The third-seeded University of Maine’s field hockey team will open the America East playoffs in Albany on Thursday morning at 11 when it faces sixth seed the University of California Davis.
Following a 1-3 stretch in which the Black Bears were thumped by UMass Lowell 5-1 and squandered a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 double overtime loss to Bryant for what turned out to be Bryant’s only conference win, they ended the season with a strong showing in a 2-1 loss to top seed and No. 14 Albany and a 2-0 win over second seed New Hampshire.
One of the primary reasons for the mini-resurgence has been the play of sophomore goalie Jayde Temby.
The Aussie made five saves vs. New Hampshire to earn league Defensive Player of the Week honors after she had made nine stops vs. Albany.
She had come on in relief of Rozarie Mrazova in a 4-2 non-conference loss to Northeastern and played 11:55 scoreless minutes before getting the start against Albany.
“She kept us in the game against Albany,” said UMaine head coach Josette Babineau who pointed out that Temby earned the 3-2 overtime upset win over third seed New Hampshire in the conference quarterfinals a year ago. She made eight saves.
UMaine will bring an overall record of 10-8 into the game including a 3-1 victory over UC Davis on Oct. 6.
Senior back Poppy Lambert had two goals in that game and will enter the tournament tied with UMaine Sports Hall of Famer Kelly Newton for most career goals with 57.
Babineau said the team has kept a positive mindset and has “responded well” after the 1-3 stretch.
“Our defense has come along,” said Babineau whose Black Bears went 3-3 in conference play.
Lambert has seven goals and six assists for 20 points to share the team lead in scoring with junior midfielder Olivia Geneti (8 goals, 4 assists).
They were chosen to the All-America East first team.
Junior forward Kate Richardson (5 & 5), an All-AE second team pick, graduate student midfielder Victoria Tinghitella (4 & 6), sophomore forward Saylor Kuefler (4 & 3) and graduate student back Alexandra Sacker (3 & 5) are the other Black Bears with double-digit points.
Temby is 1-2 with a 1.27 goals-against average and a .783 save percentage.
UC Davis, 4-12 overall and 1-5 in the conference, earned the final playoff berth with a 5-2 win at Bryant on the last weekend of the regular season.
Senior defender/midfielder Liselotte Koop scored twice for the Aggies against Bryant and her 11 goals on the campaign is fifth-best in the conference. She also has six assists.
The All-AE first teamer has three game-winning goals.
Sophomore forward Katie Kim has four goals and senior defender Zoe Mohrman has three goals and two assists.
Sophomore goalkeeper Emma Giesting is 3-10 with a 2.90 GAA and a .743 save percentage.
Following the UMaine-UC Davis game, fourth seed Vermont (8-8, 3-3) will take on No. 5 UMass Lowell (10-7, 3-3) beginning a 2 p.m.
The UMaine-UC Davis winner will take on New Hampshire (9-9, 4-2) in the 11 a.m. semifinal on Friday with the Vermont-UMass Lowell victor facing Albany (15-3, 6-0) at 2 p.m.
The championship game is on Sunday at noon.
