The University of Maine’s field hockey team is gearing up for the upcoming season with a renewed sense of determination. After finishing an uncharacteristic sixth in the America East conference last year, the team has been picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll among seven teams. This marks a significant shift from their usual dominance in the conference, having won the regular season title in 2022 and 2021.
Head coach Josette Babineau, along with assistants Michelle Simpson and Leslie Smith-Abplanalp, are leading the charge to prove that last season was merely an aberration. To bolster the team, they brought in eight new players, four of whom are transfers with a wealth of experience. These transfers hail from four different countries, adding to the diverse makeup of the team, which now represents 11 nations.
The addition of graduate students Alexandra Sacker, Victoria Tinghitella, Micaela Grajales, and Maeve Fogarty has brought a new level of skill and toughness to the team. Players like Bhreagh Kennedy and Poppy Lambert have expressed their excitement at playing alongside teammates from various backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the game.
Poppy Lambert, a standout player from New Zealand, is poised to lead the team’s defense alongside Alexandra Sacker. Lambert, a three-time All-America East selection, is on the cusp of breaking the school record for career goals. Babineau highlighted the physical strength and skill that the transfers bring to the team, particularly in improving their penalty corner scoring.
The midfield will be anchored by experienced players like Tinghitella, Kennedy, and Grajales, who have a combined total of over 170 games under their belts. Babineau emphasized the importance of distributing scoring across the team, especially with the departure of key players from last season.
In the forward line, players like Saylor Kuefler, Kate Richardson, and Maeve Fogarty will be looking to make an impact. Fogarty, a transfer from the University of Rochester, brings a wealth of experience and speed to the team, while Richardson and Kuefler have shown promise in previous seasons.
In goal, Jayde Temby will be taking on the starting role after sharing duties last season. Babineau has brought in graduate student Rozarie Mrazova to provide depth in the goalkeeper position. With a deeper roster and improved practice intensity, Babineau is confident in the team’s ability to bounce back from last season’s setbacks.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, players like Lambert and Kennedy are using their underdog status as motivation. They are eager to showcase the hard work and dedication they have put in during the offseason. With an exhibition game against Brown and a tough season opener against Northwestern on the horizon, the University of Maine field hockey team is ready to prove their critics wrong and make a statement in the America East conference.