The cheerleading program at USM is in rebuilding mode and- despite last year’s success at the Division II National tournament in Daytona- it is clear that the squad is still flying under the radar, constantly having to answer the repetitive question: USM has a cheerleading team?
Ironically it’s the lack of recognition that keeps the Husky cheering squad motivated.
With all the events happening on the USM-Gorham campus, there is plenty to do to keep students busy. From intramural sports, to outdoor concerts in front of Corthell Hall, to Thirsty Thursday in the Brooks Student center, USM provides students with plenty of activities to get them out, meet new students, and just have a good time.
Sullivan Gym serves as a place for students (mostly commuters) to get a solid free weight workout, a nice run in, or get a pick-up game of basketball going. However, many students don’t realize the other activities they can be involved in at the Portland campus gym, and one of these activities is the USM Blade Society.
The USM field hockey team came into Mansfield, CT prepared as they rolled to a 7-2 win over Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference match-up on Saturday.
The Huskies were led by sophomore forward Whitney McDaniel (Livermore, ME), freshman forward Bethany Schleh (Gorham, ME), and freshman forward Kailey Bubier (Auburn, ME) who each tallied two goals in the game.
The USM women’s tennis team regrouped after a three-match losing streak as they scored a perfect nine points, routing Pine Manor 9-0 in a non-conference match at the Gorham High school courts on Wednesday.
Sophomore Danielle Ward (Lansing, MI) led the Huskies in a match that highlighted superior play from all players on this year’s squad.
You don’t have to be Grizzly Adams or Bear Grylls to enjoy the wilderness, so strap on some boots, dress in layers, and enjoy our profile of three of Maine’s best hiking destinations.
While the warmer months slow slip away from us, the hiking season is in full swing.
Nick Johnson is not one to hold back. He’s a player that brings energy and up-tempo play to a Huskies men’s soccer team who lost seven players to graduation last season. Johnson brought this type of play to the field on Tuesday as he helped the Huskies topple the Thomas College Terriers 5-0 in a non-conference men’s soccer match in Gorham.
The USM golf team matched up against the best college golf teams in the state this past Saturday in the Maine State Championship hosted by Thomas College at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, ME. The Huskies proved their reputation as one of the top teams in the Pine Tree state as they notched a second place finish in the 11-team competition, tying their best finish thus far in the 2009 season.
The University of Southern Maine volleyball team continued play in their 2009 schedule, as they took on the Beavers of the University of Maine Farmington in a non-conference matchup at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham last Tuesday. The Beavers came away with the victory 3-1, but USM earned their first game win of the season.
JN: What is the best moment you have had as an athlete here at USM?
AB: I’ve had a lot of really great moments as an athlete here at USM, but I would really like to say thanks to my coach and teammates for allowing me to have another great year.
Women’s Cross Country
USM Takes Sixth Place out of 15 in the McGill Invitational
The University of Southern Maine women’s cross country team claimed a sixth place finish out of 15 teams at the 2009 McGill University Open this past Saturday in Montreal.
The Southern Maine field hockey team regrouped after last Saturday’s heartbreaking loss to Framingham State, and fought hard in a well-deserved 2-1 victory over the University of Maine-Farmington Beavers at Paula D. Hodgdon Field in Gorham on Wednesday.
The matchup proved the two teams were equally solid after a scoreless 42 minutes, until USM senior forward India Lowe (Gloucester, MA) struck first with her second goal of the season.
Casco Bay might seem to most an attraction best enjoyed from the dry, paved confines of the East End walking path, but for a few hardy Huskies, the frigid waters off Portland are as much of a battleground today as they were during the Revolutionary War.
Maine is home to many natural wonders such as our endless rocky coastline, beautiful beaches, pristine national parks, a rigorous stretch of the Appalachian Trail leading to its finish line of Mount Katahdin and so many more. However, many people would agree that there are actually two Maines.
Budget cuts are a rising issue in high schools and colleges all over the country. Due to the economic draught that has taken over, schools are forced to cut programs with a good majority of them being sports. USM has even had to deal with this issue and has had to drop sports programs because of the increase of costs in transportation, uniforms, facilities, etc.
Many believe that soccer is more of a finesse game than anything. In contrast, the sport can also be known as a very physical bout and that is exactly what was showcased in Wednesday afternoon’s non-conference women’s soccer matchup on the USM Soccer Field.
Men’s Soccer
McHugh Leads USM to Second Win
Senior forward Peter McHugh (Portland, ME) scored the lone goal in a defensive battle, as the USM men’s soccer team pulled out a 1-0 victory over Worcester State in a non-conference men’s soccer match-up in Gorham on Saturday.
The USM Huskies dominated the Gordon College Fighting Scots with a lopsided score of 6-0 in what was non-conference field hockey action at Paula D. Hodgdon field in Gorham this past Thursday.
The Huskies began their intense offensive attack early on; penetrating deep into the Gordon zone until senior forward Caitlin Albert (Scarborough, ME) managed to deflect a shot from sophomore forward Whitney McDaniel (Livermore, ME) into the goal just four and a half minutes into the game to make the score 1-0.
JN: What was the reason you came to USM? Was it more because of the athletics, or was it for the academics?
DK: Well I went to UMaine in Orono my freshman year and went there for the academics. I walked on to the men’s soccer team there. Then, after losing every game my freshman year, I realized I just wanted to play and have fun.
After a ten year winless streak against the USM Huskies, the UNE Nor’easters were finally able to break through their tenacious and defeating spell to beat the Huskies 2-1 during what was a feverish men’s season home opener in Gorham.
Despite a solid offensive attack, as well as consistent dictation in game tempo, the Huskies let mental breakdowns affect their game dramatically, allowing the Nor’easters to capitalize on several key offensive opportunities.
The USM Field Hockey team opened their season against the University of New England Nor’easters on Tuesday at the Paula D. Hodgdon Field in Gorham. The Huskies fell behind early and could not make up the deficit, losing 5-1.
In the opener the Nor’easters struck first with a goal from sophomore forward Michele Oswald with an assist by junior forward Taryn Flagg just before the end of the first half.
The USM Men’s Cross Country team is no stranger to talent. Over the past two seasons, the cross country program here at Southern Maine has sent 3 runners to the DIII Nationals and has created a reputation as a top notch running school. Curtis Wheeler, who was the LEC Runner of the Year in 2007, qualified for Nationals in 2006 and 2007, and last year, junior Tyler Jasud (Rumford, Maine/Mountain Valley) and freshman Alex Gomes (Peabody, MA) both raced at the National Championships.
The University of Southern Maine Women’s soccer team lost their first game of the season 6-1 against the Eagles of Husson University on Tuesday.
The Eagles got off to a quick start after scoring two first half goals from a penalty kick goal by junior defensive player Caitlyn Butterfield (Gorham) and also in the 24th minute by junior forward Megan Lajoie (Van Buren, ME) off an assist from senior Kylan Smith (Presque Isle, ME).
JN: Why did you choose to go to school at USM? Was your decision based mostly on academics or did you come for the running program?
RP: I chose USM for the academics and location. I like the Portland area and wanted to stay in-state, and USM also had a Political Science program of some renown that I was very interested in.