The University of Maine field hockey team (9-4, 3-1 AE) traveled to Durham, N.H. for a border war against the Wildcats from the University of New Hampshire (5-8, 2-3 AE) on Friday, Oct. 13. The Black Bears came out on top, winning 4-3. Last year, the Black Bears beat the Wildcats 5-1 on Senior Day. The Black Bears also defeated UNH 3-2 in overtime. Maine is ranked nationally in points per game (seventh), goals per game (eighth), scoring margin (12th), winning percentage (20th) and penalty corners per game (24th).
Starting in goal for the Black Bears was redshirt fourth-year Emma Cochran from Surrey, British Columbia. Last year, Cochran played in 20 games, making 11 starts and allowed only 16 goals.
Starting in goal for the Wildcats was third-year Kelsey Rudert. This season, Rudert has started 11 games for the Wildcats and has a 2.92 GAA and .603 save percentage.
In the first half, the Black Bears got on the board first, 16:13 into the half, when first-year Hana Davis put the ball past the sprawling UNH goalie. It was goal number four for the season for Davis.
The Black Bears stuck again when third-year captain Casey Crowley struck the ball past Rudert for her third goal of the season, making it 2-0.
However, the first half wasn’t over for UNH. With seven seconds left in the half, third-year Katie Audino from Severn, Md. answered back with her seventh goal of the season, making it 2-1.
After 35 minutes of play, the Wildcats led Maine in shots on goal, 4-3. UNH also led Maine in corners, 3-1.
In the second half, the Black Bears struck early when second-year Brianna Ricker netted home a nice pass from third-year Lydia Gavner. It was Ricker’s ninth goal of the season, giving the Black Bears a 3-1 lead.
The Black Bears struck again when second-year Riley Field from Sidney, Maine made a reverse hit that went top shelf for her second goal of the season, making it 4-1. The goal was assisted by Crowley. Maine came close again when Ricker received a stretch pass that left her all alone on goal, but she hit the post.
The Wildcats answered back when first-year Bloem van den Brekel from Eindhoven, Netherlands netted a goal from a pass by fourth-year Gianna Bensaia decreasing the deficit to two.
UNH struck again when fourth-year Taylor Scafidi put one past Cochran, putting the Wildcats only down by one with 1:30 left in the game. However, the Black Bears hung on to win it.
The Black Bears return to the turf Friday, Oct. 20 when they host the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. The Wildcats return to the turf Wednesday, Oct. 18 when they visit Dartmouth College for a little out-of-conference action. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
