On Friday afternoon, the University of Maine field hockey team’s senior game kicked off the start of homecoming weekend against the University of Vermont Catamounts, losing the home game 3-0.
Prior to the start of the game, the Athletic Department honored fourth-years Casey Crowley, Lydia Gavner, Emily Hindle, Ella Mosky, Libby Reidl and Samantha Wagg for their contributions to the team both on and off the field throughout their years. The six have a combined total of 343 points from the 117 goals and 109 assists that the women have tallied over the last four years together. They will wrap up their careers with a 24-8 home record.
The game itself was a rough one for the Black Bears; although Maine was defending home turf, the Catamounts played like they had to win — and they did. In order for the Catamounts to advance to the American East Tournament, they had to win at least one game before they would be considered. The Black Bears loss snapped Maine’s 14-game winning streak over the Catamounts, which began in 2008.
Despite the loss, the Black Bears played hard. Maine held a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 9-8 lead in shots on goal. While they may have lost this contest, Maine still holds an edge of 30-10-1 in the all-time series over Vermont.
During the second half, the Black Bears scrambled to play defense, with the Catamounts making a hard offensive stance in an attempt to extend their 2-0 lead. The Black Bears managed to prevent the Catamounts from scoring their third goal until the end of the second period.
All of Vermont’s goals this game came during corner penalty shots, another category where Maine held a 7-6 advantage, but was unable to convert.
Mia Borley, goalie for UMaine, registered five saves in 70 minutes in the cage.
Overall, the game was an emotional one, for both players and spectators.
The fourth-years, who have been an integral part of the field hockey team during their tenure with the Black Bears, worked hard as they prepare to close out their final regular season.
“We’re a really good team, I think we’re the best team despite this loss, we’re the best team in our conference,” Brianna Ricker, a third-year from Port Moody, British Columbia, said.
Ricker is confident that the Black Bears will be able to do well at the upcoming America East Tournament. The forward said that she doesn’t feel as though the Black Bears will play any different, even after this loss.
She felt as though Friday’s game just caught the Black Bears in an unlucky spot.
“We worked really hard and strung together some really good passes, we [just] got a little bit unlucky with the chances this game,” Ricker said post-game.
The Black Bears will kickoff the America East Tournament this Tuesday, Oct. 30, by traveling to Stanford, California in an attempt to make their way to the final four for the playoff picture.
