The USM field hockey team may have a young team, but they play like an experienced group, as evidence showed in their recent 2-0 win over the Worcester State Lancers in a non-conference match-up at Paula D. Hodgdon Field in Gorham last Wednesday.
Great play from USM freshmen coupled with knowledgeable veteran effort served as the keys to the Huskies sixth win of the season.
Freshman Bethany Schleh (Gorham) and Kailey Bubier (Auburn) combine for the Huskies two goals as they helped lead the team to its second shutout of 2009.
Schleh notched her sixth goal of the season just two minutes into the competition, when she took a pass from sophomore back Bethany Bougie (Sanford) and slipped it past Worcester State goalkeeper Katherine Masterjohn. The assist was the fourth of the season for Bougie.
The USM lead was held at 1-0 through the rest of the first half, until Bubier scored her team leading seventh goal of the season in the 62nd minute, after she blasted a one-time shot when teammate and co-captain India Lowe (Gloucester, MA) lost the ball and Bubier scooped it up.
Lowe, who tallied her team-leading sixth assist of the season, was accompanied by other veterans in sending the Lancers constant pressure throughout the game. Senior Caitlin Albert (Scarborough) made a solid effort for the Huskies offense as she made some nice runs into WSU’s zone. Junior defender Heather Gilman (Fairfield) held down the defense as she recorded a defensive save in the first half, while sophomore defender Joanna Gaube (Woodstock, CT) turned in a solid effort as well.
The Huskies will return to action this week with a game against Salem State at home on Tuesday, against St. Joseph’s on Thursday in Standish, and a key conference matchup against Keene State at home on Saturday.