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The University of Maine field hockey team met Boston College on Sunday and despite a valiant effort, fell to the nationally ranked Eagles by a score of 2-0. The sun was bright but there was a hint of fall in the air and the fans were out to support the Black Bears. UMaine, which had bounced back from a rough losing streak to win three in a row, fell to 6-9 on the season while the No. 6 Boston College Eagles improved to 12-3.
The game was hard fought and well played by both teams. The first half was entirely scoreless, and the ball went back and forth with neither squad able to gain much of an advantage. The Eagles came out more aggressively in the second half and were eventually able to wear down UMaine’s tough defense enough to score a couple goals. The first one occurred about six minutes into the half, and was unassisted and scored by Crystal Frates for her eleventh goal of the season. The second was scored when Bob Dirks beat UMaine goalie Rebecca Giroux with a long shot from the top of the circle. It was her team-leading thirteenth goal of the season, and was assisted by Caitlin Gillen.
Senior captain Katie Flaherty said that she thought the team played perfect hockey for “60 out of 70 minutes.” Flaherty said that the past few games that they’ve played have been the hardest she’s ever seen them play. She’s not disappointed in the team’s record and feels the biggest problem is that they don’t have a go-to scorer this year. The team wasn’t nervous about playing BC, and was more excited and relishing the challenge than anything, Flaherty said.
Giroux had eight saves and the Black Bears played well defensively but they couldn’t get any offense going against the Eagles’ swarming defense. UMaine had only two shots on goal, compared to 15 by Boston College. The Eagles also had an 8-2 advantage on penalty corners, but neither team was able to capitalize on these opportunities.
Interim head coach Andrea Thebarge said the team’s performance was “outstanding,” and was especially impressed with how the defense played against a nationally ranked opponent. Thebarge thought that one thing that BC was able to use to their advantage against them was their use of “aerial ball” or launching the ball in the air with their sticks. She is looking ahead to the Black Bears’ final two games of the season, against Maryland-Baltimore County and Boston University. Both games are conference games, and UMaine will need to win at least one to clinch a spot in the playoffs. She said she thinks the team is peaking right now and is optimistic for the future, with eight freshmen on the team and only four seniors leaving after this season’s over.
The Black Bears will play again on Sunday, Oct. 22, at noon when they host UMBC for their final home game of the regular season.
