The University of Maine field hockey team came up just a goal short again on both Saturday and Sunday as the Black Bears suffered 2-1 losses to Harvard University and Hofstra University. Sunday marked a frustrating five one-goal losses in a row for UMaine. The Black Bears fell to 1-5 as their losing streak extends to five games.
The Black Bears come home next weekend for their home opener against the University of Bryant Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.
UMaine falls to Crimson in close contest
The Black Bears’ sticks came alive Saturday as they outshot the Crimson 18-7, with 10 of their 18 shots on target. Second-year goaltender Emma Cochran slipped to 0-2 on the day, turning aside one of the three shots she was tasked with.
Harvard’s win was their first game against the Black Bears in history, having gone 0-5 in games against UMaine. The Crimson improve to a perfect 4-0 on the year.
Harvard scored first at the tail end of the first half as first-year midfielder Hannah Wellington scored a one-timer from first-year forward Ellie Cookson to give the Crimson the 1-0 advantage at halftime.
UMaine second-year Danielle Aviani netted her third goal of the year past third-year goaltender Issy Davies at the beginning of the second half to give the Black Bears life after a dismal first half.
The Crimson did not let the tie last for long, as sophomore forward Marissa Balezza scored just two minutes later by crashing the net after getting the ball at the top of the circle to score the go-ahead goal. Davies secured four saves from the UMaine attack and sealed the win.
Harvard will be back in action when they host Yale University Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
Black Bears blanked by Pride
The Black Bears got out to a quick start on Sunday when Aviani scored in the 10th minute to take the quick 1-0 lead, her second goal in as many games and her fourth of the season. Her 3-yard rebound strike put her in the team lead in points with nine.
The Pride answered back in the 29th minute as second-year forward Claudia Marin-Samper shot and scored off a pass from fourth-year forward Jonel Boileau to tie things at one goal apiece.
The Black Bears outshot the Pride 13-12 and even had three more on target than Hofstra, though they failed to convert as many times as they needed.
Marin-Samper and Boileau went back to work in the 48th minute, but this time it was Marin-Samper that fed Boileau for the go-ahead score. The goal was Marin-Samper’s 12th point of the season and Boileau’s 12th, good enough for best and second-best on the team, respectively.
Redshirt freshman Emily Corbett got the start in net for the Black Bears and made four saves on six chances for the loss.
The Pride will travel to the University of Massachusetts at Lowell Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.