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The University of Maine field hockey team had quite a successful season, making the conference tournament before falling to top-seeded University of New Hampshire.
“At the start of each of my three seasons at Maine, it has been a goal of ours to earn a spot in the America East tournament,” junior forward Kelly Newton said. “However, this year was different, as we had many returners all having years of experience in this league along with a great incoming class to fill in our lineup. Our goal this year was to host and win our league tournament, a goal that was cut short with a loss in the semifinals to UNH.”
Although the team fell short of their overall goal, it was not because of Newton, who tied the school record for points in a season — with 45 — and broke the school record for career points — with 106 — in her junior season. It was with these numbers, and the great regular season the Black Bears played, that made Newton an All-American for the first time.
“It’s definitely a great honor to be recognized as an All-American,” Newton said. “I give credit to my teammates, my linemates, along with the coaches for giving me the opportunity to play here and help me develop as a player.”
Newton was named to both the Longstreth / National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I Third Team, as well as the womensfieldhockey.com All-American Third Team. Newton also gained All-America East Conference First Team recognition, as well as being named America East Offensive Player of the Year.
Even after the accolades, Newton appeared humble, redirecting the reasons for her awards as her teammates.
“The most important factor that contributed to my success was, without a doubt, my teammates,” Newton said. “The amount of skill that I found myself surrounded by on the field was monumental, from having a solid goaltender in net all the way up to our forward line. [Junior forwards] Stephanie Gardiner and Jocelyn Mitchell were both huge contributors to our team’s offensive success and there is no way I could have had the season that I did without them.”
Overall, the field hockey team finished with a 13-6 record and fared well at home, giving up just one loss to the pesky Wildcats. Newton hopes the returning talent and hard work exerted in the offseason will bring about a championship.
“We didn’t meet our goal this year, but there is no doubt in my mind that with the girls coming back, we will have another great shot at the championship next season,” Newton said.
