The Black Bears women’s basketball team (6-4) was back in action, destroying the Maine Maritime Academy Mariners (3-2) 89-49 in a clash at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, on Tuesday night.

The Black Bears opened up the game by going on a 21-8 run through much of the first quarter. Second-year guard Blanca Millan got things started by draining a three-pointer on the very first shot of the game.

The second quarter saw slowed-down scoring action, as Maine would eventually build their lead to 25 points, taking a 48-23 lead into halftime.

Third-year forward Alayne Felix was a bright spot for the Mariners in the first half, going six for six from the field and finishing the half with 13 of the team’s 23 points. She also finished the half with three rebounds.

Maine pulled it together shooting wise in the half, going 18 of 32 as a team, including nine for 17 from three-point range. Millan led the Black Bears with 16 points on six of eight shooting.

The Black Bears would keep the hot hand going to start the third quarter. They would go on a 25-0 run and build the lead to 50 points before the Mariners put any more points on the board. The Black Bears would outscore the Mariners 27-6 on the quarter.

Maine Maritime would outscore the Black Bears 20-14 in the final quarter, but by then the damage was done.

Felix would be the only Mariner to reach double figures, finishing with 21 points on 10-15 shooting. She also finished with five rebounds to go with the 21 points.

Maine had four finish in double figures, with Millan leading the charge by scoring 24. Redshirt third-year guard Tanesha Sutton and first-year guard Kelly Fogarty each finished with 13, and second-year guard Julie Brosseau with 12.

As expected, Maine dominated in many offensive aspects. They outscored MMA 36-13 off the turnover, blanked them on the fastbreak, 14-0, and outscored the Mariners in the paint 32-24.

Maine Maritime would be back in action against Castleton on Friday.

The University of Maine Black Bears women’s hockey team (11-6-3, 5-3-2) was back in action on Saturday, Dec. 1, taking down the University of Vermont Catamounts (5-11-3, 3-7-2) 2-0 from Alfond Arena.

Second-year goaltender Carly Jackson got the start between the pipes for the Black Bears. Jackson came into the game with an 8-5-2 record, including a shutout allowing 32 goals on the season. For the Catamounts, second-year goaltender Sydnee Scobee got the start. Scobee came in with a 4-6-1 record in 11 starts, allowing 29 goals on the season and pitching a shutout.

Defense was the key for the Black Bears in the game, as they held Vermont to 29 shots in total, with 12 blocks. Jackson recorded 17 saves in the shutout.

Offensively, Maine kept the heat on Scobee, launching off 32 shots on the day, with Scobee stopping 30 while allowing the two goals. The Black Bears controlled the puck in the Vermont zone for the majority of the game.

The scoring started in the first period. Second-year forward Tereza Vanisova fired a shot off on goal, but Scobee was there to make the initial save. Vanisova followed the rebound and was able to poke it in, putting the Black Bears up 1-0 with 6:49 to go in the period. Fourth-year forward Brooke Stacey and second-year forward Jessica Jacques were both credited with assists on the play.

A scuffle in the crease gave the Black Bears the perfect opportunity to put the nail in the coffin. First-year defender Anna Zikova put enough behind her shot to get the puck in the back of the net past a sprawling Scobee, who stuck the blocker out to get a piece of it to knock it away. The effort was all in vain. Stacey and Vanisova were both credited with assists on Zikova’s second goal of the season.

Scoring was different to come by in the final 20 minutes of play, with the Catamounts holding an edge in shots on goal eight to six. Vermont had ample opportunities in the third period. Maine went on the penalty kill in two separate instances, but was able to thwart the Catamounts both times. Vermont would pull the goaltender for a minute with an extra attacker, but the Black Bear defense held down the fort.

The Black Bears will look to keep their streak going as the two teams square off on Sunday from Alfond Arena. Puck drop is at 2 p.m.

Black Bears skate to tie with Vermont

The Black Bears looked to complete a weekend sweep of the University of Vermont on Sunday, Dec. 3 from Alfond Arena. Unfortunately, neither team was able to pull and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Both teams ran out similar lineups, with the second lines and the first defensive pairings getting the starts. The goaltender matchup stayed the same, as Jackson and Scobee were both between the pipes for round two.

The Catamounts struck first in the first period. Off the faceoff, first-year forward Olivia Kilberg found linemate and fourth-year forward Kourtney Menches, who put a one timer past Jackson to put the Catamounts up 1-0 with 7:42 to go in the period. That was goal number two on the season for Menches.

Maine would answer back two minutes later. Vanisova would rip a shot past Scobee following a blocked shot to tie the game at 1-1 with 5:16 left in the first.

Maine played a complete first period, limiting Vermont’s offense to just seven total shots while accumulating 29 of their own, including 19 on target. Scobee played out of her mind in the period, making 18 saves.

Vermont had a golden opportunity to take the lead after fourth-year defender Mikayla Rodgers was sent to the penalty box for an interference call with 15:34 in the period, but could not capitalize.

Maine would go on the power play after an interference penalty on third-year defender Daria O’Neill with 11:52 in the period. The opportunity was squandered when first-year forward Michelle Weis was sent to the box for tripping. Once the O’Neill penalty was over, Vermont was on the power play. The one-skater advantage increased to two, when first-year forward Daria Tereshkina got called for checking. The defense held strong, and Jackson made the save she needed to in order to keep Vermont off the board.

“Our team defense has been much better than the year before. We’re making sure to be more physical and do whatever is necessary to get the puck back,” Maine Head Coach Rick Reichenbach said.

The offense leveled out, with the Catamounts leading in shots on goal nine to six. Jackson was more than up to the task as she stopped all nine.

Vermont would strike again with 9:24 to go in the third period. Fourth-year defender Taylor Willard took a pass from first-year forward Val Caldwell and sent a laser toward Jackson. The shot took a weird bounce off fourth-year forward Mackenzie MacNeil and went through the legs of Jackson.

Maine would keep the pressure up, continuing to pepper Scobee, knowing that something would give again. Something would, as Stacey took a pass in front of the net from Vanisova and flicked it in to tie the game at 2-2 with 4:11 to go in the period.

“Vermont is really tough to play against. We responded well with that and stuck together, just played our game,” Jackson said.

The game would head to overtime, and the Black Bears’ best chance at putting the game away came on a fast break. With a swarm of Catamounts closing, Vanisova took a pass in the slot and rocketed it on goal. Scobee made a brilliant save and a light scrum ensued to try to poke it in. Neither team could score in the final minute.

Jackson finished with 15 saves on the afternoon, while Scobee finished with 37.

These two teams will meet up for a Saturday matinee on Dec. 9 at Gutterson Fieldhouse in Burlington, Vt. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m.

The University of Maine football team (4-5) was back in action on Saturday, taking on a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in the University of Massachusetts Minutemen (3-7) as part of the 2017 Fenway Gridiron Series. The Black Bears would fall 44-31 in the first meeting between these two teams since 2013.

The Minutemen wasted no time getting on the board. Redshirt third-year quarterback Andrew Ford completed each of his first three passes for 77 yards, including a 33-yarder to first-year wide receiver Jessie Britt for the touchdown to put them up 7-0 just a minute and a half into the game.

The Black Bears wasted no time answering. On the ensuing kickoff, second-year returner Earnest Edwards was off to the races, returning the kick 95 yards for the touchdown to tie the game 7-7 not even two minutes in.

UMass kept the fireworks going on their very next drive, as Ford found third-year receiver Andy Isabella for a 69-yard touchdown on second and 23, putting the Minutemen up 14-7 with 11:32 to go in the quarter.

Pass interference calls on consecutive third downs kept the UMass drive alive before Ford found Isabella for the second time in the game, this time from 12 yards out in the back of the end zone, putting the Minutemen up 21-7 with 1:02 to go in the first.  

UMass ran their unanswered scoring streak to 17 when redshirt fourth-year kicker Logan Laurent nailed a 41-yard field goal to put the Minutemen up 24-7 with 10:20 to go in the second quarter.

After Edwards made a great return, Maine came right back. Redshirt first-year quarterback Chris Ferguson connected with second-year receiver Jaquan Blair for 29 yards on a second and 20 to put the Black Bears into the red zone. Two plays later, Ferguson scampered in from nine yards out to cut the score to 24-14 UMass with eight minutes to go in the second.

Maine’s defense stepped up with 3:26 to go in the half. Third-year defensive lineman Connor Walsh tripped Ford up in the end zone for a safety. The original call of a fumble was overturned by official review, and the Black Bears cut the deficit to 24-16.

After the free kick gave Maine excellent field position, the Minutemen defense made a stop of its own, stuffing second-year running back Josh Mack on two plays and capping the drive with an interception by redshirt fourth-year safety Jesse Monteiro. The Minutemen would not capitalize on the excellent field position going into halftime.

Maine opened up the second half with a strong drive, mixing the pass and run very well, with Ferguson finding his receivers after struggling to do so in the first half. Mack bullied his way in from one yard out for the touchdown. The Black Bears converted on the two-point conversion with Ferguson finding redshirt third-year tight end Drew Belcher to tie the game at 24 with 10:00 to go in the third quarter.  

The Minutemen struck back as Ford found Isabella in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out to run the score to 31-24 with 2:42 left in the third.

UMass forced another turnover as third-year cornerback Lee Moses intercepted a Ferguson pass down the sideline and returned it 70 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but the damage was done as the Minutemen went up 37-24 with 1:08 left in the quarter.

Mack, after getting stuffed play after play, finally got the seam he needed and scampered in from 37 yards out for the touchdown. The run was set up by a 47-yard connection between Ferguson and Belcher.

After holding the Minutemen down, Maine lost massive yardage through penalties. On fourth and five, Ferguson found Blair for nine yards, and UMass was called for a targeting penalty. Unfortunately the Black Bears got called for an illegal shift to replay the down, and failed to convert on the replayed down.

The Minutemen put the final nail in the coffin when third-year running back Marquis Young turned the corner and bolted in from 33 yards for the final score of the game.

Ferguson took the reins after a little squib kick gave the Black Bears excellent field position. He was knocking on the door, but could not capitalize, turning the ball over on downs from the UMass five-yard line.

Ferguson finished the game 16 of 41 for 232 yards and two interceptions. Mack crossed the century mark for the seventh time this year, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. Ford went 21 of 39 for 355 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Isabella eight times for 152 yards and three of those touchdowns.

Maine will finish their season on Saturday, Nov. 18 with Senior Day against Stony Brook. Kickoff is set for noon. UMass takes on Brigham Young on Saturday, Nov. 18 in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.  

A fumble recovery for a touchdown proved to be the difference maker, as the University of Maine football team (4-4, 3-4) fell to the University of Delaware (6-3, 4-2) 31-17 in Colonial Athletic Association action on Saturday from Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine.

The Maine defense started very strong, holding the Blue Hens to just 75 yards on the quarter with two fumble recoveries and two near-interceptions. However, the offense struggled early on, with the only scoring coming from a 29-yard field goal from third-year kicker Brandon Briggs to put the Black Bears up 3-0 with 8:03 to go in the first quarter.

The offense started to gain some momentum later in the quarter. Redshirt first-year quarterback Chris Ferguson put up a jump ball for third-year wide receiver Micah Wright on three separate occasions in the Black Bears’ last possession in the first. The third try turned to out to be the charm as Wright hauled in the pass on the near sideline for the 12-yard touchdown reception, putting the Black Bears up 10-0 after Briggs’ extra point with 38 seconds left.

Delaware got on the board in the second quarter. After redshirt third-year quarterback JP Caruso connected with redshirt third-year wide receiver Joe Walker for a 56-yard pitch-and-catch to set the Blue Hens up at the Maine 10-yard line, Caruso then found fourth-year tight end Brandon Whaley from 10 yards out. Redshirt third-year kicker Frank Raggo’s extra point attempt ran the score to 10-7 with 5:42 left.

The Blue Hens would strike again on their next possession. A 36-yard connection between Caruso and first-year receiver Gene Coleman II on third and 10 extended the possession, putting the offense in the Maine red zone. Third-year running back Kani Kane barreled in from one yard out to put Delaware up 14-10 with a mere 21 seconds left in the first half.  

The Black Hole defense stepped up after Ferguson’s second pass of the second half was intercepted by redshirt first-year defensive back Tim Poindexter at Maine’s 37, allowing just six yards before Raggo drilled a 48-yard field goal to run the score to 17-10.

The Black Bears leaned heavily on the lightning followed by the thunder, as second-year running back Josh Mack bolted for 39 yards into Delaware territory. Redshirt second-year running back Joe Fitzpatrick barreled his way in from eight yards out, carrying a Blue Hen defender with him to tie the game at 17-17.

Disaster struck in the fourth quarter. With Delaware punting from the 47-yard line, Wright went to receive the punt, but was immediately met by fourth-year defensive lineman John Nassib. The hit Wright took jarred the ball loose, and redshirt first-year linebacker Colby Reeder recovered, scampering in from five yards out to give the Blue Hens the 24-17 lead. Wright’s day was finished after he injured his knee on the hit.

The Blue Hens put the nail in the coffin after a 12-play drive that lasted for 7:39 was capped off with Caruso getting the touchdown on a sneak for the final score of the game.

Covering the Black Bear return game was a key focus point for Delaware.

“They had been really good in returning kicks this year. We spent a lot of time emphasizing getting those guys on the ground, and we did real good job with that. We made some big plays,” Delaware Head Coach Danny Rocco said.

Maine outgained Delaware on the day 451-346, but that meant nothing with the Black Bears’ inability to score when given the opportunities. The inability to score or extend drives really hurt the defense, especially at the end.

“I think we hit a lull in the second quarter. The way that they play, they take a lot of time off the clock and wear you out. At the end, they were playing physical and using their size, and we were just worn out,” Maine Head Coach Joe Harasymiak said.

Walker was a star for Delaware, finishing with nine carries for 55 yards, as well as two catches for 68 yards. Twice he made big plays to keep the Blue Hen offense on the field.

“It felt great to be a guy to make plays and give a spark to the team when we needed it,” Walker said.

Mack, the leading rusher in the entirety of the Football Championship Subdivision, finished the game with 173 yards on 23 carries. This marked the sixth time in eight games in which he has gone over the century mark in terms of yardage in a game.

The Black Bears will be headed down to Boston to take on the University of Massachusetts Amherst Minutemen as part of the Fenway Gridiron series on Nov. 11. They will kick off at 4 p.m. Delaware will return to Delaware Stadium for a CAA matchup against the University of Albany on Nov. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.  

The University of Maine football team (4-3, 3-3) was back in action on Saturday, looking to run their Colonial Athletic Association winning streak to three games against the College of William and Mary (2-6, 0-5). The defense sparked the Black Bears 23-6 win over the Tribe.

The game started with a scare, as second-year kick return Earnest Edwards returned the opening kickoff to the 15-yard line before fumbling. Third-year defensive back Jeffrey DeVaughn was right there to recover, and the crowd could breathe a little easier. This comfort did not last, as redshirt first-year quarterback Chris Ferguson was strip-sacked by William and Mary’s second-year defensive tackle Bill Murray. The ball was recovered by second-year defensive tackle Graydon Campbell at the Maine 18-yard line to give the Tribe excellent field position.

William and Mary would squander the great field position that was made even better after an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Black Bears. On third and goal from the six, William and Mary first-year quarterback Shon Mitchell was picked off by third-year defensive back Darrius Hart, putting the Black Bears deep in their own territory.

After a three-and-out and a short punt that let the Tribe start in Maine territory, the Black Hole defense lived up to its name. They would allow just five more yards before second-year kicker Kris Hooper drilled a 41-yard field goal to put William and Mary up 3-0 with 9:36 to go in the quarter.

The Black Bear offense took over, chipping away with a mixture of big plays and costly William and Mary penalties. The drive would stall at the two yard line, where third-year kicker Brandon Briggs chipped in a field goal from 19 yards to knot the score at 3-3 with 5:13 to go.

A defensive struggle would ensue, as both teams traded off three and four play series like old baseball cards.

The Black Bears would finally get a push, when Ferguson connected with second-year wide receiver Jaquan Blair for 32 yards. After an ineligible man downfield penalty, the Tribe clamped down. Briggs was good again, this time from 43 yards out to give the Black Bears their first lead of the game, 6-3, with 8:47 to go in the first half.

With 1:26 to go in the half, Maine’s two minute offense found paydirt. First play of the drive, Ferguson found fourth-year receiver Jared Osumah for 34 yards, putting the Black Bears well into William and Mary territory. Ferguson would find Edwards for 20 yards on third and nine to give Maine a fresh set of downs, and set Briggs up for an easier field goal. They would not need this, as Ferguson found redshirt third-year tight end Drew Belcher on back to back passes on second and third down for the touchdown. Briggs’ extra point ran the score to 13-3 with 26 seconds left in the half.

William and Mary received the kickoff to start the second half. With third-year Tommy McKee now in as quarterback, the Tribe offense strung plays together, pushing the ball down to the Maine 17 yard line. Hooper’s kick would miss wide right, giving the Black Bears the ball back and keeping the 10 point lead intact.

Maine’s offense was not quite as quick out of the gate, going three-and-out while losing eight yards on that possession. The ensuing punt would give William and Mary the ball in Black Bear territory.

William and Mary strung a 10-play drive together to take four minutes off the clock, with a little help from Maine penalties. Hooper went back out to redeem himself from 25 yards out, nailing the kick to run the score to 13-6.

The Tribe were carrying momentum until third and 10 from the Maine 25, when Ferguson connected with Edwards for 45 yards to put the Black Bears in William and Mary territory. Gutsy play calling deep in Tribe territory prolonged the drive, as fourth-year fullback Joe Fitzpatrick barreled ahead for one yard on a fourth-and-one from the three-yard line. Then it was second-year halfback Josh Mack’s turn to be the battering ram, plunging in from two yards out for the touchdown. The extra point made the lead 20-6 with 13:43 to go in the game.

After the defense forced another three-and-out, the offense got right back to work. Another senseless penalty by the Tribe extended the Black Bears’ possession. They took advantage by feeding their two headed monster running game of Mack and Fitzpatrick, pumping their way down to the 6-yard line before Briggs nailed his third field goal of the day from 23 yards out for the final score of the day.

The Black Bear defense was hungry for the game, giving up 13 first downs and a total of 199 yards to go with the six points.

The Black Bears will look to keep the streak going as they take on the University of Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. The Tribe will look to end their five game skid on Saturday, when they take on the University of New Hampshire in Williamsburg, Va. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

The Black Bears women’s hockey team (4-2) split their opening series against the No.9 Quinnipiac Bobcats, then traveled to Troy, N.Y. and swept the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers. Their triumphs proved how well this team can play, and that they can potentially make a push for early season playoff positioning in Hockey East.

Then they faced yet another test over the weekend at Alfond Arena, as they faced off with the No. 10 ranked Robert Morris Colonials (3-1), falling in Friday’s contest 2-1 to kick off homecoming weekend.

Both teams struggled to get any sort of offense going in the first two periods of action. Tight defensive play from both sides limited the scoring opportunities for both teams, and stellar goaltending from Maine’s second-year goaltender Carly Jackson and Robert Morris’s fourth-year netminder Elijah Milne-Price turned away every shot they faced. Something was going to have to give before too long.

By the middle of the third period, something gave, not like when a dam bursts, but more like when a garden hose finally pops after being left outside for the winter, then turned on for the first time in the spring.

With 18:49 to go in the third, Colonials’ fourth-year forward Amanda Pantaleo took a pass from third-year defender Maggie LaGue. Pantaleo would poke the puck right past Jackson into the back of the net, giving Robert Morris the 1-0 lead.

LaGue would play a crucial role in the game winner for the Colonials, finding third-year forward Amber Rennie, who would in turn find redshirt fourth-year forward Brittany Howard for the second goal of the night, putting Robert Morris up 2-0 with 9:10 left in the game.

The Black Bears would not go down without a fight. Fourth-year forward Catherine Tufts ripped a shot past Milne-Price to cut the deficit to 2-1 with 6:21 to go. The goal was the first on the season for Tufts, who was assisted by fourth-year defender Kristin Gilmour and second-year forward Tereza Vanisova.

The scoring output in the third was emblematic of the offensive production in this game. Through the first two periods, Robert Morris outshot Maine 11-9, but Maine would nearly double their shot total in the third period alone, turning the tables on the Colonials by a 7-5 shots on goal margin.

Maine also showed off discipline, committing only three penalties for six minutes in the box. This is not to say Robert Morris wasn’t disciplined as well, going to the box just five times for 10 minutes.

The Black Bears dominated in the faceoff circle, winning 31 of 47 faceoffs on the evening. Give credit to the Colonials’ stifling defense for holding Maine to just the one late goal.

Jackson finished the game with 15 saves on the 17 shots she faced. Milne-Price also finished with 15 saves on 16 shots faced.

These two teams will be back in action on Saturday with puck drop scheduled for 1 p.m.   

Black Bears pull out split with 5-2 win over Colonials

Everything that was lacking in Friday’s game was more than on display Saturday. Some of it was what is desired in a hockey game, some not so much.

The biggest difference between Friday night and Saturday afternoon: the Black Bears came out on top, downing the Colonials 5-2 to wrap up the homecoming weekend series.

First-year goaltender Lauryn Porter got her first start of the season for the Black Bears, and to say she played well would be an understatement. Robert Morris peppered the net all afternoon, firing off 40 shots for the game. Porter was more than up to the task of shutting down the high-powered attack, recording 38 saves for the day, and not allowing a goal until the third.

The scoring started for the Black Bears in the opening period. With 11:35 to go in the period, Robert Morris had a lapse in judgement when they were called for having too many players on the ice during a line change. Maine was able to capitalize when first-year forward Daria Tereshkina found Vanisova in the slot. Vanisova was then able to poke one past the Colonials’ third-year goaltender Lauren Bailey to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

Tereshkina would follow up the assist with her first goal as a Black Bear. Vanisova tried potting her second goal of the game on a pass from fourth-year forward Brooke Stacey, but was turned away. Tereshkina was right there to corral the rebound and sneak one past Bailey for the 2-0 lead.

Maine would add a third unanswered goal with 13:38 to go in the second. Second-year defender Brittany Kucera sent a pass to Tereshkina, who fired off a shot in search of her second goal of the game. Bailey blocked the shot, but Stacey skated up to tuck a shot into the corner of the net. The goal was Stacey’s second of the year, and gave Maine a 3-0 lead that seemed insurmountable.

Robert Morris made things interesting in the first half of the third period. Fourth-year forward Jessica Gazzola took the puck down the ice, weaving through the Black Bear defenders and putting one past Porter to cut the deficit to 3-1 with 15:55 to go.

With 10:53 to go, and Robert Morris shorthanded, the duo of LaGue and Howard struck again. LaGue dished the puck over to Howard, who fired a one-timer past Porter to bring the score to 3-2.

Robert Morris was carrying momentum, but Stacey did exactly what she needed to do to swing it back in Maine’s favor. With 6:34 remaining, Stacey took a pass from Vanisova, putting it past Bailey for her second goal of the game, third on the season, to give the Black Bears a 4-2.

After Bailey was pulled for the extra skater, Vanisova potted the empty netter for her second goal of the game, also her third on the season, to run the score to 5-2 Black Bears, where it would stand at the final horn.

The only category that matters is goals. That being said, Robert Morris outshot Maine 40-23, and dominated in the faceoff circle, 34-24.

Maine will start conference play with a matchup against Boston University on Friday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. from Alfond Arena. Robert Morris will look to rebound from their first loss on the season with a two-game set against Brown University. Puck drop for game one is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. in Providence, R.I.      

The Black Bears (2-3) played their first game at Morse Field in over a month, after weeks on the road, letting James Madison run away with it and getting shellacked by Villanova. Suffice to say, they needed a win in the worst possible way.

And they got it on Saturday, rolling past the University of Rhode Island Rams (1-5) by a score of 51-27.

The defense struggled early, as Rhode Island was able to march 75 yards downfield, capped off by a 16-yard touchdown by fourth-year running back T.J. Anderson to put the Rams on top 7-0 with 11:06 left in the first quarter. It was the first time all season that Rhode Island scored on their opening drive.

Maine received a huge break on their opening possession. After allowing a sack on a three-man rush to set up a fourth and 22 from their own 31, the Rams got called for roughing the kicker, giving the Black Bears a fresh set of downs from the 46-yard line. Redshirt first-year quarterback Chris Ferguson found fourth-year wide receiver Jaleel Reed going toward the Rhode Island sideline. Reed would then turn on the afterburners, outrunning the Rhode Island secondary for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:41 left in the first.

Rhode Island would strike back on their next possession. On a drive that was very pass heavy, the Rams found paydirt on third down, when redshirt third-year quarterback Tyler Harris connected with second-year wide receiver Aaron Parker for 38 yards on a third and eight. The drive would be capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Harris to redshirt third-year wide receiver Marven Beauvais, extending the lead to 14-7 with 4:06 left in the first.

Maine would keep chipping away on their next drive. It would have stalled, had it not been for gutsy play calling on fourth and two from the Rhode Island 28, with Ferguson finding second-year receiver Jaquan Blair for five and keeping the drive going. Unfortunately, the drive stalled at the 4, as third-year kicker Brandon Briggs nailed a 21-yard chip shot field goal to bring the score to 14-10.  

Rhode Island used two big pass plays on the very next possession, including a 44-yard touchdown from redshirt third-year quarterback JaJuan Lawson to Parker, putting the Rams up 21-10, spelling doom and gloom for the Black Bears.

And that is when second-year running back Josh Mack, who carried the ball four times for 32 yards to start the next drive, including a long 23-yarder into Rhode Island territory. Ferguson found fourth-year receiver Marquise Adams to keep the drive alive on third down. The Black Bears plugged away and capped it off with a five-yard touchdown pass to fourth-year receiver Jared Osumah, bringing the score to 21-17.

Whatever adjustments Maine made on defense worked, as they forced a three and out on the next drive. Then came the fireworks.

Third-year punt returner Micah Wright, normally one to call for a fair catch with opposing gunners barrelling down on him, decided to take off, flashing fancy footwork to make both defenders miss and flying down for a 77-yard touchdown return. The extra point was missed, but it was more than enough for the Black Bears to take the lead, 23-21 with 1:02 left in the half.

Maine started off the second half with a bang. On the opening drive, Mack had three separate carries to go 10 or more yards, including a 37-yard run into Rhode Island territory on the first play of the half. The third such run resulted in yet another touchdown, as Mack scampered in from 16 yards out to run the score to 30-21 Black Bears.

The offense continued to roll for Maine. After forcing yet another punt, Ferguson led the Black Bears on a 12-play, 83-yard drive that ended with him floating a little pass to Reed in the back of the end zone from eight yards out to extend the lead to 37-21. It was the second Ferguson to Reed connection of the day.

The defense stepped up even farther on the next Rhode Island possession. Second-year defensive end Kayon Whitaker forced a strip sack on Lawson, recovering the fumble on the Rams’ 12-yard line. After a false start and a holding penalty pushed the Black Bears back to the 27, followed up by an eight-yard run to set up a third and 17, Ferguson found second-year wide receiver Earnest Edwards down the seam for a 19-yard touchdown to put the game out of hand, 44-21 with 2:40 to go in the third.

Rhode Island was forced to punt on the next possession. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty put the ball at the Rhode Island 42, the Black Bears went into their bag of tricks, as Ferguson connected to Reed for the third time in the game on a flea-flicker from 42 yards out to bring the score to 51-21.  

Rhode Island would score once more, on a six-yard pass from Lawson to Beauvais to cut into the deficit 51-27. That would be the score when the horn sounded at the end of the game.

Mack finished with 248 yards on 30 carries, while Ferguson went 18-28 for 214 yards and five touchdowns on the day, with Reed leading the receiving corps with 123 yards and three touchdowns.

The Black Bears will take on the University of Albany Saturday, Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Albany, N.Y. The Rams head back to Kingston, R.I. for their homecoming matchup against Elon University at noon on Saturday.

The University of Maine cross country teams were back in action on Friday at home. On a hot sticky afternoon, they picked up a split with archrival University of New Hampshire.

On the women’s side, third-year Hailey Lawrence finished in 19:09, a time that was good for her first career first-place finish. Despite Lawrence’s strong finish, the Black Bears (0-2) fell to the Wildcats (1-1) by a score of 23-36. First-year Emma Jourdain finished in fourth with a time of 19:41. Fourth-year Cassandra Howard ran her final meet in Orono, and made the most of it. Howard placed eighth with a time of 20:04, a personal best at the university course. Third-years Hope and Faith Gardner finished neck and neck, taking 14th and 15th place respectively and finishing within five seconds of each other.  

Lawrence spent the summer training for this season by running the peaks at Acadia National Park. The conditions for this meet, however, were vastly different from what she had been working in.

“It’s a different feel [from how I trained], but I know this course well,” Lawrence said.

On the men’s side, the Black Bears (1-1) dominated the early parts of the races before the Wildcats could make it interesting.

Third-year Aaron Willingham led the way for the Black Bears, finishing the five mile race in first place with a time of 25:54. This was the first meet victory in Willingham’s collegiate career. Maine would take four spots in the top five, with second-year Jake Terry taking second with a time of 26:06, third-year Josh Horne taking third at 26:16 and third-year Dan Lesko taking fifth at 26:37.

New Hampshire would stay in the meet with a few crucial finishes of their own. Second-year Nicolas Ochoa-Sevilla finished in fourth, and the Wildcats would take spots 6 through 11 before third-year Simon Powhida took 12th place for Maine’s final scorer.

Willingham is optimistic about the team’s performance moving forward.

“Now that we have seen how well we can run at this humidity, maybe we could do something even better next week against better competition,” Willingham said.

Maine will be back in action next Friday for the Battle of Beantown down in Boston. New Hampshire will also be in Boston on Friday for the Boston Coast to Coast meet in Franklin Park. These two schools will face off in the New England Championships on Oct. 7.

The University of Maine (2-4-1) was back in action on Thursday at Mahaney Diamond, and the struggles continued, falling to Bryant University (4-1-1) 2-1 on Thursday.

Maine got on the board early when second-year midfielder Nicole Bailey took a pass from fourth-year midfielder Kendra Ridley through the middle, finishing past Bryant’s fourth-year goalkeeper Rachel Brightman for her first goal of the season, giving the Black Bears a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

The Bulldogs would answer back in the 29th minute. Third-year forward Alison Guilmette would find second-year forward Remi Manna on a cross from the left toward the near post. Manna would head one in past Maine’s second-year goalkeeper Annalena Kriebisch to tie the score at one.

Bryant would put the nail in the coffin in the 77th minute. Kriebisch floundered on a 2 on 1, leaving the net wide open for second-year midfielder Marissa Grasso to put it away for the 2-1 win.  

The Black Bears mustered some opportunities, outshooting the Bulldogs 10-8 on the afternoon. In the end, Bryant did more with the opportunities they had.

Bryant will square off with Binghamton University on Friday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.

Black Bears come out on top against Marist

Maine returned to action on Sunday at Mahaney Diamond, downing Marist College 2-1.

The Black Bears would strike first in the eighth minute. Second-year midfielder Kayla Brace was tripped up in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. She converted the kick, scorching one past Marist’s (3-4) fourth-year goalkeeper Ashley Houghton to give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

Marist would strike back on a goal that created a high level of confusion for everyone involved: the players, the coaches, even the linesman, who was supposed to give an indication that it went in, did not know what exactly what happened. First-year defenseman Nicole Sasso, one of the players involved in the scrum and the one credited with the goal, was not quite sure how to explain it, with adrenaline pumping during the game

“It was a great pass. I went up for it, but it was too high over my head. Someone behind me, I think it was [second-year midfielder] Alexa Svensson just put it back into play. It hit my chest and went in. I think someone hit it with their hand. I guess the side referee saw it go in, but the center referee did not,” Sasso said.

Maine captain, Ridley, had a take on it based on what she was told from the referee.

“He said the first touch wasn’t in, and we cleared it, but not all the way. Then they came in and knocked it back it. It was a tough call because of the scramble, but we came back from it,” Ridley said.

The end result of that scramble was Marist tying the game at 1-1.

In the second half, the Black Bears flipped the script with style of play. They played conservatively in the first, trying for possession. In the second half, they raised the intensity.

“They had a real distinct pattern. They like to press the ball, especially as it switched. Our mindset was to bypass midfield initially to back them up. We were anticipating them to play a certain way, and they did, so our adjustments came yesterday,” Head Coach Scott Atherley said.

This was not the best game for the Red Foxes, but they had certain advantages, especially outshooting the Black Bears 14-6, including 10-3 in the first half.

“We did a lot of good things, but I thought they put pressure on us and simple mistakes killed us. Second half, we came after them, but they bunkered in well. We just didn’t get the opportunities,” Marist Head Coach Gene Smith said.

Maine will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 16 against Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y., for a 1 p.m. start time. Marist will be taking on the University of Vermont on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. in Burlington, Vt.   

The Black Bears were looking to get back in the win column, as they headed to New York to take on Stony Brook on Saturday. It would not happen, as Maine dropped the first game of the doubleheader 6-3.

A pitchers’ duel between Maine’s third-year right hander Jonah Normandeau and Stony Brook’s second-year right hander Brett Clarke went three innings, as both pitchers traded zeros. The Seawolves would draw first blood in the fourth inning, when fourth-year first baseman Casey Baker began the inning by launching a solo home run to center, his fourth on the year, making the score 1-0.

Stony Brook would add another run in the fifth with another solo home run, this one off the bat of first-year designated hitter Michael Wilson, to lead off the inning. The homer, Wilson’s fourth of the season, made it 2-0 Seawolves.

Maine would jump on the board in the sixth. Fourth-year right fielder Tyler Schwanz launched a solo homer of his own, his fourth, to cut the Black Bear deficit in half, 2-1.

The wheels would fall off in the sixth, as Stony Brook struck back in a big way. Third-year third baseman Bobby Honeyman led off the inning with a double, moving up to third on a ground out. Second-year right fielder Dylan Resk drew a walk with ball four getting to the backstop, allowing Honeyman to come home, making the score 3-1 Seawolves. Another walk was drawn by third-year left fielder Andruw Gazzola and that was it for Normandeau.

First-year Cody Lawyerson came in to relieve. After getting a flyout for the second out, Lawyerson walked the next two batters, bringing in Resk to make the score 4-1. Second-year catcher Sean Buckhout followed up with a double to left, plating two and extending the score to 6-1.

Maine tried to stage a rally in the seventh. First-year first baseman Hernen Sardinas led off with a double. Second-year second baseman Caleb Kerbs flew out to center, plating Sardinas and making the score 6-2. First-year third baseman Cody Pasic launched the fourth homer of the game between the two teams, a solo shot that made the score 6-3.

After a pitching change, second-year shortstop Jeremy Pena singled. Second-year left fielder Colin Ridley drew a walk to keep the threat alive. Third-year Christopher Bec grounded into a double play, killing the rally.

Normandeau was hung with the loss, going 5.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits with five walks and three strikeouts, falling to 1-5 this season. Clarke improved to 3-3 for the Sea Wolves after giving up three runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out five.

Black Bears swept in doubleheader

The Black Bears tried to salvage the twin bill in game two against Stony Brook from Stony Brook, New York. It would not happen, as they dropped game two 4-3.

Maine struck first this time around in the top of the first. Pena led off with a triple. Bec laced a one-out double to plate Pena and give the Black Bears a 1-0 lead.

Maine would add a run in the top of the second. Third-year center fielder Brandon Vicens led off the inning by showing some opposite field power, bombing his first homer of the season to right and extending the Black Bear lead to 2-0.

Stony Brook answered back in the bottom of the third. Fourth-year centerfielder Toby Handley launched his fourth home run of the season off of Maine’s starter, second-year right hander Nick Silva. The homer cut the Black Bear lead in half, 2-1.

Maine would answer back in the top of the fourth. Third-year catcher Jonathan Bennett led off with a single. After a pop out, first-year first baseman Hernen Sardinas laced a double to right center, scoring Bennett from first and making the score 3-1 Black Bears.

Stony Brook answered in the sixth. Fourth-year first baseman Casey Baker led off with a double. Second year right fielder Dylan Resk then launched his 11th homer of the season, a two-run shot that knotted the game at 3-3.

The game ended up going extras and Stony Brook only needed one to put the game on ice. Gazzola led off with a single off of fourth-year right hander Jeff Gelinas. First-year shortstop Nick Grande drew a walk. With two outs, Gelinas had more costly control issues. Fourth-year catcher David Real was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Handley walked on four pitches, bringing in Gazzola to win the game for the Seawolves.

Silva went five innings, giving up three runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts. First-year right hander Brian Hermann went six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts for the Seawolves in a no decision.

The Black Bears will look to avoid getting swept on Sunday from Joe Nathan Field.