On Senior Night, Friday Nov. 1, the University of Maine Field Hockey team won 2-0 against the visiting rival University of New Hampshire (UNH) Wildcats. With the win, Maine clinched third place in the America East regular season standings heading into the America East Tournament.
UMaine entered the contest with a win-loss record of 9-8 after losing to the University of Albany. New Hampshire entered the contest with the same 9-8 record, and both teams looked to close out the regular season with a win.
In the first quarter, the Black Bears took control quickly. Maine got the first penalty corner of the game, but no goal was scored. Maine had another penalty corner three minutes later, and no goal was scored on this attempt. A minute later, New Hampshire earned a penalty corner. Black Bear goalie second-year Jayde Temby made a huge save to hold the quarter scoreless. Maine finished the first quarter with six shots and New Hampshire with one.
The Black Bears continued to control the game going into the second quarter. In the 11th minute of the quarter, Maine had another opportunity to score with another penalty corner. Once again, no goal was scored. New Hampshire also had another penalty corner two minutes after the Black Bears. Temby made another crucial save to keep the game scoreless. After three shots for each team in the second quarter, the game would be scoreless at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Black Bears were once again dominant. With six minutes remaining, Maine earned three consecutive penalty corners, but failed to score again. New Hampshire gained another penalty corner a minute after the Black Bears had three.
A minute later, the Black Bears broke the scoreless tie with three minutes left in the third. The goal was scored by second-year forward Saylor Kuefler, her fourth of the season and was assisted by third-year forward Kate Richardson. On a rush, Richardson stickhandled the ball into the box, her shot was deflected towards Kuefler, who batted it high into the air and into the net.
The Wildcats were quick to challenge the goal, but the call stood. After outshooting New Hampshire eight to two, Maine entered the final quarter with a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats came out ready to try to tie the game. The effort fell short with six minutes remaining in the game, as Maine got another penalty corner. A goal was scored by second-year back Eloise Penty, her first career goal for Maine. She finished off a pass down low from graduate-student back Alexandra Sacker. Graduate student midfielder Victoria Tinghitella also picked up an assist.
The Wildcats continued to try to score, but were unsuccessful as Maine held on to win 2-0. Temby gained her first career shutout as she stopped all six shots, securing the victory. Maine outshot New Hampshire 19 to 6. New Hampshire had four penalty corners, while Maine had 11. Maine ends the regular season, clinching 3rd with a record of 10-8.
Maine will travel to Albany, New York, for the America East Tournament. Their first game will be on Thursday Nov. 7 against University of California, Davis.
