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For two seasons they have earned the title of “good,” but on Saturday, they will look for another kind of a title – “America East Champions.”
The University of Maine women’s soccer team will look to end a two-year runners-up streak when they take on host and top-seed Boston University in the final round of the America East Championships.
“I think it will be a great game,” said UMaine head coach Scott Atherley. “We tied during the regular season, and traditionally every game with BU is tight. In my mind, the pressure is on them being the host, and number one seed.”
UMaine’s trek to the championship game almost did not happen as they drew 0-0 against the third-seeded Binghamton Bearcats. Two overtime periods were not enough as both teams took the match into penalty kicks.
The Black Bears netted three goals and the stellar play of America East Goalkeeper of the year Jasmine Phillips led them past the Bearcats in the penalty kick session.
The victory saw the Black Bears advance to their third straight title game. The team is in search of their first conference crown, which has eluded them over the past two seasons.
UMaine also garnered a measure of revenge in ousting Binghamton, who defeated them in last year’s championship game and handed them their lone conference loss this season.
In 2003, UMaine and BU played to a scoreless tie which saw the Terriers pick up the America East crown and a bid to the NCAA tournament thanks to a 3-2 advantage on penalty kicks.
“We are so ready for the game this weekend,” said forward Heather Hathorn, who has scored a school-record 34 goals in her career. “It comes down to 90 minutes and the season could be over. We are not ready for the season to be over yet.”
“For many of us this is the third year in a row being in the championship game and this year is our year.”
When the two teams faced each other, earlier in the season, the game resulted in a 1-1 tie. After seeing the Terriers take a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute, the Black Bears received the equalizer in a crucial goal from senior Erin Corey as she scored the equalizer in the 69th minute.
Since the last time the two faced each other, UMaine has gone 7-1-0 including the lone loss to Binghamton. During that stretch, the Black Bears outscored opponents 18-2.
UMaine placed three sophomores on the America East All-Conference First-Team with midfielders Marie-Andree Canuel and Marie-Michele Bouchard as well as goaltender Jasmine Phillips. Senior defender Linda Consolante was also named to the First-Team.
Hathorn and senior Erin Corey received Second-Team honors.
“We’re doing nothing different. Something that we emphasize is the fact we approach every game the same, and with the same mentality,” said senior midfielder Angela Clark.
“Of course there is more riding on this one, especially for us seniors, but we aren’t changing our tactics at all.”
Should the Black Bears come out on top against the Terriers on Saturday, then as conference champions they would earn a berth in the 2005 NCAA national women’s soccer championship tournament.
It would be the first trip to the NCAA tournament and the first conference championship in the history of the UMaine soccer program.
