 200 breast. The Black Bears won the 200 medley relay as well.

The men’s team was led by a pair of underclassmen as freshman Nathan Richard and sophomore Keith Burgie were their double event winners. Richard claimed the 100 breast and 100 butterfly while Burgie won both the one and three meter diving events.

Freshman Michael Goede won the 100 back, junior Martin Fitch took the 200 butterfly, and junior Eric Palmer was first in the 200 breast to account for UMaine’s other first place finishes.

Like the women’s squad, UMaine’s men also won the 200 medley relay.

Both squads will return to action with a meet at Yale on Nov. 12, followed by a clash at Stony Brook University on Nov. 13.

A second after giving up a goal on a penalty kick, University of Maine keeper Chad Mongeon was shown a red card, ending the senior’s career as the men’s soccer team allowed three unanswered goals in losing to Stony Brook 3-2 at Alumni Field yesterday.

Although the Black Bears still have one game remaining against Albany later this week, they are no longer playoff eligible. Besides not having the chance for a playoff spot, the team will not have Mongeon since he will have to serve a suspension for being sent off.

“We were talking about the penalty and I asked him something,” said Mongeon when discussing his sending off. “I said something that included one swear, that not directed at him and I was given a red card for it.”

With a brace by Adam Chenault, the Black Bears had taken a 2-0 lead on the Seawolves before controversy struck in the 30th minute. As Stony Brook was looking to create an opportunity, they took found a hole in the UMaine defense that produced a bad challenge, allowing the Seawolves to garner a penalty.

Once Stony Brook converted the opportunity to cut the lead to 2-1, Mongeon gave his opinion on the call that led to the eventual goal. The Vermont native said something to an official which resulted in Mongeon getting a red card. Mongeon removed his gear in disgust as he walked off the pitch.

The loss of Mongeon forced the Black Bears to change their tactics and bring in keeper Ben Piotrowski. Besides the change in keepers, UMaine was forced to play with ten men and rely on a defensive style of play.

“It was tough, we were down a man for a whole second half and we had to reshape our offense and defense and it was tough trying to play down a man,” said UMaine senior captain Kevin Forgett. “What it came down to was the fact that we got unlucky. These things happen and you have to give credit to the guys for the way they played.”

UMaine’s move in tactics almost worked until the 88th minute. As the Seawolves were attempting to engineer a goal, they worked the ball until Rob Fucci took a shot from outside the box to beat Piotrowski on the far post to equalize the game at 2-2.

For the final two minutes, both teams were glued to midfield, forcing overtime.

In overtime, UMaine’s best chance came when Chenault came off the flank and forced a shot on net that was saved.

Minutes later, the Seawolves reverted back to their earlier tactics as midfielder Michael Palacio scored the game-winner to seal the Black Bears’ chances of making the playoffs.

“Being a backup goalie is kind of a drop of the hat and I was sitting on the bench and then I look up and I see Chad walk towards the bench,” Piotrowski said. “You do not think it’s going to happen that way and it happened and I had to be as ready as I was going to be.”

“It was like a power play in hockey with the way they worked the ball around and they did not too many shots and the shots that did come in, counted for goals.”

Before the 30th minute collapse, UMaine took the lead a little more than 20 minutes into the game thanks to a header by Chenault. The senior forward made a run inside the box as Forgett bent a cross from 25 yards out to put the Black Bears up 1-0.

As the period progressed, the Black Bears were attacking in the Seawolf box when a challenge resulted in Chenault knocking in a penalty for the 2-0 lead.

Prior to the game, seven players were recognized as a part of the senior day activities. The seniors consisted of Chenault, Forgett, Cooper Friend, Gabriel Germano, Mongeon, Kyle Vosmus and Ben Wilcox.

“It was the perfect start and then it slipped away from us,” Chenault said. “There were some elements that were out of control like the atrocious refereeing of whoever that center ref was and then they got 75 minutes of one-man advantage soccer and that is not something easy to deal with.”

My brother told my dad that he had played for the Providence Bruins last season and was Andrew Raycroft’s back up this year.

Dad muttered, “He looks like he should be playing in the ocean.”

Lately, though, it’s been the entire Bruins team that’s looked like fish out of water, as the Black and Gold have lost six of their last eight games, though they did receive a point in three of those contests because they were beaten in overtime or in a shootout.

What’s worse is that Boston’s losing skid has been brought on by the team’s own ineptitude. The Bruins have given away leads in four of the six losses during this stretch, and have blown two-goal leads three times this season.

In the old NHL, two-goal leads were the equivalent of an auto-win. Bruins fans have learned the hard way that in the fast paced, wide open game being offered today, it means squat.

Boston’s goaltending has been stellar at times, including Toivonen’s efforts in a 2-1 win over Toronto Thursday. But their save percentage is hovering just over .900, a decent figure at best, and as a team the B’s are giving up well over three goals a game.

When they’re flopping around like dolphins, it’s usually because the Bruins’ young defensive corps haven’t helped the goaltending duo.

Veterans Brian Leetch and Hal Gill, as well as former collegiate All-American Andrew Alberts, have made too many mistakes that have led to turnovers and easy goals for the opposition.

All-Star defenseman Nick Boynton’s long contract hold-out has hurt his adjustment to this new-look NHL. He missed the entire preseason and parts of the regular season, then wound up signing the same contract he was offered before camp.

The layoff certainly wasn’t worth the $0 Boynton earned through his childish squabble, because he hasn’t figured out how to play effective defense in a world devoid of the clutch-and-grab.

Last week, he even admitted on WEEI’s Dale and Holley show that he has no idea what constitutes a penalty and how defensemen are supposed to play. Not a good sign from the so-called best blue-liner on the team.

Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs wanted the Bruins to contend for the Stanley Cup this season as General Manager Mike O’Connell built a team that’s deep offensively, but weak and young on defense.

The thought process was that in the new league, out-scoring your opponent would be more important than stopping them, and in some ways it has backfired for the Bruins.

Captain Joe Thornton continues to be a force, leading the way with 17 points and Glen Murray and Sergei Samsonov have seven goals apiece, but the B’s top free-agent acquisitions have faltered.

Brad Isbister lost his spot on the top line just a few weeks into the season and Alexi Zhamnov has yet to play a game, nursing an injured shoulder, and leaving Bruins fans wondering whether the money could’ve been better spent on someone like Adam Foote or Sergei Gonchar to shore up the team’s defensive woes.

The good news is that it’s only Halloween and Boston has nearly 70 games to turn this thing around.

They’re in last place in the best division in hockey, which puts them in eighth in the conference and still in the play offs despite an abysmal start. As Boynton and company adjust to the new rules and feel things out, their play should improve and more wins should come.

What it boils down to is the Bruins buckling down and keeping their composure when they’re winning.

The offense is going to continue to spot them leads, but allowing short handed goals that tie games, like they did at Toronto last Tuesday, is unacceptable.

Be it new lines, new strategies, or new personnel, coach Mike Sullivan needs to do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the Boston net for the rest of the season.

As the defense learns to swim, the goalies will find themselves dolphin-flopping less often.

Otherwise, the Bruins championship hopes will wind up sleeping with the fishes.

For the University of Maine men’s ice hockey squad it’s been a long time coming.

After an entire season last year, full of heartache, the Black Bears seem to have finally coerced luck back onto their side for now. All it took was a weekend trip to the Bay State.

Behind the Massachussetts trio of Billy Ryan, Rob Bellamy and Bret Tyler, the Black Bears knocked off Boston College and the University of Massachussetts-Amherst to collect four all-important Hockey East Points. After opening the Hockey East season on Friday with an intense 2-1 victory over Boston College, the Black Bears stormed into Amherst and shut down the Minutemen 4-0 Saturday.

“We were on the other side of those type of games last year quite a bit,” said UMaine head coach Tim Whitehead. “I thought we were very fortunate; I am not just saying that to make up a story. We were getting a lot of breaks.”

Behind two sensational performances by goalies Ben Bishop and Matt Lundin, the Black Bears extended their winning streak to six -straight games.

“Its a good start, we’re excited obviously,” said Whitehead. “We are very pleased and proud of the guys for staying focused and finding ways to win the games.”

With the victories, UMaine improved to 7-1-1 on the year and 2-0-0 in conference competition.

“It’s good to get off on the right foot,” said Whitehead. “We had a lot of question marks coming in at the start of the year so guys are earning a lot of respect from their teammates.”

One of the biggest question marks entering the season was the play of Lundin and Bishop, two untested underclassmen. At the conclusion of Saturday’s game those doubts were put to rest.

“You never want to be the guy who follows Jimmy Howard,” said Whitehead, “but I’ve been very proud of both of them in how they have handled that challenge.”

On Saturday night, Lundin displayed just how far ahead of the curve he is by tallying his second straight shutout. Lundin, who recorded 31 saves, was clearly the talk of the town after the decision.

“He’s just a great competitor, He really has risen to the challenge,” said Whitehead.

Bishop was equally impressive on Friday.

“He was great, he’s met every challenge we’ve thrown at him so far,” said Whitehead. “He’s really shown a lot of composure, played to his size, but he’s good in tight too. He’s very good when the puck is down out at his feet. He’s surprised a lot of people with that.”

The freshman recorded 30 saves en route to the victory.

“He is playing beyond his years right now, that is for sure,” said assistant captain Steve Mullin. “If you would look at him, you wouldn’t think he was a freshman.”

On Saturday, the Black Bears kicked off the scoring at 18:15 of the first period. The ensuing play saw Bellamy deflect a chest high shot from Ryan into the back of goalie Gabe Winer’s net.

“Billy curled around and just fired it on net and I tried to get in front of the goalie, it just happened to go over Winer’s blocker,” said Bellamy. “I was just happy I got my first one this year.”

Bellamy’s first goal of the season saw assists come from Ryan and Derek Damon.

The Black Bears struck again at 6:15 of the second period, when when Josh Soares sent a perfect pass to the front of the UMass net on the power play. Timing the pass perfectly, Damon redirected the shot into the far corner of net. Winer had no time to react to the quick shot. Soares and John Hopson recorded assists on the play.

With the Black Bears controlling most of the play in the second period, the fatal blow came at 11:33. It was once again a play created by the red-hot Ryan. Using his speed and agility, Ryan continually eluded the UMass defenseman until he had a clear shot from about 10 feet out.

Keenan Hopson proceeded to pounce on the rebound, which kicked off Winer’s right leg pad. The goal coming on a 3-on-3 was Hopson’s second of the year.

Whitehead believes the ultimate nail in the coffin came at 9:41 of the third period when Jon Jankus scored on the Minutemen’s power play.

“The short-handed goal was big, it was kind of the back breaker because UMass was outplaying us in the third period,” said Whitehead.

On the play, UMass’s Degon was unable to control a loose puck in the Black Bears’ zone. From there, the puck scooted out to the center, with Jankus giving chase. Beating Degon to the puck, Jankus had a breakaway on Winer. Jankus proceeded to make a sizzling deke to the left, fooling Winer completely. Jankus tapped the puck into a wide open right side of the net at 9:41.

“It was a weird game actually,” said Whitehead. “I thought it seemed like once Bellamy scored the first one, all the luck was going our way. I have been in those games the other way.”

UMaine finished the game with one 3-on-3 goal, a power play goal and a short handed goal.

Winer collected 35 saves.

The Black Bears finished the decision 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Minutemen were 0-for-7.

On Friday, the Black Bears got revenge for last year’s squad who went 0-3-1 against the Eagles, including a heartbreaking double overtime defeat in the Hockey East semifinals.

“We remember last year at the FleetCenter when they beat us in double overtime,” said senior Derek Damon. “I felt kind of upset about that game because I didn’t think I played my best, so I wanted to come back and really but out a good effort for the guys.”

Damon was one of the many who spearheaded the Black Bear attack, which picked up a win at Chestnut Hill for the first time since 2002.

“It seemed like forever since we won here,” said Damon.

The Eagles got on the scoreboard at 1:59 of the first period when Chris Collins snuck the puck past the blocker skate of Bishop.

“The guy made a good play,” said Bishop. “It came off the net a little bit and he throw it off my skate and in. I should of been on the post.”

“The defense was blocking shots all the time, so it makes my job so much easier.”

The Black Bears pilfered Cory Scheider’s net for the first time at 7:57 of the second period. The goal saw Damon send a laser past Schneider’s blocker pad. Hopson recorded an assist on the power play tally.

The game-winner came at 19:33 of the second period when Ryan smoked a shot off the near post and into the back of the net.

“He was trying to look around to find where the puck was and I just let it go,” said Ryan. “A lot of people gave me a hard time thinking I couldn’t shoot like that.”

“The reality is that game could have gone either way,” said Whitehead. “We are pleased to get out with two points.”

The Eagles attempted to throw everything at the Black Bears in the final minute, only to come up with nothing. The best opportunity came with 30 seconds left when a loose puck bounced free only to see Mullin swipe it out.

The Black Bears return to action Friday at Alfond Arena against Merrimack.

Saucier, one of the four seniors on the University of Maine field hockey team, had hoped her team would win on Sunday, and be able to host the America East tournament. That did not happen with the Black Bears’ 3-1 loss at home on Sunday to Boston University,

UMaine ends the regular season with a 4-1 conference record, the same as BU, meaning the teams will share the conference regular season championship.

However, since the Terriers won the head-to-head matchup between the teams, they will get the opportunity to host the America East tournament which will take place next weekend.

“It’s disappointing to lose at home,” said senior Kasey Spencer, who scored UMaine’s only goal half-way through the second half. “It would have been nice to make all those teams come to Maine.”

The game was just UMaine’s fourth home game of the season, only two of which were conference games.

Spencer, who did not practice this week, played Sunday’s game hurt. She said there was nothing that would stop her from playing Sunday.

“She wasn’t 100 percent,” said UMaine head coach Terry Kix. “She really wanted to be out there and she was struggling.”

Spencer also said she is definitely going to play next weekend. She is going to try to help, as best she can, her team prepare for their fifth straight trip to the America East tournament.

“We need to just prepare to go all the way,” said Spencer. “Practice will be real intense this week.”

UMaine fell behind 3-0 just before half-time, but battled back in the second half. Spencer’s goal lifted her team, but their shots would not go in the last minutes.

“We didn’t cave,” said Kix. “We came out inspired and we played a very special second half.”

The Black Bears will play Albany in the first round of the America East tournament Friday in Boston, while BU will play Vermont.

UMaine beat Albany earlier in the season 2-1, but Kix says the Great Danes are a hot team as of late.

“We’re going to have a really tough game against Albany, in hopes that we get another chance to make it to the championship game,” she said.

“I wanted to win so much, and be regular season champs, but we’re co-champs,” said Saucier. “After the first half I was getting a little nervous, but after playing the second half I feel really good about going into this tournament.”

As for playing her last home game, Saucier had not really considered it until the game had come to an end.

“I wasn’t planning on that at all,” she said, “I’ll have to think about that later on.”

UMaine finished the regular season 12-5 overall, and will hope for a shot at revenge against BU next Saturday if UMaine can defeat the Great Danes, and if the Terriers are able to advance past the Catamounts.

The Terriers were the preseason favorite to win the conference, and have been ranked in the top 20 of the national poll all season.

Although the Black Bears are making their fifth straight trip to the tournament, they have never won it.

The last four America East tournaments have been won by Northeastern, which moved to a different conference prior to this season.

That leaves the championship up for grabs and while the Terriers will be the clear favoritebecause they will be playing on their home turf, the Black Bears will have an excellent chance to claiming their first ever conference championship and national tournament berth.

The America East conference champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA championship tournament.

Finally, despite giving away a 13-0 lead, it paid off as the University of Maine football team outlasted the Delaware Blue Hens 25-15 Saturday at Alfond Stadium.

“We keep telling them to go all out and never quit hustling, and good things will happen. This game proved that today,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove, who celebrated his 50th birthday Sunday with a win against a team the Black Bears seldom beat, as they have now won just six of their 28 meetings with the Blue Hens.

The win, UMaine’s first in Atlantic-10 play, snaps a three game losing skid and sees their conference record improve to 1-4 while they stand at 2-5 overall.

The Black Bears seized control as Delaware looked poised to score the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. At UMaine’s 12-yard line, Delaware running back Danny Jones had the ball stripped by sophomore defensive tackle Bruno Dorismond and the Black Bears recovered to end the scoring threat.

“We hung in there and got a couple of turnovers against a team that doesn’t turn it over much. That changed the complexion of the game,” said Cosgrove.

Junior quarterback Ron Whitcomb took over after the fumble and led the Black Bears 88 yards in 10 plays to give UMaine the lead for good on the offense’s only sustained drive in the second half.

Whitcomb hit senior wide receiver Kevin McMahan for a six-yard touchdown, but UMaine missed the extra point to take a perilous 19-13 lead.

“We started that drive well, especially with the running game. We needed to break the pattern of going three and out,” said Whitcomb.

Delaware took over looking to find the go ahead touchdown, but instead it was the Black Hole defense that came up with another game-changing play.

Blue Hens quarterback Sonny Riccio dropped back and the Black Hole pass rush reached him, as sophomore defensive end Patrick McCrossan knocked the ball out of Riccio’s hands. Dorismond pounced on the loose ball and rumbled 29 yards to the one-yard line.

“The defense came up big for us today and as an offense we didn’t want to let them down,” said senior tailback Montell Owens, who high-stepped his way into the end zone to give the Black Bears a 25-13 lead on the second play following Dorismond’s recovery.

Delaware recorded a safety when UMaine intentionally snapped the ball out of the end zone with just under 15 seconds to play in the contest, accounting for the 25-15 final score.

Midway through the first quarter, the Black Bears drew first blood when Whitcomb connected with McMahan for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Whitcomb finished with 134 yards passing and two touchdowns while McMahan hauled in four balls for 70 yards and both scores.

UMaine went on top 13-0 after Owens capped a lengthy drive with a one-yard scoring run.

Delaware pulled to within six when Omar Cuff found the end zone with just over a minute to go in the first half. A pair of third quarter field goals by Blue Hens kicker Zach Hobby tied the game 13-13 heading into the fourth.

Despite its losing streak and having dropped close contests to Delaware the past two seasons, the Black Bears wouldn’t blink in the face of adversity.

“That just speaks to the character of these kids,” said Cosgrove.

“We just said ‘we’re tired of losing’ and came out with the attitude that we’re going to do whatever it takes,” added Owens. “Those two fumbles energized us, I don’t think just for today but for the rest of the season.”

The Black Bears return to action Saturday when they travel to Boston to take on Atlantic-10 rival Northeastern.

Kick off is set for 12:30.