I worked as a “ball girl” at the tournament, shagging balls that flew off the field, making sure they were replaced. It was an interesting job. We had to stay in the game and make sure our eyes watched the ball at all times. It was a great workout that could become tiresome, but it was great to work the games and watch the Black Bears dominate.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs took on the Red Raiders on the Black Bears’ home turf. Black Bears were not part of this, even though it was great to watch the two teams play on their field. Before the game started, I noticed an older woman trying to walk to the field. She was feeble and had a hard time walking. I approached her to ask if she wanted help. She was eager to have someone help and talk to her. She had a colorful cane and a colorful skirt. She seemed lively and was enjoyable to talk with.

She told me her name was Bobbi. She started the Yale field hockey program in 1972 and was their first coach. She and her husband live in Brunswick, Maine. Her husband drove her to Orono to see Yale play because they were playing close to home. I could not believe that an 85-year-old woman would travel such a distance to see the team play. It was amazing to see someone so dedicated to the program.

Bobbi met with the Yale head coach, who asked if she and her husband wanted to sit next to the player’s bench. She gladly accepted the offer. She chatted with the other players and gave them advice on their play. The Bulldogs defeated the Red Raiders 1-0. At the end of the game, I spoke with Bobbi again to see if she needed assistance. She explained how play was different from when she was coaching. She said the players and coaches seemed louder and the play was more fast-paced. She had a hard time grasping that the game was different and although she thoroughly enjoyed it, it was hard for her to take in. It was fascinating to chat with her and learn the history of the game from a different generation’s point of view.

The Black Bears did not participate in the game Saturday, but it was wonderful to see this woman watch the program she started. She was thrilled to have the opportunity. It was amazing to have the Black Bears host this event, so Bobbi had her chance to see her program live on.

UMaine improved their record on the new season 2-1, while Dartmouth fell to 0-1.

Both teams came out fighting, but UMaine notched the first goal at 6:26 when Courtney Veinotte got one by Dartmouth goalkeeper Meagan Vakiener on an assist by Brittney Cummings.

It wasn’t long before the Black Bears got on the board again when reigning America East Rookie of the Year Kelly Newton passed it off to Jocelyn Mitchell at the corner who knocked it in for a 2-0 lead.

Dartmouth fought back and used a penalty corner to their advantage when Kelly Hood drove one up into the net on the shared assist by Kelly McHenry and Rebecca Sobel. At 23:34, the Big Green tied it up on a breakaway by Meghan Everett.

Just a few minutes later at 26:52, Stephanie Gardiner took a pass from Mitchell down the field where she drove the ball down low to give UMaine the 3-2 lead.

Two penalty corners within the next few minutes resulted in two more Maine goals, both off the stick of Ellen Andrews, to increase the lead to 5-2.

The Big Green fought back and at 40:53 Sobel drove in a pass from Hood to close the gap to 5-3. The UMaine offense continued their attack though and scored twice more at 42:18 and 45:01 by Maire Dineen and Gardiner.

At 51:02, Dartmouth’s Sobel knocked one in off a scramble in front of the goal to once again close the gap to 7-4, but that was the end of the scoring for the Big Green.

UMaine responded with another pair of goals in the final ten minutes of the game, including Mitchell’s second goal of the day, and a Lelia Sacre drive off a corner play to finish off the scoring at 9-4.

Despite what the score might portray, both goalies had their share of great saves: still the Black Bear defense held Dartmouth back, limiting them to only 15 shots on goal, while Fleck saved eight. Vakiener faced a barrage with 41 shots on goal and 23 saves.

UMaine head coach Josette Babineau was pleased by the team’s performance and high score, but was sure that the team didn’t let down.

“I feel like we began to wear on the other team, but they were still explosive, so I wasn’t really comfortable at any point with the score,” she said.

“We are a hard working team, so we play hard from beginning to end,” Mitchell added.

The defense’s aggression was something that also weighed heavily in the game’s outcome.

“That’s definitely the style of play we try to have with the defense, and I think that was the key to the game, we wore them out,” Babineau said.

It’s early in the season for the Black Bears, but not too soon to set their sights to the future and the chance at the America East playoffs.

“I definitely think we have a talented group this year,” Babineau said. “We want to compete in the conference just like any other conference team and set up for a good semifinals game. We are trying to prepare for October for the conference playoffs.”