Men’s Soccer:
The USM men’s soccer team traveled to New London, CT to take on the United States Coast Guard Academy in the first ECAC Division III New England Tournament that the Huskies have played in in twenty years (1984). The Bears scored early, deflating to Huskies hopes of advancing as they went on to beat them by a score of 2-0. This is the second time in two years the Bears have advanced to the semifinal round. Sophomore midfielder Sean Munnis (Dowington, PA) scored just 2:43 into the first half and classmate Casey Steuer (Madison, WI) scored 2:30 into the second to advance the fourth-seeded Bears to the semifinals. The Huskies had their best season in 24 years, ending with a mark of 11-5-3.
Coach Eric Miller was named Little East Conferences (LEC) Coach of the Year recently as voted on by his LEC coaching cohorts. The Huskies also had two players earn first team honors for the LEC. Senior forward Andy Budelman (Rochester, NH) and senior midfielder Zach Rossignol (Portland, ME) were both named to the all-conference first team. Earning second team honors were senior Troy Waltz (Portland, ME), Mike Suesse (Westborough, MA) and sophomore goalkeeper Chris Willard (Hampton, CT). All players chosen were first time selections and Miller becomes the first men’s coach to ever win the award in the 16 year history of the program in the LEC. It is also the first time the Huskies had five players be named to the conference team in the same season. Budelman led the Huskies with 17 goals and three assists on the season, good for 37 points. His 17 goals is the second highest ever in the 48-year history of the men’s soccer program. Rossignol, who assisted on many of Budelman’s goals throughout the season, anchored the Husky midfield while scoring one goal and assisting on nine others.
Women’s Soccer:
Three Lady Huskies earned bragging rights in the LEC as they were named to the first and second all-conference teams last Monday. Coach Steve Quinones was also named Coach of the Year by coaches around the conference. Junior defender Stacy LeBlanc (Standish, ME) was named to the All-Little East first team for the first time in her career. Junior forward Liz Brunton (Birch Harbor, ME) and junior midfielder Devin Edwards (South Paris, ME) were both named to the all-conference second team. Brunton and Edwards are also first time selections.
Volleyball:
Freshman middle blocker Ashley Freeman (Gorham, ME) was named the LEC’s Rookie of the Year for her outstanding performance over the fall season. The award, which is voted on by LEC coaches, is the first of its kind to be won by a USM player in the program’s eight year history. Freeman led the Huskies with 279 kills and 79 blocks on the season. Freeman was named LEC Rookie of the Week twice during the season for the 15-16 Huskies.
Field Hockey:
Sophomore Denise Minigell (Auburn, ME) has been named to the 2004 LEC second team. Minigell started 17 games at defense for the Huskies. She also transitioned to offense when she had to, scoring two goals on the season. Minigell has also started in all 40 games she has played in over the past two years and was also a National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic All-America selection in 2003. USM finished their season at 4-16 overall and 3-7 in the LEC.