On Sept. 22, the University of Maine women’s field hockey team won against the visiting team, University of Vermont, by a score of 3-1.
UMaine entered the contest with a win-loss record of 6-3, continuing the streak after wins against Merrimack College and Stonehill College last weekend. Vermont entered with a 2-5 record, looking for a bounceback win after a loss against Harvard University.
In the first quarter, Maine took charge quickly. UVM’s Catamounts committed fouls from the start, and Maine used this to their advantage. Two minutes into the game, fifth-year back Alexandra Sacker scored her third goal of the season, assisted by fifth-year midfielder Victoria Tinghitella and second-year back Eloise Penty.
The Black Bears stayed in control for most of the quarter, earning another penalty corner. A minute later, another UMaine goal was scored by third-year midfielder Olivia Geniti, her fifth of the season, assisted by third-year forward Kate Richardson 10 minutes into the quarter. The Catamounts tried to fight back with an offensive push, but came up short.
At the start of the second quarter, the Black Bears led 2-0. Shortly after another penalty corner for Maine, a third Black Bears’ goal occurred. Fourth-year back Poppy Lambert scored her fourth of the season, assisted by Tinghitella and Penty. The score remained 3-0 heading into halftime.
The Catamounts, attempting a comeback, earned a penalty corner early in the third quarter. Maine challenged the play, but the call was upheld. However, fifth-year goalie Rozárie Mrázová, made the save. The Black Bears continued to foul during the quarter. During Vermont’s fourth penalty corner of the game, Mrázová made a great blocker save.
Another penalty also went under review. The call stood, giving the Black Bears another penalty corner. The shot was blocked by the goalie, first-year Merle Vaandrager. The Catamounts had more energy than the Black Bears, but could not get on the board. The quarter ended 3-0 with the Black Bears leading.
A minute into the fourth quarter, the Black Bears got another penalty corner. No goal was scored on this attempt. On the other end of the field, fourth-year midfielder Meg Weyer scored off of a penalty corner, assisted by fifth-year midfielder Sophia Drees and first-year forward Marie Dijkstra. This broke the no-goals allowed streak that the Black Bears had been on for the past three games.
Despite a two-minute green card penalty given to fifth-year midfielder Bhreagh Kennedy, Maine hung on to win 3-1. Vermont finished the game with 14 shots on goal, compared to Maine’s eight. The Catamounts also had nine penalty corners while the Black Bears had seven. Mrázová finished with 13 saves, propelling her team to victory.
The Black Bears look to continue their three game win streak as they travel to Fairfield University on Sunday Sept. 29.
