Skowhegan's Hancock wins Miss Maine Field Hockey Award

AUGUSTA -- Melissa Hancock, a senior who played sweeper for Skowhegan Area High School, was selected as the winner of the Miss Maine Field Hockey Award. The decision was announced Sunday afternoon at the Maine Field Hockey Association's annual banquet at the Augusta Civic Center.

The award is given annually to the top senior player in the state.

Hancock scored seven goals this season as the Indians won their seventh consecutive Class A state title. Two of her goals were in the Eastern A final and another was in the state final. Hancock was also the backbone of Skowhegan's defense this season.

It's Skowhegan again - seven years and counting

The Indians extend their remarkable championship streak, this time with a 2-0 win over Sanford.

By RACHEL LENZI, Staff Writer

With yet another state title in hand, the expectation of winning should be commonplace by now for the Skowhegan field hockey team.

But even after a 2-0 win Monday over Sanford at Fitzpatrick Stadium for their seventh consecutive Class A championship, the Indians beg to differ.

"Our defense works very hard and it showed," said Samantha Gifford, who scored Skowhegan's first goal. "Everyone thinks its easy to win, but it's really not. It's dedication, and we all work hard together."

Gifford and Melissa Hancock scored for the Indians, who put 10 shots on goal and kept Sanford (17-1) from producing any threats until late in the game.

Skowhegan Coach Paula Doughty was in awe of her team's first- half effort but forewarned the Indians of a potential second-half comeback by Sanford.

"I've never seen any of my teams play like they played in the first half," said Doughty, whose team gave up only three goals in 18 games.

"They were amazing. I thought they were amazing. But in the second half they were hanging on."

Skowhegan (17-1) put pressure on Sanford throughout the first half, as Sanford got inside the 16-yard circle just once. The Indians allowed only two shots on goalie Megan Hancock, and it wasn't until the final eight minutes of the game that Sanford was able to produce a consistent offensive effort.

Lauren L'Heureux's shot from the left of Hancock hit the outside of the goal with less than eight minutes left, and Sanford was unable to convert two penalty corners late in the game. Skowhegan's defense deflected Kassandra Martin's drive off a corner in the final minute, and the Indians cleared out Sanford's second corner.

"We put the pressure on them toward the end of the game, but unfortunately it was a little too late," said Sanford Coach Diana Walker, whose team reached its first state championship game since 2001, a 3-0 loss to Skowhegan.

"I think if we had been able to score one goal it could have been a whole different ball game."

Gifford gave Skowhegan a 1-0 lead at 11:08. Standing in front of the goal next to Sanford goalie Cortny Burby (eight saves), Gifford was the third player to get a stick on the ball and pushed a shot into the goal.

"Mallory Hancock passed it over to me after I went down and passed it to her," Gifford said. "Then I drove in to score."

With 1:53 left in the first half, Melissa Hancock gave Skowhegan a 2-0 lead, sending in a shot from the top of the circle after Skowhegan's fifth corner of the half.

"She hit it perfectly," Gifford said of Hancock's goal.

"They were beating us to the ball and we were one-timing it too much," Walker said. "We weren't following up on our shots and that's been a problem, a situation that we've had throughout the whole season where it's taken us five or 10 minutes to get going. And we said, 'if this happens against Skowhegan, it's going to be really hard to come back at them.' That's when they jumped on us, and we were playing catch-up the rest of the game."

Staff Writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at:
rlenzi@pressherald.com

HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY: Skowhegan wins 7th straight Class A title

By TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Staff Writer

PORTLAND -- This is the definition of a top-notch sports program. Even in the so-called rebuilding years, you take home a state title.

Skowhegan Area High School field hockey coach Paula Doughty came into this season with just four starters back from last year's 18-0 team. But rebuilding on such a solid foundation more often than not leads to another solid structure.

With Monday's 2-0 win against Sanford in the Class A state championship game at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Skowhegan can get to building an addition on the trophy case.

"Last year we lost everybody. We only had four kids back and I knew this was going to be a rebuilding year," Doughty said. "I knew we had a lot of hardworking kids. ... I'm tickled to death. I'm more excited tonight than I've been in a long time."

It was the seventh consecutive state title and 10th since 1991 for Skowhegan, which ends the season with a 17-1-0 record. For Western Maine winner Sanford, also 17-1-0, it was the first loss of the season. Sanford also lost to Skowhegan in the 2001 state championship, in the game that started Skowhegan's run of titles.

"We thought if we worked hard, we'd be able to pull through," said Skowhegan senior forward Samantha Gifford, who scored the Indians' first goal with 11 minutes, 9 seconds left in the first half. Gifford took a pass from Mallory Hancock and fell as she slipped the ball past Sanford goalie Cortny Burby.

Skowhegan's second goal came off a penalty corner with 1:53 to play in the first half. Gifford inserted the ball to Melissa Hancock, who scored with a shot from the top of the circle.

"We practiced all sorts of different (penalty corners)," Gifford said. "We've been practicing all season, and (Hancock) hit it perfectly."

Skowhegan outshot Sanford 5-0 in the first half and kept the play predominately in the Sanford defensive zone.

"The first half, I mean, I've never seen any of my teams play like they did in the first half. They were amazing," Doughty said.

Slow starts have been a problem for Sanford all season, coach Diana Walker said, and she knew that could be a problem against the Indians.

"They were beating us to the ball. We were one-timing it a bit too much. We weren't following up on our shots. That's been a problem or a situation all season," Walker said. "It's taken us five or 10 minutes to get going, and we said if this happens against Skowhegan, it's going to be really hard to come back at them."

Sanford was finally able to sustain offensive pressure over the last 15 minutes of the game. The Redskins still only put two shots on net and Skowhegan was able to preserve the shutout. Sanford didn't take a penalty corner until there were under two minutes to play, and although the Redskins had two penalty corners in the final minute, they were unable to get a shot on net.

"We put the pressure on them toward the end of the game, but unfortunately it was a little bit too late," Walker said.

Sophomore Megan Hancock made two saves for the win, but team defense was Skowhegan's key.

"We mark up on everybody. Even the forwards come back and mark," Melissa Hancock said. "We don't pay attention to one person, because anybody can put it in the net."

Burby finished with eight saves for Sanford.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242
tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Skowhegan field hockey team wins seventh straight state title

By Jessica Bloch
Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - Bangor Daily News

PORTLAND, Maine — Winning state championships never gets old, not even when a team has won seven Class A titles in a row like the Skowhegan field hockey team has.

And especially not the way in which the Indians earned a 2-0 victory over Sanford Monday evening at Fitzpatrick Stadium. It wasn’t a completely dominating win — Sanford put a lot of pressure on Skowhegan late in the game — but the fact that the Indians were vying for the crown yet again made it a special victory.

Skowhegan went 17-1 despite having just four players back from last year’s powerhouse team.

"I knew this was going to be a rebuilding year," said coach Paula Doughty, who is in her 28th season at Skowhegan. "I knew we had a lot of hard-working kids. I’m tickled to death. I am. I’m more excited tonight than I’ve been in a long time."

The Waterville field hockey team waited a lot longer for their state title, but the Panthers won their first since 1979 with a 2-1 victory over Maranacook of Readfield.

The state field hockey championships were on their second postponement date as games were rescheduled from Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 because of weather. The Class C game between Telstar of Bethel and Foxcroft Academy will be played Tuesday at 6 p.m., also at Fitzpatrick.

Seniors Melissa Hancock and Samantha Gifford each scored a first-half goal for Skowhegan, which had a 10-2 edge in shots on goal.

Gifford scored her goal with 11 minutes, 9 seconds left during a scrum in the penalty area that left her on the ground after her shot. Mallory Hancock, one of three triplets whose older sister is Melissa Hancock, sent the ball over to Gifford.

Gifford helped on Hancock’s goal, which came off a penalty corner. Gifford inserted the ball from left side of the cage, sending the ball straight ahead to Hancock at the top of the circle. Hancock took a slapshot, blasting the ball into the cage past Sanford goalie Mary Frances White with 1:53 left.

It went exactly as diagrammed, even though it took four corners before Skowhegan finally got one in.

"I kind of got reamed out a little bit about that and I was told to shoot at all costs, so that’s what I did," Hancock said. "We just wanted to get a shot off, get a rebound and ditch, but luckily that one went in."

Sanford coach Diana Walker said the Redskins have had trouble getting involved early in games all season.

"We said if this happens against Skowhegan it’s going to be really hard to come back at them," she said. "That’s when they jumped up on us and we were playing catch-up the whole rest of the game. I think we put the pressure on them towards the end of the game but unfortunately it was a little bit too late. I think if we had been able to score one goal it would have been a whole different ball game."

Both Sanford shots came in the second half as the 17-1 Western Maine champions made its push. Sanford’s two corners, which both came with less than a minute left in the game put a scare into Skowhegan.

"Hard work. Teamwork. Communication and everyone pulled through," Gifford said of the keys to getting through the final minute. "... We knew we had to stay strong, keep our composure, get them out."

White finished with eight saves and Skowhegan goalie Megan Hancock made two saves for the shutout.

Sanford drops state title game to Skowhegan

By Mike Higgins
Sports Editor

The third time wasn’t the charm for the Sanford Redskins field hockey team. After weather forced the state field hockey championship game to be postponed twice, the Sanford Redskins and the Skowhegan Indians finally met at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland Monday night, and when all was said and done, it was Skowhegan who came out with the state Class A title with a 2-0 win.

The title was the seventh Class A championship in a row for the Indians, who finished the season at 17-1. The loss was the first of the season for the Redskins, who finished the season at 17-1 as well.

Both teams have a shared history in state title games, the Redskins’ last appearance in the Class A championship game was in 2001, when they lost to the Indians. Prior to that, Sanford was the last team to claim a state title other than Skowhegan, when the Redskins won back-to-back championships in 1999 and 2000, the last win coming at the expense of the Indians.

All of the game’s scoring came in the first half, which was a fast-paced affair. Both teams came out pumped up and were flying up and down the field. Sanford coach Diana Walker said she knew that if the Indians took the lead, Sanford would have an uphill battle ahead of them. “The whole season, it’s taken us five or 10 minutes to get going, and we said if this happens against Skowhegan, it’s going to be really hard to come back at them,” she said.

Skowhegan got their first goal with 11:09 left in the first half when Samantha Gifford took advantage of a loose ball in front of the Redskins’ goal and fired one in to take a 1-0 lead. The goal put the Redskins’ backs to the wall. “That’s when they jumped on us, and we were playing catch up the rest of the game,” Walker said.

After that first goal, the Indians took advantage of the momentum, forcing most of the action down in front of Sanford goaltender Cortny Burby. The Redskins tried to drive the ball down to the Skowhegan end of the field, but they were unable to get a shot on net in the first half.

Skowhegan jumped out to a 2-0 lead towards the end of the first half. With just 1:53 left before halftime, the Indians’ Melissa Hancock fired a shot at the Sanford goal, Burby got a pad on the ball, but unfortunately for the Redskins, the ball deflected off the pad and into the net.

Walker said she wanted to keep the Indians’ scoring chances under control, so her team would have a chance in the second half. “I wanted to stay close, at least until halftime, because I knew we’d come on a little stronger in the second half,” she said.

Coming out for the second half, Sanford did come out with some life, but Skowhegan continued to take the play to the Redskins, keeping up the momentum from the first half. Nichole Harnett and Aleida Mapes played strong on defense for Sanford, keeping Skowhegan off the scoreboard and giving their team a chance to come back.

As the second half wore on, the Redskins began to sense the urgency and finally began to ratchet up the offensive pressure on the Indians. With about nine minutes left in the half, Sanford had a flurry of offensive chances, highlighted by a Lauren L’Heureux drive that just went off the side of the Skowhegan net. L’Heureux’s shot was set up by a nice pass from Katie Hegarty.

Sanford kept up the pressure as the half went on, getting their only two penalty corners of the game in the final minute of play, but the Redskins were unable to score on either chance. “We put pressure on them toward the end of the game, but unfortunately it was a little bit too late,” Walker said. “I think if we could have scored one goal, it would have been a whole different ballgame.”

Despite the obvious disappointment at ending her high school field hockey career with a loss in the title game, L’Heureux praised her opponents. “They (Skowhegan) definitely had the experience (in championship games),” she said. “They had very nice drives, they had their sticks down, they were down really low and they weren’t popping the ball up. (But) we couldn’t keep the ball down and we couldn’t get it out of our defensive end almost the entire first half, it was very frustrating.”

Walker also had praise for the state champions. “They’ve (Skowhegan) got a good team, I’m not going to take anything away from them, they’ve got some really good players,” she said.

Despite the loss, Walker said she was proud of her Western Maine championship team and said one loss wouldn’t take away from what the team accomplished all year. “They had a fantastic season, they’re still number one in my heart,” Walker said. “We just didn’t win the last game.”

Sports Writer Carl Pepin contributed to this report

Based in Westbrook, Sports Editor Mike Higgins can be reached at 207-854-2577 or by e-mail at mhiggins@keepmecurrent.com.

Winning never gets old

After a 2-0 win over Sanford for the Class A field hockey championship, Skowhegan Coach Paula Doughty put her team's seventh consecutive title in perspective.

"You do it over and over and over and over but the kids that won the first of the seven, they're out of college and they're married with kids," Doughty said. "They're gone. But a lot of people don't take every team seriously because, oh, you do it all the time.

"I try to tell people, I remember when my goal used to be to get to a semifinal game. To get here year after year is just amazing."

***

Seven straight state championships is no easy feat, but Skowhegan is only halfway to the state record for consecutive championships – the Old Town boys swimming team won 14 straight Class B titles from 1985 to 1998.

The St. Dominic ice hockey team won 11 straight state titles from 1947 to 1957, while the Mt. Blue girls skiing team won 11 Class A titles from 1992 to 2002.

Skowhegan wins seventh straight field hockey title

By Rachel Lenzi
Portland Press Herald Staff Writer
November 05, 2007 06:58 PM

The Skowhegan field hockey team won its seventh straight Class A title Monday evening, defeating Sanford 2-0 at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Samantha Gifford and Melissa Hancock each scored goals in the first half for Skowhegan (17-1). Skowhegan allowed Sanford (17-1) just two shots on goal.

UMF rolls

Beavers win conference title, advance to NCAA tourney

By DAVID McLAUGHLIN
Correspondent

FARMINGTON -- The University of Maine at Farmington has dominated the North Atlantic Conference field hockey tournament since its inception in 2002. Sunday afternoon at Prescott Field, the Beavers added another piece to their legacy with a 3-1 win over Husson in the conference final.

It was the Beavers' fifth title in six years and second in a row.

Rebecca Roy of Skowhegan supplied plenty of fire power for the Beavers, collecting two goals, while teammate Kristin Chambers (tournament MVP) added a solo goal, all in the first half.

"Our offense was strong," Roy said. "I received good passes on both of my goals."

The No. 1 seed in the conference, UMF (13-5-0) will advance to the NCAA Division III tournament. Seeds will be announced today. No. 3 Husson finishes at 12-5-0 after reaching the conference finals for the first time.

Chambers jumpstarted the Beavers' offense, scoring 10 minutes into the game on a splendid three pass combination that began in the midfield off the stick of Ashley Wentworth, who sent a long ball through the middle of the Eagles defense to Elyse Cole breaking down the left side. Cole collected the ball on the run and hit a solid ball across the middle for Chambers and a wide-open net. Chambers' shot went into the right side of the goal for a 1-0 Beaver advantage.

Twenty minutes later the lead had improved to 3-0 after Roy put away two excellent feeds from her teammates. Chambers notched the assist on Roy's first goal, while Alyssa St. Pierre earned an assist on the second.

UMF's offense received plenty of support from the defense, where goalkeeper Kaeleigh Barker amassed 10 saves, including an impressive kick save on an Eagle penalty shot in the second half.

"We have been building for this for the whole season," Barker said. "We were one unit and came through with a Beaver win."

Defender Ashley Weeks earned praise from Barker after making a defensive save in the first half with the score knotted at 0-0. Husson's Krystal Doughty unleashed a shot headed for the left side of the goal when Weeks dove to the weak side to stop the ball with her stick before it crossed the line.

"Ashley made a great diving save," Barker said. "We had a really good team defensive effort but Ashley's save was big."

After grabbing a 3-0 lead in the first half, the Beavers fell back into a defensive mode with Weeks, Renee Trafton, Nicole Lyons and Erika Lucas helping Barker defend the goal.

Husson fashioned an 8-4 advantage in shots in the second half but failed to penetrate UMF's defense until late in the game when Doughty scored with 3:09 remaining in the game.

Rain means state finals to wait

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

The rumor is that the 2007 state field hockey games will be played eventually. But you can forgive people for having their doubts.

After postponing the games for one week because of rain, the Maine Principals' Association has rescheduled the games again. Instead of today, the games will be played Monday and Tuesday.

The MPA announced the decision in a press release Friday afternoon. All state championship soccer games scheduled for today have also been postponed.

The Class A field hockey game, matching Skowhegan and Sanford, will be played at 5 p.m. Monday. The Class B game, between Maranacook and Waterville, will follow at 7.

The Class C game between Foxcroft and Telstar will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

All state championship field hockey games will be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

For Classes A, B and C, the boys state championship soccer games will be played at 6 p.m. Monday and the girls games will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday. All games will be at the originally scheduled sites. The MPA has not yet made a decision on the Class D games, both of which match Richmond against Ashland.

The Waterville girls soccer team will play Gorham for the Class A title at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Windham High School. The Class B girls game between Winslow and York will also be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lewiston High School.

According to the MPA's press release, the games were postponed "due to the impending weather conditions for Saturday and in consideration for the safety of the athletes."

The Web site weather.com is predicting rain with winds of more than 40 mph in the Portland area today.

The decision is a fortunate one for Waterville fans. School officials had been hoping to change the soccer game time so fans could see both the field hockey and soccer teams play for state championships. With the games now on different days, fans can see both without conflict.

"We have a big following at the school," Waterville athletic director Doug Frame said. "We had a lot of staff and the administration split up with both games (Saturday), and now obviously they'll be able to see both. So I think it will make for a better situation."

Due to daylight-saving time, all games will be played in the dark and under the lights. The Maranacook-Waterville game at 7 p.m. Monday will likely be played in especially cold weather for field hockey.

"Playing on turf, it won't be so bad," Maranacook coach Julie Schmidt said. "They're going to be so pumped up to play under the lights with all the fans, so they'll have enough adrenaline to keep them going."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Skowhegan's defense pretty close to perfect

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

Mt. Blue's Marissa Allen scored on Sept. 6. Ebony Mills of Oxford Hills had a goal three weeks later. Gardiner's Kristyn Seymour scored last Wednesday.

That's it.

In 17 games, those are the only three goals allowed by the Skowhegan field hockey team, which will try for its seventh straight Class A state championship at 10 a.m., Saturday against Sanford at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. That's one goal every 340 minutes. In contrast, the Indians have scored 72 goals.

"We just kept trying to push them and they just stepped up to everything that we've challenged with them," said Fawn Haynie, a former standout goalie for the Indians who now coaches the team's goalies. "I think a lot of times the work and the hours of practice go unnoticed."

During this century, 18-0 has been a great year for Skowhegan and 17-1 has been an off year. This fall was supposed to be a genuine off year for the Indians, as Skowhegan returned just four starters.

"We all knew it was probably going to be a rebuilding year," said Kylie Damon, a junior center back who is already being recruited by Division I colleges. "But we had a strong sophomore class. I thought we were going to be just fine."

Senior sweeper Melissa Hancock, who will play at Sacred Heart University next fall, is an anchor for the Indians and helps tilt the field with her long drives, but several other key players have much less experience. Back Makayla Hancock is a sophomore, as are both goalies, Megan Hancock and Sam Gray.

"I had both of them last year as freshmen," Haynie said. "There was a lot of instruction last year and this year was a year we could continue to build on their knowledge. They're both very athletic. They're both willing to do anything they possibly can for the team."

Of course, Skowhegan's offense and midfield have controlled the play so the Indians' defense is not constantly pounded by opposing offenses. But when other teams get opportunities, Skowhegan steps up. Coach Paula Doughty says Morgan Hisler and Makayla Hancock have surpassed all of her expectations and are two of the most consistent players on the team, and senior Katye Milligan, in her first year on the varsity, has played a key role in reserve.

"We communicate a lot," Hisler said. "We trust our teammates. We know that if maybe the ball gets by, another player will be there."

One last aspect that should not be overlooked is that goal by Allen. It gave Mt. Blue a 1-0 victory, and snapped a 33-game winning streak for the Indians. Since then, Skowhegan has won 15 straight, outscoring the opposition 68-2 in the process.

"I think it really had an effect on us, because it opened our eyes to see what a loss would be like," Hisler said. "We didn't like that feeling, and we worked as hard as we could so we wouldn't have to feel it again."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Sports postponements

The field hockey state championships and regional soccer championship games scheduled for Saturday have been postponed.

The Class B Eastern Maine boys soccer meeting between Ellsworth and Winslow has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. on Monday at Kennebec Savings Bank Field in Winslow.

The Class A State Field Hockey Championship between Skowhegan and Sanford and the Class B championship between Waterville and Maranacook have been postponed. The games will be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland on Saturday, Nov. 3. with Class A at 10 a.m., Class B at 2 p.m. and Class C at noon.

The Class A Eastern Maine girls soccer championship between Mt. Ararat and Waterville, and the Class B championship between Winslow and John Bapst have been postponed to Monday.

As of 10 a.m., all football and the state cross country championships at Leavitt Area High School in Turner remain as scheduled.

Finals feature old foes

By Matt DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

Usually at this time of year, a field hockey state championship game means preparing for the unknown. Coaches get what information they can, but invariably revert to focusing on making sure their team plays its game.

But two of today´s state finals are a different story.

Skowhegan and Sanford, who will play in the Class A game at 10 a.m., met in preseason. Maranacook and Waterville, the opponents in the Class B game at 2 p.m., are in the same conference and played each other twice in the regular season.

Both games will be played at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. The Class C game will match Foxcroft and Telstar at noon. Foxcroft is in its first season in Class C after previously competing in Class B.

Rain is expected for today in the Portland area, but Larry LaBrie, an assistant executive director with the Maine Principals´ Association, said the MPA chose Fitzpatrick Stadium as the site because the turf field can handle the rain.

"Unless it´s thunder and lightning or torrential downpour like it was last year, it won´t be moved (to another day)," LaBrie said.

Five of the teams playing today were No. 1 seeds in their brackets. The exception is Waterville (12-5), the No. 4 seed in Eastern B, which knocked off the Nos. 1, 3 and 5 seeds in the tournament.

The Purple Panthers face a Maranacook team that is 15-2 and defeated Waterville by scores of 2-0 early in the season and 3-2 more recently.

Maranacook controlled the flow for the majority of both games and outshot the Panthers 27-10 in the second meeting, which was a 3-1 game until Waterville scored with six seconds left.

Still, there are many reasons to think this game will be more competitive. One is that Waterville junior Danielle Fossa missed the second game with an injury. Waterville also had a penalty stroke stopped in each game.

Also, the Panthers have quite possibly played their best field hockey during their last four games.

"They know (Waterville´s) there for a reason," Maranacook coach Julie Schmidt said. "I think no matter who it is, my girls are going to play hard. They´re not going to take anyone lightly. This team has more desire than any team I´ve (had), as a collective whole."

The turf at Fitzpatrick Stadium should make this matchup especially fun to watch, as both teams have fine speed and can pass well.

Schmidt said the Black Bears will get a chance to practice on the turf, and that her players have some experience with the surface in the offseason.

Skowhegan (16-1), which won the Eastern A title, has made an annual habit of playing at Fitzpatrick.

The Indians will be gunning for their seventh consecutive state title. No other team in Maine has ever won more than four in a row.

Sanford (17-0) is making its first state title appearance since losing to Skowhegan 3-0 in 2001. The Redskins are the last team to win a state title other than Skowhegan, winning in 1999 and 2000.

Skowhegan has outscored its opponents 72-3 this season and, while coach Paula Doughty had questions about the defense before the season, she can´t quibble with the results so far.

"I think (assistant coaches) Tammy Veinotte and Fawn Haynie have done a phenomenal job with this defense," Doughty said. "I think this is one of the best defenses we´ve ever had."

Doughty was impressed by Sanford´s skill and passing in preseason, and said she expects "a really close game." Skowhegan´s goal differential is plus-69, which is a good sign a team hasn´t played too many close games, but Doughty doesn´t see that as a problem.

"I think the competition in central Maine is really good," she said. "I say this every year, but to me, the hardest part is getting there. You play to win, you hope to win, but you´re there."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Indians keep on winning

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty wanted to use senior sweeper Melissa Hancock on penalty corners in Wednesday afternoon's Eastern A field hockey final. But Doughty had one condition.

"She loves to diddle with it, play with it," Doughty said. "I told her, 'I'll leave you there, as long as you shoot. When you start diddling around and doing your little passes and being fancy, you're going back.' "

When Hancock got the chance on Wednesday, she delivered. Hancock scored two goals off penalty corners in the first 71/2 minutes, and Sam Gifford added two late goals as Skowhegan won its seventh straight regional title with a 4-1 win.

The Indians (16-1), who have won the last six Class A state championships, move on to the state championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. This run was not quite the foregone conclusion of some Skowhegan teams, as the Indians returned only four starters from last year's team.

"We're all very dedicated, and we get along great," Gifford said. "It makes it easy, when we all get along good, to work hard together."

The final score is more than a little misleading, as the game was in serious doubt until Gifford scored her first goal with 9 minutes, 13 seconds to play. The Indians had edges of just 13-11 on shots and 8-7 on penalty corners.

Skowhegan scored an amazing four goals on those eight corners, and that was what won the game for the Indians. Just 4:15 into the game, Hancock let loose on a corner shot and nailed a drive inside the left post. Just 2:15 later, she did the same thing on another corner to make it 2-0 Indians.

"Actually, our corners haven't been really going that great lately, so I kind of got reamed out in practice a couple times," Hancock said. "I figured I'd better put some in."

With 521/2 minutes still to play, Gardiner set about attacking a defense that had allowed only two goals all season. The Tigers knocked on the door for several minutes, finally breaking through when Kristyn Seymour pushed one over the line after a long scramble with 5:38 left in the half.

"I think any team could have folded against Skowhegan, but I was real proud of the way the kids came back," Gardiner coach Moe McNally said. "We were right in that ballgame."

Doughty thought that Seymour's goal was the turning point because it served as a wake-up call for the Indians. After the break, Skowhegan outshot the Tigers 8-1. While Gardiner had numerous opportunities between midfield and Skowhegan's 25-yard line, the Tigers couldn't push through and put enough pressure on the Indians inside the circle.

Gifford made it 3-1 when she set up on the left post and deflected in a goal despite being well-covered on the play.

With 2:11 left, Gifford turned her stick the right away again and redirected a shot by Kylie Damon.

The game marked the fourth time in the last five years that Gardiner has lost to Skowhegan in the regional final. In some of those years, the Tigers were probably the second-best team in the state, and that could very well turn out to be the case again this season.

"This whole team set a goal at the end of last season that they were going to some things in the offseason to get here," McNally said. "Every single one of them came through. You set that goal, but you can't take away from where they've been and what they've done.

"This is a tremendous season -- one of the best seasons I've ever had with Gardiner field hockey."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Indians roll to regional final

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- Whether the goals come early, late or both, the Skowhegan field hockey team has faith they will come at some point. They've now come 68 times this season in 16 games.

On Saturday afternoon against Oxford Hills, the Indians struck for two goals before the midpoint of the first half, then knocked in two more goals after the intermission for a 4-0 victory in an Eastern A semifinal.

"We've had a few games where we've scored late, so I was pretty confident that we'd be able to score and pull it out," said Skowhegan senior Caitlyn Lancaster, who had a goal in each half.

"We weren't really worried about scoring, mostly about defense and keeping it zero against."

By "keeping it zero against" the Indians posted their 14th shutout in 16 games, and they blanked one of the two teams to score on them during the regular season. Skowhegan (15-1), which has won the last six Class A state titles, will play the winner of Monday's Cony-Gardiner game in Wednesday's regional final.

Oxford Hills (10-5-1) has a standout goalie in junior Aleksys Pike, and she had an amazing game last year in the playoffs against Skowhegan. This year, although Pike dove around and made 14 saves, the Indians got to her early when Sam Gifford scored 4 minutes, 10 seconds into the half.

Skowhegan made it 2-0 with 16:58 left in the half. Pike made a save from the seat of her pants and kept shuffling backward so she wouldn't be called for trapping the ball and give Skowhegan a penalty stroke. But when the Indians got the ball free, Lancaster drilled in a straight-on blast.

"They were quicker and faster to the ball," Oxford Hills coach Cindy Goddard said. "We've accomplished a lot, (but) they looked a little more skilled than we did today."

Erin Sevey added the capper with 14:35 left. Moving left to right across the middle of the circle, Sevey sent in a shot for the final 4-0 score.

NH FIELD HOCKEY EASES PAST FAIRFIELD, 2-0

DURHAM, N.H. – Brooke Bercari (Bordentown, N.J.) recorded a goal and an assist and Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Maine) made five saves for her second consecutive shutout in the University of New Hampshire field hockey team’s 2-0 America East victory Saturday afternoon against Fairfield University at Memorial Field.

UNH improved to 9-8 overall and 2-2 in America East, and with the victory, the Wildcats secured a berth in the upcoming America East postseason tournament. Fairfield, a newcomer to the conference this season, is 3-15 overall and 0-4 in league play.

New Hampshire controlled play from the initial whistle and generated the first of its 16 penalty corners just 1:02 into the game. Bercari blasted a shot that caromed off the top of goalkeeper Elizabeth Thomas’ stacked leg pads. The Wildcats generated two more corners in the next three minutes and, on the latter one, a shot by Megan Shea (Melrose, Mass.) eluded Thomas but was blocked by Katherine Donovan in the goalmouth. The play resulted in a Wildcats’ penalty stroke in which Cally Cooke (Newburyport, Mass.) was denied when Thomas lunged to make a left leg-pad save.

The Stags eventually alleviated pressure from its end and generated a quick counterattack off a turnover in which Carly McCullough was alone in the middle of the circle and took aim at the left post. Shute made a sliding arm-pad save, however, to keep the game scoreless.

UNH finally converted its pressure into a goal and a 1-0 lead at 17:45. Sarah Craigue (Concord, N.H.) made the initial push off the penalty corner to stopper Shauna Sellenger (Londonderry, N.H.) at the top of the circle. Sellenger swung the ball to the top left, where Johanna Stemmler (Leimen, Germany) then executed a crossing pass to Kara Napolitano (Waltham, Mass.). She then settled the ball for Bercari, who fired a low shot through traffic into the cage.

The Wildcats struck again less than five minutes later to extend its advantage to 2-0 at 22:29. On what seemed like an innocuous play, Bercari’s long hit into the circle was redirected by Sellenger and the ball bounded into the cage.

UNH held a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard, as well as a 9-2 shot advantage and an 8-3 edge in penalty corners, at the half.

The ‘Cats continued to control possession early in the second half, but Thomas also continued her strong play in goal to keep the Stags within two goals as she denied Shea deep on the right side and then charged to the top of the circle to thwart a quick transition opportunity by Sellenger.

Fairfield created a 2-on-1 rush with 22 minutes remaining as Brittany Bates charged down the right side but was turned away by Shute.

The Stags called time out at 52:06, then moments later a penalty corner generated a dangerous bid by McCullough that was stopped near the left post. The visitors maintained pressure and soon thereafter a redirection by Jill Piacquadio off a long hit required Shute to make a right arm-pad save.

UNH regained control of the game but could not extend its two-goal lead.

Thomas finished the game with eight saves for Fairfield, which tallied totals of six shots and five penalty corners.

New Hampshire returns to action Oct. 21 at home for Senior Day against 12th-ranked Boston College. Game time at Memorial Field is 3 p.m. The Wildcats’ six-member senior class will be honored preceding the game.

High school roundup: Indians top 'Dogs to start title defense

SKOWHEGAN -- The Skowhegan Area High School field hockey team, which is gunning for its seventh consecutive state title, began the Eastern A playoffs with a 2-0 victory against Lawrence High School Wednesday afternoon.

After a scoreless first half, top-seeded Skowhegan (14-1-0) got on the board when Kylie Damon deflected in a shot by Sam Gifford. The Indians' second goal came when Gifford was set up by Erin Sevey.

Skowhegan outshot the ninth-seeded Bulldogs 30-4 and had an advantage of 19-4 in penalty corners. The Indians had several shots go wide by less than a foot.

Megan Hancock made four saves for Skowhegan, which will host No. 5 Oxford Hills on Saturday. Jordan Carter had 10 stops for Lawrence (7-9-0).

FIELD HOCKEY: Semifinal playoff previews

EASTERN A

No. 4 Oxford Hills (10-4-1) at No. 1 Skowhegan (14-1): This is a rematch of last year's Eastern A final, when no one gave Oxford Hills a chance and the Vikings hung around all game because of goalie Aleksys Pike. Pike is back this year, but the Vikings graduated a lot. Still, they are one of only two teams to score on Skowhegan this year (Mt. Blue is the other), and they retain their curious ability to win games despite getting outshot by wide margins. Skowhegan won the regular season meeting 2-1 down in South Paris, and after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Lawrence, the Indians have now outscored their opponents 64-2 this season. While the Indians are young in some spots, senior Sam Gifford has scored 23 goals (the school single-season record is 32), senior Caitlyn Lancaster is a two-way standout in the middle, and senior Melissa Hancock is one of the best sweepers in the state.

FIELD HOCKEY: Playoff preview, part 2

EASTERN A

No. 8 Lawrence (7-8) at No. 1 Skowhegan (13-1): This is the third time in the last four years that the Bulldogs have drawn the No. 8 seed and had to face Skowhegan in the quarterfinals. Lawrence is young, but probably a year or two away from being able to win this kind of game. Skowhegan is young too, but although the Indians have their weaknesses, they have outscored their opponents 62-2 on the season and are riding a streak of four straight shutouts. In fact, Skowhegan has allowed just one goal in its last 770 minutes of field hockey. That's a daunting stat for any opponent to face, but the Indians do have some young players who are not playoff-tested. Plus, in the regular season meeting, the game was tied at halftime before Skowhegan went on to a 4-0 victory. That was one of several games the Indians came out somewhat flat and turned it on after the halftime break, so Skowhegan will look for a fast start in this game.

UNH FIELD HOCKEY SHUTS DOWN DAVIDSON IN 3-0 WIN

HANOVER, N.H. – In a battle of Wildcats, Shauna Sellenger (Londonderry, N.H.) recorded a goal and an assist to propel the University of New Hampshire field hockey team to Tuesday afternoon’s 3-0 non-conference victory against Davidson College in a neutral-site game at Dartmouth College’s Scully-Fahey Field.

UNH, which recorded a 15-3 shot advantage as well as a 12-3 edge in penalty corners, leveled its record at 8-8 with the victory while Davidson fell to 8-7.

UNH goalkeeper Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Maine) was credited with one save to record her fourth shutout of the season. Davidson goalie Christa Goeke made 10 saves, including seven in the second half.

Sellenger, who now leads the team in both assists (seven) and points (15) and is tied for the team lead with four goals, opened the game scoring at 12:44 on a shot from the middle of the circle. Megan Shea (Melrose, Mass.), with the entry pass from the top-left of the circle, set up the tally.

New Hampshire extended its lead to 2-0 off pressure on a penalty corner at 32:20. Cally Cooke (Newburyport, Mass.) initiated the sequence with the push to Sellenger at the top of the circle. The ball was worked down low, where it deflected off the stick of Brooke Bercari (Bordentown, N.J.) to Kara Napolitano (Waltham, Mass.), who scored near the left post.

At the half, UNH held a 2-0 lead as well as a 6-0 edge in both shots and corners as the defensive unit of Cooke, Napolitano, Sam Geary (Norwood, Mass.) and Kiera Williams (Dover, N.H.) effectively kept Davidson out of the circle. Shute also thwarted Misty Stallings and Kayli Maxwell on quick transition counterattacks by charging to the top of the circle and poke-checking the ball away.

The Blue and White Wildcats of UNH continued to control play early in the second half and they generated three consecutive penalty corners. Sellenger was denied from the top of the circle on the initial corner, then Geary’s shot from the top-left side was turned away by Goeke’s right leg pad and finally Napolitano was denied at the right doorstep.

Davidson recorded its first corner of the game with 8:30 elapsed in the second half, and Britti Himelfarb tallied the first shot as her low blast from the top-right of the circle was turned aside by Shute’s left leg pad. DC was awarded a second corner, and Jen Willis’ shot from the left side bounded wide of the near post.

UNH closed the scoring at 67:12 on another penalty corner. Cooke once again made the push and Sellenger also made the stop. She then rolled the ball to the top left, where Geary swept a low shot inside the right post.

New Hampshire returns to action at home Oct. 20 (1 p.m.) against America East newcomer Fairfield University. The Wildcats then have Senior Day on Oct. 21 (3 p.m.) against 12th-ranked Boston College.

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES: Farley a versatile star at Babson

If you follow field hockey at all, you can appreciate how difficult it is to be a factor at both ends of the field like Skowhegan grad Michele Farley has been for Babson College this season.

Farley, a junior, leads Babson with two defensive saves. That's no surprise, as she has 10 in her career as a four-year starter in the backfield.

But after scoring two goals in her first 77 collegiate games, Farley has six goals in her last five. Those six goals are just one off of the team lead.

Farley also has four assists, which is a team high. She has converted both of her penalty strokes to lead Babson in that category as well.

After beginning the season by losing four straight, Babson used a seven-game winning streak to carry an 8-6 record into this weekend. Farley was named New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Player of the Week for last week.

Farley Earns First-Ever NEWMAC Player of the Week Award

Senior back recognized after the best week of her collegiate career.

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Coming off the best week of her collegiate career, Babson senior tri-captain Michele Farley (Skowhegan, Maine/Skowhegan) has been named the NEWMAC Field Hockey Player of the Week.

The team's top defender, Farley erupted for five goals and one assist in three games from the center back position. She assisted Babson's first goal in a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Wheaton on Tuesday, and then added two goals in a 5-1 drubbing of Mount Holyoke on Saturday. The Beavers' tri-captain finished the week with her first career hat trick, as she scored three times in a 5-0 victory over Kenyon on Sunday.

With Farley leading the way, Babson has dominated its opposition over the last three weeks. After beginning the season with just one win in their first five contests, the Beavers have won seven straight games to improve to 8-5, including a perfect 4-0 mark in the NEWMAC.

Farley Hat Trick Fuels Field Hockey's 5-0 Romp Of Kenyon

Senior tri-captain caps brilliant week with career-high three goals.

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Senior tri-captain Michele Farley (Skowhegan, Maine) capped off a magnificent week with her first career hat trick as the Babson College field hockey team blanked visiting Kenyon College, 5-0, at MacDowell Field on Sunday morning. The Beavers, who have now won seven straight and eight of their last nine, improved to 8-5 with the victory. Kenyon fell to 6-7 with the loss.

Coming off a two-goal performance against Mount Holyoke on Saturday, Farley gave Babson a 1-0 lead with her fourth goal of the year on a penalty stroke at the 27-minute mark. She then struck again on a penalty corner at the end of the half, as she converted a feed from junior Nicole Cemelli (Towaco, N.J.) after time had expired.

The Beavers continued to dominate offensively in the second frame, as sophomore Jessica Paladino (Turner, Maine) scored her sixth of the year off an assist from first-year Sarah Fredlund (New Preston, Conn.) just over four minutes into the period. Senior tri-captian Annie Pease (Waterville, Maine) later added her third of the season off a penalty corner feed from first-year Colleen Kelly (Milton, Mass.) at 40:55, and Farley capped off the 5-0 rout with her third of the day and sixth of the year from Cemelli on a corner at 59:58. It was the first collegiate hat trick for the Beavers' center back, who posted five goals and one assist for 11 points in three wins this week.

Sophomore Emily Cohen (West Grove, Pa.) stopped both shots that she faced in net for Babson, while junior Karen Thompson (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) finished with nine saves in goal for Kenyon.

Defense carries Indians to big win

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

GARDINER -- As regular-season games go, it was about as important as it gets: Skowhegan vs. Gardiner, with the winner getting a clear path to home-field advantage throughout the Eastern A field hockey playoffs.

Skowhegan´s defense held off the Tigers, and senior Lorri Hiltz scored the game-winner just 26 seconds into the second half as the Indians earned a 1-0 victory.

"Everyone had nerves, both teams, I think," Hiltz said. "We all just wanted it, and it happened to be me, I guess."

The action went back and forth throughout the game without either team establishing clear control. Skowhegan outshot the Tigers, 11-10, but Gardiner had a 12-6 advantage in penalty corners.

What kept Gardiner´s powerful offense out of the cage was an Indians defense led by sweeper Melissa Hancock. While Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty prefers her team to pass rather than drive the ball, Hancock´s long drives consistently helped the Indians gain better field position.

"I thought Melissa Hancock played the game of her life," said Doughty, whose team finishes the regular season at 13-1-0. "She really played a huge leadership role back down there today. She had so many defensive moves that bailed us out."

Still, the game was scoreless at halftime, and Doughty was a little distressed at how Skowhegan was playing.

"I don´t think that we played with the intensity that I wanted them to the first half," Doughty said.

"I think they were just sort of feeling them out the first half. Gardiner is an awesome team. You cannot feel out Gardiner."

The Indians had control of the ball to start the second half, and charged down into the circle. Hiltz got the ball from Sam Gifford about 10 feet from the cage on the left side, and blasted a shot into the right corner for the game´s only goal.

Gardiner (12-1) righted itself with the help of a nice play by Victoria Lovley to break up a potential breakaway by Gifford. In a five-minute stretch late in the game, the Tigers had six penalty corners. But their best chance was slapped away when Skowhegan back Kylie Damon came up with the deflection after Lovley´s shot got past the goalie.

Tigers coach Moe McNally said some adjustments and better finishing on opportunities would be a big boost to Gardiner should the teams meet in the postseason. McNally was more upset with the officiating, but didn´t use that as an excuse.

"You can´t blame a loss like this on officiating. This was a real tough ballgame, and they scored, and we didn´t," McNally said.

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Indians pull away in 2nd half

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- Coach Paula Doughty didn't talk about missed opportunities with her Skowhegan field hockey team, which held a one-goal lead despite taking 17 first-half shots. Instead, she reminded the Indians to do what they were supposed to be doing.

"At times we weren't positioning ourselves where we should be," Doughty said. "That's what we talked the most about. And talking. I didn't think we talked enough in the first half. I really focused on getting back to the basics."

After Doughty's speech, Skowhegan came out roaring in the second half. The Indians scored three goals in a span of about 5 1/2 minutes to defeat Messalonskee, 4-0, on Tuesday afternoon.

Skowhegan (11-1) has been on a tear since an early-season loss to Mt. Blue. The Indians have since won 10 straight, outscoring their opponents, 49-1. Against the Eagles, Skowhegan had big advantages in shots (37-2) and penalty corners (16-4).

And yet the game could have gone either way at the start of the second half. Skowhegan led 1-0 on a goal by Erin Sevey in the opening minutes.

Skowhegan took control after a defensive save by Messalonskee's Miranda Tinsman. The Indians got another opportunity immediately after the save and it resulted in a penalty stroke for leading scorer Sam Gifford.

Gifford's stroke was perfect, a high shot to the left side with 24:19 left in the game, and Skowhegan led 2-0. Just 1:06 later, it was 3-0 when Morgan Hisler drilled a rebound into the far corner.

Messalonskee responded to Hisler's goal with its first penalty corner of the game, but couldn't punch in a goal.

With 18:54 left, Gifford got her second goal on a far-corner shot to make it 4-0, and the Indians coasted from there.

The Eagles are now 6-5, but before Tuesday their four losses were by a total of five goals.

Messalonskee's last chance to get a big Heal-point worthy win is Thursday against 9-1-1 Mt. Blue.

"I think it's really important to my kids to realize how good (our kids) really are," Messalonskee coach Heather Merrill said. "Where they're young, their confidence isn't where I'd like them to be. I thought we gave Gardiner a real run for their money. I thought we gave Cony a real run for their money. We only played half the game here. The second half we kind of didn't, for some reason. So Thursday's going to be really important to us."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

SKOWHEGAN 7, BRUNSWICK 0: Sam Gifford had four goals in the second half as the Indians broke open a 1-0 game and cruised to a KVAC A win in Skowhegan.

Melissa Hancock scored on a penalty stroke to give Skowhegan (7-1-0) a 1-0 lead in the first half. Erin Sevey and Becky Pratt each added a goal and an assist in the second half for the Indians. Morgan Lambert had two assists and Caitlyn Lancaster one.

Heather Durkee had 19 saves in the loss for Brunswick (2-5-0).

Gifford's 5 goals lift Indians

AUBURN -- Sam Gifford scored five goals as Skowhegan rolled to a 7-0 victory against Edward Little in Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A field hockey action Tuesday afternoon.
Skowhegan also got goals from Mallory Hancock (two assists) and Becky Pratt. The Indians finished with 30 shots on goal, forcing goalkeeper Kayla Cummings to make 20 saves.

Megan Hancock made two saves and Sam Gray one for Skowhegan (6-1-0). EL, which was ranked first in Eastern A in the Heal points released Tuesday, is 3-3-1.

Skowhegan scores in bunches, grabs win

HAMPDEN -- Skowhegan scored five times in each half to cruise by Hampden Academy 10-0 on Saturday.

Kylie Damon, Sam Gifford, Mallory Hancock and Erin Sevey each had a pair of goals for the Indians (5-1). Melissa Hancock and Lorri Hiltz each added a goal and an assist. Mallory Hancock and Caitlyn Lancaster each bagged three assists, and Gifford chipped in with two.

The Indians outshot Hampden, 28-0. Dylan Hotham and Mel parker combined for six saves for the Broncos (0-3-1).

Veinotte Named America East Rookie of the Week

Scored Goal and Added An Assist in Maine's 3-1 Win

ORONO, Maine-- University of Maine field hockey freshman midfielder Courtney Veinotte (Canaan, Maine/Skowhegan) was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Monday. Veinotte scored a goal and added an assist on the week for the Black Bears.

Veinotte assisted on Maine's second goal in a 3-1 win over Northwestern on Saturday afternoon. She scored the third goal of the game for the Black Bears. Veinotte leads Maine in scoring with two goals and one assist for five points on the season.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, September 15 when it travels to Brown for a 12 noon game.

Indians bounce back, top Rams

By MATT DiFILIPPO
Staff Writer

SKOWHEGAN -- During its run of six consecutive Class A state field hockey championships, Skowhegan has become the victim of expectations: Sometimes a close win isn't good enough, because people expect domination.

Saturday morning was one of those times when just winning was good enough for the Indians. Coming off an upset loss to Mt. Blue -- its first after 33 straight victories -- Skowhegan responded not with a lightning bolt, but simply a solid performance in a 2-0 win over Cony.

"They took a lot of abuse at school (Friday)," Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty said of her players. "No high school team is going to go through the rest of history of field hockey in Maine and never lose a game. That's not realistic. The good part about sports is that kids have to learn to pick themselves up and keep going. That's the way life is."

Cony (3-1), which defeated Mt. Blue in its season opener, was a formidable opponent for the Indians. Junior forward Brittany Ford played brilliantly, and the Rams showcased a smart passing game which led to a 10-8 advantage in shots.

But Skowhegan (1-1) stiffened when Cony got close. Indians keeper Megan Hancock (seven saves) made a nice quick-reaction save to stuff Christina Wing in the first half, and when Kayla Belanger drove the ball by Hancock in the second half, Skowhegan's Kylie Damon was right there for the defensive save.

"I love playing these great games, and I'm really bummed we only get to see Skowhegan once," Cony coach Krista Chase said. "We learn so much, what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are, in games like this. I have a lot of young and inexperienced people on the field, so I hope that this gave them the confidence that they need, knowing that they can play with the best team in the state."

Skowhegan also got tripped up in the circle in the first half, but broke through when Mallory Hancock pushed in a shot just 2 minutes, 20 seconds into the second half.

"It was a relief," said Doughty, whose team had been shut out by Mt. Blue after hitting the post several times. "I think once that (goal) happened, they just relaxed and played."

The Indians added a second goal with 9:46 left, when a botched penalty corner play turned into a break for Skowhegan. The Indians flubbed the inbound hit, which went about two feet, but that left the Cony defense scrambling and out of position. Becky Pratt flipped a quick pass to Sam Gifford, who knocked it into the cage for the 2-0 final score.

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

UNH FIELD HOCKEY UPENDS UMASS, 1-0, IN OT

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Shauna Sellenger (Londonderry, N.H.) scored the game’s only goal at 4:55 of overtime to lead the University of New Hampshire field hockey team to Sunday afternoon’s 1-0 victory against the University of Massachusetts in second-day action of the Sheraton Field Hockey Classic at the University of Vermont’s Moulton Winder Field.

UNH, which recorded a 4-1 road victory against UMass last season, improved to 3-3 overall in 2007. The Minutewomen are also now 3-3.

“This was not a pretty game,” UNH head coach Robin Balducci said. “It was rainy and (Saturday) was a tough game against nationally-ranked Virginia. But in the second half we settled in and generated good scoring chances, then we played OT very well.

“This was a good finish to the weekend,” Balducci added. “We moved in a positive direction with the way we battled Virginia tough and finished to win against UMass.”

Sellenger’s second goal of the season, an unassisted tally off a 3-on-1 breakaway with Brooke Bercari (Bordentown, N.J.) and Sarah Craigue (Concord, N.H.), ended the game at 74:55. Bercari’s initial shot was stopped by UMass goakeeper Sarah Williams, but Sellenger scored off the rebound.

UNH goalie Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Maine) recorded her first shutout of the season and fourth of her career with a seven-save performance. She turned aside two shots in the extra session as well as five in the first half.

Williams was credited with five saves overall, including one in OT.

Shute, Bercari and Sam Geary (Norwood, Mass.) were UNH’s representatives on the All-Tournament Team.

The Minutewomen dominated the first half statistically with an 11-1 shot advantage as well as a 4-0 edge in penalty corners. Momentum swung to the other side in the second half, however, as New Hampshire tallied the advantage in both shots (5-1) and corners (1-0). Each team recorded two shots in the extra session.

The game marked the first decided in overtime this season for the ‘Cats, who were 1-3 last year in games decided beyond the 70 minutes of regulation.

Sellenger is tied for the team lead in goals and has already surpassed last year’s point total with a team-high eight this season.

New Hampshire returns to action next weekend for home games at Memorial Field against University of the Pacific (Sept. 15; 12 p.m.) and College of the Holy Cross (Sept. 16; 1 p.m.).

Skyhawks Improve To 6-0 With 4-0 Win

North Andover, Mass. - The Stonehill field hockey team continued its stellar play in all phases of the game, posting a decisive 4-0 win over host Merrimack on Saturday afternoon.

As they did in a win earlier in the week over Franklin Pierce, the Skyhawks got on the board early, this time with senior Aly Boulis (Lincoln, R.I.) providing the offense with help from sophomore Jackie Ladino (North Dartmouth, Mass.). Boulis and Ladino teamed up just 4:03 into the match, giving the Skyhawks a 1-0 lead.

Kerri Sullivan (Goffstown, N.H.) and Claire Hourihan (East Amherst, N.Y.) combined to give Stonehill a 2-0 advantage at the 22:30.

Freshman Courtney Osier (South Dennis, Mass.) made the first start of her career for the Skyhawks, only needing to make one save in her 70 minutes in between the pipes to secure the victory and the shutout. Meanwhile, her netminding counterpart, Amy Larrabee was under attack all contest long, as Stonehill fired 28 total shots, including 25 on goal, forcing the senior to make 21 saves. The Skyhawks also held an 11-2 advantage in penalty corners.

Freshman Lindsey Pinkham (Skowhegan, Maine) scored her first career goal late in the first half when she deflected a ball into the cage, upping the Skyhawk lead to 3-0. Ladino added the final score of the game minutes into the second half off a feed from senior Caitlin Gleason (Goffstown, N.H.), poking the ball in past Larrabee.

Stonehill, now 4-0 in NE-10 action, has outscored its Conference foes, 13-3, and have posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season, a feat they turned on three occasions in 2006.

The Skyhawks get back to action on Thursday night under the lights at W.B. Mason Stadium when it hosts Assumption in only its second home game so far this season.

Indians lose for 1st time since '05

Allen scores as Mt. Blue puts end to Skowhegan's 33-game win streak

SKOWHEGAN -- The Skowhegan field hockey team saw its 33-game win streak come to an end with a stunning 1-0 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A loss to Mt. Blue High School on Thursday.

Marissa Allen scored for the Cougars just under 10 minutes into the game. Mt. Blue (2-1) survived some anxious moments, as Skowhegan hit the post twice in each half and had two penalty corners in the game's final minute. Amanda Deschenes made 24 saves overall for Mt. Blue.

"She played very well, and she wasn't alone," Mt. Blue coach Jeannine Paradis said. "My fullbacks and sweeper played tremendous defense today as well. It was definitely a team effort."

Paradis added that Thursday's game was the first time Mt. Blue scored against Skowhegan (1-1) in her five years coaching the Cougars. The Indians have won the last six Class A state championships.

"Tomorrow, we'll just do band-aid. The mistakes we made today, we'll just work on tomorrow," Skowhegan coach Paula Doughty said. "That's what we always do. I have a feeling on Saturday, we'll come out a lot stronger."

Skowhegan's last loss was Sept. 13, 2005 against Gardiner.

Field Hockey Falls to Syracuse in Overtime

HANOVER, N.H.-- The University of Maine field hockey team jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but undefeated Syracuse scored four unanswered goals, including the game-winner in overtime to defeat Maine 4-3 on Saturday afternoon in Hanover, N.H. Maine got goals from Amy Zdrojesky (East Greenville, Pa.), Nicole Emery (Winthrop, Maine) and Courtney Veinotte (Canaan, Maine) in the contest.

Maine opened the scoring when Zdrojesky scored off a penalty corner at 18:17. Erin Reusch (Salem, N.H.) and Emery each assisted on the goal. The Black Bears added to their lead less than five minutes later when Emery scored an unassisted goal at 22:59.

The Black Bears took a 3-0 lead just 35 seconds into the second half. Zdrojesky had a shot that was tipped in by Maine rookie Courtney Veinotte.

Syracuse got on the board less than two minutes later when Gloria Nantulya scored an unassisted tally. Maggie Befort pulled Syracuse to within one goal when she scored on a penalty stroke at 52:59. Syracuse knotted the score when Leigh Fawcett scored an unassisted goal with less than 10 minutes to play in the game.

Fawcett scored the game-winner at 81:05 from Heather Doran and Befort.

Rebecca Giroux> (Augusta, Maine) made seven saves in goal for the Black Bears and falls to 0-2 on the season. Heather Hess and Christina Puggi split time in goal for Syracuse. Hess made five saves and allowed two goals in the first half, while Puggi made two saves and allowed one goal during the second half and overtime.

Maine, 0-4 on the season, returns to action on Saturday, September 8 when it hosts Northwestern at 12 noon in the home-opener.

-U-M-

Wheaton College 2007 season preview

NORTON, MA- When the Wheaton College field hockey team met for the first time this fall, its goals for the season were written out on a classroom chalkboard. Atop the heap of team-related objectives were winning the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament, but eighth-year head coach Rebecca Begley said the larger achievements will be met by first reaching smaller goals.

"We talk a lot about doing tangible things, like holding teams to fewer penalty corners or a certain number of shots," said Begley. "If we do those, then we will probably win. We have to map out the route to winning. The players want to be better than last year, have a better record than last year, to really build on last year's success."

Last season was rife with success, as the Lyons set a school record for wins by going 15-8, including 5-3 in the NEWMAC, and reached their first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament title game. Advancing to the league semifinals for the first time since 1997 and placing third in the regular season conference standings, the Blue and White shattered a program mark by scoring 59 goals.

"We're still looking to score a lot of goals," said Begley, who admitted to being more defensive-minded due to playing in the backfield as a collegian. "We want to be defensive in the entire field and control the game. It's not just about winning; it's about winning as a result of achieving your individual and team goals. As a team, the players want to click and play well."

Begley welcomes back former Babson College head coach Laurie Magoon for her second season as an assistant, while 2005 Trinity College graduate Patricia Glennon joins the staff in her first college coaching position.

Wheaton's crop of 18 players is split evenly between returners and newcomers, as four seniors will be charged with leading a group that includes eight freshmen. "The seniors are all on board, mentally and priority wise," said Begley of a group that battled through a 5-11 season during its freshman year. "They lead by example. Preseason was so easy from a coaching perspective because I didn't have to remind them of anything, they just did it."

Senior co-captain Sara Dimick (Cumberland, ME/Greely) is invariably a focal point of the discussions about the explosive offense Wheaton maintained in 2006, as she set school records with 47 points and 11 assists while finishing three goals shy of the program mark with 18. A National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-America selection last season, Dimick has earned NFHCA All-New England and NEWMAC All-Conference honors each of the past two falls. As the second-leading career point scorer in program history, she will be back on the forward line this season.

Senior Kim Anson (Washington, CT/Shepaug Valley) has also been chosen to serve as a captain in 2007, as the unheralded backfield anchor has appeared in all of her team's 59 games over the past three seasons. She is the most veteran of Wheaton's defenders and will command a group that includes a handful of sophomores and freshmen in front of a green goalkeeping corps.

Last fall, senior Lyndsie Ryalls (Branford, CT/Branford) drew an All-New England citation and her second all-conference honor after contributing six goals and six assists. Ryalls will appear in the midfield but could also see time at forward, as she ranks third in program history in career points. Classmate Ashley Miller (East Bridgewater, MA/East Bridgewater) provides a versatile presence, having appeared as a midfielder and back during her first three seasons. As a senior, Miller will make the transition to forward but could also play in the midfield.

Eleven additional field players dot the Wheaton roster, with junior Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) the most experienced among them. The forward speedster dished out 10 assists last season, which eclipsed the old school record, while netting five goals of her own. Ardito drew All-New England and all-conference accolades along the way.

Sophomore Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) was third on the squad with seven goals last year and is slated to appear in the midfield this season. Classmates Cassie Abel (Windham, NH/Salem) and Andria Laroche (Skowhegan, ME/Skowhegan Area) drew ample playing time in the backfield right away as freshmen, missing one game between them. The duo will join Anson as starters.

The seven field athletes among the Class of 2011 provide versatility, and some will immediately play. Julia Atwood (Concord, MA/Brooks School) and Haley Chrisos (Beverly, MA/Bishop Fenwick) should see action right away on the forward line, while Margaux Bolte (Belmont, MA/Belmont) could find playing time at all three field positions. Ashley English (Watertown, MA/Watertown) jumps right in as Wheaton's starting sweeper, while Sarah Crowley (Worcester, MA/Bancroft School) is a forward by trade but will see time in the backfield. Jessica Strock (Centerville, MA/Barnstable) will start either on the forward line or in the midfield, while Marisha Gadowski (Quincy, MA/Notre Dame Academy) will compete for playing time in the midfield.

Three keepers with a little more than 84 minutes of total college playing time under their belts have been battling for the starting job this fall, and all three should find opportunities to display their skills. Junior Jackie Riccio (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) has been a reserve keeper for the past two years, while sophomore Andrea Bagley (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) appeared in four games last fall at Bridgewater State College before transferring to Wheaton last spring, when she won 11 games while pitching for the Blue and White's softball team. Freshman Cameron Abel (Windham, NH/Salem) won two high school state championships while teaming with her sister Cassie in the backfield, and that combination could become a familiar sight during the next three years on Clark Field.

Wheaton's 17-game schedule begins on Friday, August 31, when the Lyons host Salve Regina University in the first of eight straight non-conference games. The Blue and White's league slate kicks off on September 22 when Wheaton travels to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

Three teams that participated in last season's NCAA Tournament appear on the blotter, as the Lyons host Final Four qualifier Bowdoin College on September 9 before facing NEWMAC foes Springfield College and Wellesley College three days apart in mid-October. Bowdoin is ranked third in the NFHCA preseason poll, while Springfield is tied for 15th.

Hancock sisters all play on Skowhegan´s field hockey team

By MATT DiFILIPPO, Staff Writer

Skowhegan Area High School field hockey coach Paula Doughty probably had the best idea on how to sort out the Hancock sisters. As they were coming up through the program and went to practices, Doughty had Makayla wear black, Mallory wear white and Megan wear gold.

"I´ve had them since second grade, and this year, I am starting to tell them apart," Doughty said. "On the field, I could never tell them apart. Two of them are identical and one isn´t -- but I don´t know which one. They all look just alike to me."

Makayla, Mallory and Megan -- who were born three minutes apart -- are all sophomores and on the varsity this year, along with sister Melissa, a senior sweeper who has already committed to play Division I field hockey at Sacred Heart University.

When Megan -- who splits time at goalie with Sam Gray -- is in the starting lineup, that makes four Hancock sisters among the 11 players on the field for the Indians.

"When I´m on the field, I don´t really recognize it because they´re just teammates," said Melissa, who won´t turn 17 until next month. "If we have problems at home like, ´You stole my bagel,´ or something, you don´t want to hear about it on the field."

There is another sister, Noelle, on the freshman team. That´s five high- school girls under one roof.

"It´s interesting," Melissa said. "We have to make a shower schedule in the morning."

After games, the four sisters will all get into one car, with Melissa driving them home. They´ll talk about the game together, and talk more about it later.

"It´s pretty much our lives," Makayla said.

Doughty says "the trips," as they´re known in the program, would have each been on the varsity as freshmen, but Doughty had just two spots available on the roster.

"The (triplets) can all play D- I," Doughty said. "I have no doubt in my mind."

If you´re trying to look at the Hancock sisters as individuals, rather than as a quartet, Melissa, the sweeper, wears No. 19; Megan, the goalie, wears No. 4; Mallory, a forward, is No. 6; and Makayla, a back, is No. 9.

"I think at that age, (Makayla´s) the best back I´ve ever had," Doughty said. "She, right now, is playing as well as most seniors. Mallory is equally good. She just plays a different position. (Megan´s) wonderful at saving strokes. She´s just very poised for her age. For their age, they just have a huge presence on the field."

Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Field Hockey Preview: Babson Seeks Offensive Rebound in '07

New head coach Julie Smith leads a strong group of returners into the fall.

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Armed with a reloaded offense and a new head coach, the 2007 Babson field hockey team is looking to regain its spot at the top of the NEWMAC this fall.

Following the squad's regular season conference title and first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2005, the Beavers struggled offensively in 2006 thanks in large part to the graduation of all-time leading scorer Elise Conley '06. However, with five of last year's top seven scorers returning, first-year head coach Julie Smith's team should feature a much-improved offense this fall.

Anchoring the Babson lineup this season will be the trio of senior tri-captains Brittany Stevens, Annie Pease, and Michele Farley. A First Team All-Conference selection in 2006, Stevens ranked third on the team with seven goals and four assists for 18 points, giving her an impressive 15 goals and 11 helpers for 41 points over the last two seasons. She will see time both on defense and in the midfield, where she will be joined by Pease, who tossed in three goals and three assists for nine points a year ago. Meanwhile, Farley will anchor the team's backfield after leading the team with four defensive saves last fall. The Beavers' top defender also contributed on the offensive end in her junior season, recording career-highs of two goals and four assists for eight points.

Other key members of this year's team will be junior Nicole Cemelli, who ranked second on the team with nine goals and five assists for 23 points last fall, and sophomore Jess Paladino, who finished fourth on the squad with five goals and two assists for 12 points in her rookie campaign. Senior Mikayla Shea, junior Megan Paglialunga, and junior Karin Dietz will also help bolster the Beavers' lineup, while sophomore Emily Cohen will see the majority of time in net.

UNH FIELD HOCKEY EYES RETURN TO AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of New Hampshire Wildcats look forward to the 2007 field hockey season as they bring some new experiences to the team. Goalkeeper Margaux Shute and midfielder Brooke Bercari were selected to compete for the New England High Performance Team at the National Championship in Virginia Beach (Va.) this past summer. Shute was able to back up the world’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Amy Tran. In addition, Cally Cooke and Kara Napolitano made the New England Squad and were able to practice with the team through the spring and early summer.

The Wildcats welcome a new assistant coach, Steve Simpson, who has brought extensive international and collegiate experience to the team. He was part of Maryland’s dynasty and also coached at UMass; Simpson is an active international official. He and head coach Robin Balducci went to Edinburgh to watch the European U-18 Championships in July.

The youth of the past two seasons has matured into a veteran group that boasts 18 returning letterwinners and nine returning starters from a year ago.

“We finished the 2006 season with a young squad that received a lot of experience and in the spring those players demonstrated abilities to take the next step,” Balducci said. “I’m very pleased with both the individual and team progress as we approach the upcoming season.”

DEFENSE
“We are returning our entire backfield, including a pair of fifth-year seniors in Margaux Shute and Sam Geary,” Balducci said. “Our defense should be solid and will give us the opportunity to win and have a successful season.”

Shute, an NFHCA All-Academic Team honoree every year as a Wildcat, has been the cornerstone of UNH’s defensive unit each of the past two seasons as the starting goalkeeper, and that will remain the status quo in 2007. Last season, Shute ranked No. 5 in the nation in saves (150) and No. 8 in saves per game (8.33). She started all 18 games and played most of the minutes. In five America East conference games, Shute recorded a 2.85 GAA with a .741 save percentage; she recorded double digits in saves six times, including a season-high 16 against nationally-ranked Providence College. As a sophomore in ‘05, Shute played every second in goal for the ‘Cats.

Sam Geary, another Wildcat who has garnered NFHCA All-Academic Team every year she has been in Durham, is a three-year starter. An America East All-Conference Second Team selection last season, Geary started all 18 games and once again was an integral part of both penalty corner units. Geary recorded two points, both on assists, last season to match her 2005 offensive production.

Kara Napolitano is another returning letterwinner with a wealth of experience who makes New Hampshire’s defensive unit a formidable one. Napolitano started all 17 games in which she played last year after earning America East All-Rookie Team honors in the 2005 season.

Cally Cooke immediately stepped into a starting role as a freshman last season. She, as well as Napolitano, were key components in the defensive penalty corner unit.

Kiera Williams also immediately stepped into a starting role in her first year as a Wildcat (after redshirting a year at UConn in ‘05).

Stefanie Simeone adds two years of experience to the corps and Kim McGinness is a new addition to the group.

Mollie Ryan will join the 2007 Wildcats as a walk-on freshman and serve as Shute’s understudy in goal.

“With our wealth of experience and maturity keeping play settled in the back half of the field, we will be able to play aggressively,” Balducci stated.

TRANSITION
Brooke Bercari emerged as a starter in the 2006 season after playing a vital role off the bench for the ‘Cats as a rookie in ‘05. She sees the field well and possesses the skills to distribute the ball. These traits make Bercari a critical linchpin in the midfield who links the defensive unit and the speedy forwards.

Hannah Colestock has played in 10+ games each of her first two seasons as a Wildcat. Johanna Stemmler will bring her extensive international experience to the Wildcats from Germany and Devan Weed had an important experience in helping her Boston team to a second-place finish at the Futures National Tournament during the summer.

They, as well as Michelle Montalbano, Mackenzie Granger and newcomer Kara Connolly – who is coming off a championship season at Lakeland High School – will add depth to the transition game.

ATTACK
“On offense, we need to fill the hole left by Emily Colton and we will look for a healthy Sarah Craigue to lead our attack with senior Shauna Sellenger in 2007,” Balducci said. “We have a lot of speed and quickness, which lends itself to play an up tempo attack.”

Sarah Craigue, with an impressive rookie year in ‘05 and an injury-plagued ‘06, is expected to have a breakout season in 2007. She finished strong in 2006 with two goals in the last four games of the season and had an excellent spring.

Shauna Sellenger is a senior and one of eight New Hampshire natives on the Wildcats’ roster. She became an offensive presence as a sophomore in the 2005 season, when she scored five goals as part of the offensive penalty corner unit and led the team in shooting percentage.

Megan Shea garnered America East All-Rookie Team accolades a year ago and is UNH’s top returning goal scorer and point producer despite starting just five of 13 games; she recorded five goals and two assists for 12 points in ‘06.

Jen Mooney is another speedy forward and, as a reserve off the bench, she brings three years of experience to the squad.

Sophie Ostroski and Leah Boody give depth to the position, which will also include incoming freshmen Allison Barnaby, Lyndsey Natale and KT Rich. Natale prepared for her rookie year at UNH with a three-week professional training camp in Wisconsin.

THE SCHEDULE
New Hampshire opens the 2007 season at home for the first two weeks. The Wildcats play host to St. Louis University on Sunday, August 26th at Memorial Field -- UNH alum Marcie Boyer returns to Durham as the SLU head coach -- then Colgate University (Friday, August 31st) and Rider University (Sunday, September 2nd) travel to Durham the following weekend.

UNH hits the road for a game at Harvard and then will play Virginia and UMass at the University of Vermont tournament on September 8-9. The ‘Cats then return home for back-to-back games against University of the Pacific and College of the Holy Cross on September 15-16.

New Hampshire spends the rest of the month on the road with a road trip to the state of Michigan – to play Central Michigan (September 22nd) and Michigan State (September 23rd) – and a pair of games in Boston; the Wildcats open the America East conference portion of their schedule September 28th at Boston University, then play longtime regional rival Northeastern University on the 30th.

October begins with a home game under the lights of Memorial Field against conference rival Maine on Saturday the 6th. The ‘Cats then travel to Dartmouth College twice in a week’s span – to play the Big Green on the 10th and Davidson College on the 16th. In between, UNH passes by Hanover, N.H. on its way to Burlington, Vt. to face another conference rival, Vermont on the 13th.

America East newcomer Fairfield University comes to town Saturday, October 20 and the Wildcats will celebrate Senior Day the following day against another regional rival, Boston College. UNH closes out the regular season in the last weekend of October on the road against Albany and Sacred Heart.

The 2007 America East Championships will be held November 2-4 at the site of the top seed, and the tourney winner receives an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

UNH FIELD HOCKEY PICKED FIFTH IN AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The University of New Hampshire field hockey team, led by 17th-year head coach Robin Balducci, has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2007 America East standings in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll that was released Wednesday.

UNH garnered 10 points to place ahead of league newcomer Fairfield University (five points). The America East preseason favorite is Boston University (25 points; five first-place votes), followed by University at Albany (21; one), University of Vermont (16) and University of Maine (13).

The Wildcats, with eight New Hampshire natives on the roster, are anchored defensively by senior goalkeeper Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Maine), who has played almost every minute in goal the past two years, and senior back Sam Geary (Norwood, Mass.), who garnered All-Conference Second Team honors last season. Junior forward Sarah Craigue (Concord, N.H.) and Megan Shea (Melrose, Mass.), a 2006 All-Rookie Team selection, look to lead the ‘Cat attack.

New Hampshire opens the 2007 season Aug. 26 at home against St. Louis University. Game time at Memorial Field is 1 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY TRIO TO COMPETE AT U.S. TOURNEY

DURHAM, N.H. – Brooke Bercari (Bordentown, N.J.), Brittany Jacobs (Frederick, Md.) and Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Me.) of the University of New Hampshire field hockey team were named to the 22-player roster for the New England Team that will compete at USA Field Hockey’s High Performance Training Center National Championship Tournament.

New England is one of six teams that will compete in the round-robin tournament at Virginia Beach from June 17-24. The teams feature National Team athletes as well as top college players who were selected during spring tryouts. Participation in the National Championship Tournament provides players with a direct route to an invitation to train with the U.S. National Team.

Bercari, Jacobs and Shute competed at the New England Training Squad tryout with fellow Wildcats Cally Cooke (Newburyport, Mass.) and Kara Napolitano (Waltham, Mass.); UNH assistant coach Steve Simpson was an assistant at the High Performance Training Center camp.

Bercari played in all 18 games and was in the Wildcats’ starting lineup 15 times as a sophomore midfielder in 2006. She recorded her first collegiate goal with a tally against the University of Vermont and finished the season with two points.

Jacobs played in all 18 games and made 13 starts for the ‘Cats as a sophomore back in ’06. She excelled in that role after doing the same as a rookie midfielder in the 2005 season, a year in which she recorded four goals and an assist. Jacobs’ collegiate honors include 2005 America East All-Conference Second Team and two-time selection to the NFHCA Division I National All-Academic Squad.

Shute, who has been named to the NFHCA Division I National All-Academic Squad each year as a UNH Wildcat, was one of three goalkeepers selected from a pool of seven athletes. Shute started all 18 games and played 99.3% of the minutes in the 2006 season as a junior. She ranked No. 5 in the nation in saves (150), recorded double digits in saves six times and a .725 save percentage. Shute played every second in goal in 2005 and finished with a 2.87 goals-against-average.

The New England Team begins tourney play June 17 (7 p.m.) vs. Pennsylvania/New Jersey.

FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS GARNER ACADEMIC HONOR

DURHAM, N.H. – The National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association announced Monday that five players from the University of New Hampshire field hockey team have been named to the 2006 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad.

Junior Sam Geary (Norwood, Mass.), junior Margaux Shute (Norridgewock, Maine), sophomore Brittany Jacobs (Frederick, Md.), freshman Cally Cooke (Newburyport, Mass.) and freshman Kendra Teixeira (East Sandwich, Mass.) all qualified for the team, which requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.30 through the first semester of the 2006-07 academic year.

Geary, a back, started all 18 games this season and recorded two assists for two points. She was also a key component on both penalty corner units and on re-starts with long hits into the circle. Geary was named an All-Conference Second Team honoree by America East at the end of the season.

Shute, a goalkeeper who started all 18 games, ranked fifth in the nation in saves (150) and eighth in saves per game (8.33). Shute recorded double digits in saves six times, including a season-high 16 against nationally-ranked Providence College.

Jacobs and Cooke, both backs, played integral roles in the Wildcat defense. Jacobs played in all 18 games, while Cooke started all 16 games she played.

Teixeira, a freshman, did not see any action as a backup goalkeeper playing behind Shute.

Nine High School Seniors Commit to Wolverines for 2007

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan field hockey head coach Nancy Cox announced today (Thursday, Feb. 21) that nine high school seniors have committed to attend U-M and play field hockey for the Wolverines during the 2007 season. The group includes Katie Adams (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson HS), Christi Barwick (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines HS), Eileen Brandes (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth HS), Soula Ellenikiotis (Saratoga, Calif./St. Francis HS), Cecily Jaros (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest HS), Alicia Mayer (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove HS), Zara Saydjari (Skowhegan, Maine/Skowhegan HS), Vanessa Sekhon (West Vancouver, British Columbis/Collingwood School) and Meredith Way (Newmanstown, Pa./Warwick HS).

"These nine young women embody what we are always looking for in prospective recruits," said Cox. "We want student-athletes who have a passion for wearing the block M and those who see obstacles as challenges to overcome in the classroom and on the field. We are excited about this group of young women and the potential that will accompany them to our field hockey program in August and over the course of the next few years. As students, they have high academic aspirations, and as athletes, they will be a tremendous addition to our returning core."

Adams, a forward/midfielder, was named a Cleveland Plain Dealer All-Star and earned all-state honors in each of her last two seasons. A scholar-athlete and honor student at Hudson High School, Adams was also an NFHCA West Regional All-American (2005) and a 2006 USA Field Hockey Futures Elite selection.

"Katie has good speed of execution with elimination skills," said Cox. "She has the potential to develop into a fine hockey athlete and, of course, that will all be predicated on her commitment to self improvement."

A goalkeeper, Barwick boasted 44 career shutouts as a three-year starter at Torrey Pines High School (2004, '05, '06). She was named an NFHCA West Region All-American and earned CIF second team, North County Times first team and Palomar League first team honors during her senior season. A three-time TPHS Scholar Athlete, she participated in the National Indoor Tournament (2006) and the National Futures Tournament (2004) and captured the bronze medal at the 2004 Junior Olympics.

"The thing that really stood out about Christi," said Cox, "is her relentlessness to the task of becoming a better goalkeeper. She is passionate about putting her equipment on, she is passionate about wearing Maize and Blue, and she will make a difference in our program because of her passion to represent Michigan and for self improvement."

Brandes, a forward, earned 2006 NFHCA northeast Region All-America honors and was selected a NFHCA Academic All-American (2006). She twice claimed Maine All-State honors (2205, '06) and was a two-time National Futures Tournament participant (2005, '06). Brandes also claimed a Western B Conference mile title and is a three-year starting softball pitcher at Falmouth High School. Her mother, Mary, held Michigan's school record in career goals (64) and career points (136) for 25 years until April Fronzoni (2000-03) bettered both marks in 2003. Mary Brandes was the field hockey program's first inductee into Michigan's prestigious Athletic Hall of Honor.

"Eileen epitomizes a Michigan student-athlete," said Cox. "She has performed exceptionally in the classroom. She is passionate about hockey and wearing a Maize and Blue jersey. She is relentless yet poised on the hockey field, and we are thrilled that Eileen has chosen to become a representative of our program and the University of Michigan."

A back/midfielder, Ellenikiotis was named the 2006 San Jose Mercury News Player of the Year after leading St. Francis High School in scoring during her senior season. She also garnered 2006 Blossom Valley All League Mt. Hamilton Division MVP honors and was selected to the division's first team three times (2003, '05, '06). A four-time Scholar Athlete Award recipient (2003, '04, '05, '06), Ellenikiotis twice participated in the National Futures Tournament and was a 2006 Futures Elite selection.

"Soula has exceptional elimination skills," said Cox. "She is a poised defender with good vision and has an exceptionally confident demeanor on the field."

Jaros, a forward, comes to Michigan as a top prospect out of Illinois. She led her Lake Forest High School team in assists during both her junior and senior seasons and, as a three-year starter, helped guide Lake Forest to three state championships. A two-time all-state selection, she also garnered a pair of Illinois All-Academic citations. Jaros is a two-year selection to the Futures Elite program (2006, '07).

"Cecily possesses great speed and tenacity," said Cox. "She is passionate about Michigan and the privilege to wear a Maize and Blue jersey. Throughout her recruitment she was emphatic that if given the opportunity to wear a block M, she would be a difference maker, and I believe she will."

Mayer, a forward, was twice selected to the Pennsylvania Coaches All-State first team (2005, '06) and a three-time Susquehanna Valley League first team member. An All-State Academic team pick, she carved her name into the Selinsgrove High School record book with new standards for career assists (19) and single-game markers (6) and ranks second in career goals with 91. She was a two-time Futures Elite selection, an Olympic Development selection and a 2005 Junior Olympics participant.

"Alicia is going to scale a mountain, if need be, to succeed," said Cox. "That is simply who she is as an athlete. She is relentless with exceptional speed on foot."

Saydjari, a forward, was a four-year member of the Skowhegan High School squad and contributed to Skowhegan's four consecutive state field hockey championships (2003, '04, '05, '06). Owning 35 career goals and 23 assists, she earned 2005 Penn Monto/NFHCA National All America second team honors and was selected to the Maine all-state second team. A four-year honor roll student and president of National Honor Society, Saydjari was also a member of the U16 U.S. National Team and a three-time United States Field Hockey Association Future Elite selection (2005, '06, '07). She competed in two Junior Olympics (2004, '05).

"Zara epitomizes the blue-collar, hard-nosed work ethic that we're continually looking for in Wolverines," said Cox. "Zara is a possessed young woman when it comes to hockey, and that is the mentality we want our program to exude -- student-athletes who are tenacious and relentless to the task both on the field and in the classroom. Zara has the physical tools in terms of speed, quickness and physical presence over the ball, to become an exceptionally talented hockey athlete at Michigan. Pair that with her academic accolades and she brings a tremendous amount to our program."

Sekhon, a forward, was named a Field Hockey All Star by the North Shore Secondary School Athletic Association during her final two seasons (2005, '06). A five-year Honor Roll student, she led Collingwood School in scoring during her senior season with 17 goals and eight assists. Sekhon was twice selected to British Columbia regional teams, competing with the BC U18 "A" Provincial team that won the U19 division at the 2006 CAN/AM Challenge and participating with the BC U16 "A" team at the 2005 U18 Canadian National Field Hockey Championship.

"Vanessa is a poised hockey athlete," said Cox. "What is most impressive is her presence over the ball while at speed and her exceptional vision."

Way, a forward/midfielder, was a four-year letterwinner at Warwick High School, where she was teammates of current Wolverine Paige Laytos (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) and three times advanced to Pennsylvania's state semifinals. Boasting career stats of 48 goals and 23 assists, Way was selected to the all-state first team (2006) and second team (2005) and twice named an L-L League Section 1 First Team All-Star and dream team (2005, '06). An accomplished hurdler on the Warwick track team, Way is also a three-time participant at the prestigious Penn Relays.

"Meredith comes to us from one of the premier high school programs in the country, under the leadership of Bob Derr," said Cox. "Meredith is an exceptional athlete who has tremendous physical presence, foot speed and quickness, which will make her a formidable challenge to defend whether on our forward line or in the midfield. I look for Meredith to bring her commitment for self improvement and her passion for hockey to our program, as her high school teammate, Paige Laytos, has done."

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423