The University of Maine women’s basketball team beat North Carolina 85-73 on Dec. 2 and Harvard 67-60 on Dec. 4.

Following tipoff, the contest between the Black Bears and North Carolina Tar Heels began as UMaine fourth-year point guard Tanesha Sutton broke the silence on the scoreboard, hitting a quick jump shot. Maine’s defense played well from the start, as second-year guard Dor Saar capitalized on a steal by draining a 3-pointer. Just a few minutes into the game, Maine held a 7-0 lead.

The Tar Heels offense sprung to life when fourth-year guard Paris Kea sank a 3-pointer. Just seconds afterward, Tar Heels third-year guard Stephanie Watts succeeded in a fastbreak and shot, bringing the score to 7-5. This was followed by a span of fouls and missed free throws from both teams.

With five minutes left, Tar Heels second-year center Janelle Bailey scored after a rebound. UMaine second-year guard Kelly Fogarty responded with a 3-pointer, bringing the score to 10-6.

Maine cruised through the first half of play, sending the Tar Heels to the locker room down 44-32. Watts, Bailey and Kea finished the night in the double digits for scoring, but despite their strong effort they couldn’t stand up to the Black Bears’ keen shooting and vigorous play.

On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Black Bears traveled down to Cambridge, Massachusetts to take on the Harvard Crimson. Sutton, following suit from Maine’s last contest, gave the Black Bears the first lead of the night off a strong drive to the hoop. The Black Bears continued to score, as third-year guard Blanca Millan hit a string of 3-pointers, which kept them in the lead by 11 points. But in the second quarter there was a scoring run lead by Harvard fourth-year guard Nani Redford which resulted in six uninterrupted points, reducing Maine’s lead to seven. Although Harvard’s domination continued in later quarters, their extensive fouling in the second half of the game eventually gave UMaine the advantage, allowing the Black Bears to rebuild their lead with less than seven minutes left in the game.

Along with the 67-60 victory, the Black Bears brought home new records. Millan is the 20th Black Bear in the history of the team to rack up 1,000 points. Millan is also only one steal away from tying seventh on UMaine’s all-time steals list.

The match against Harvard was also a second straight nine-assist performance for Saar. The fourth-year guard set a record for herself by contributing a career-high 10 points.

The Black Bears had a short break following their two game road series before hosting the Brown University Brown Bears on Saturday, Dec 8.

Maine, for the first time since 1997, scored over 100 points against a fellow Division I opponent. Leading the charge for the Black Bears was Millan once again, who put up a career-high 36 points on the Brown Bears, including five baskets from beyond the arc.

Though Millan’s performance was mighty, fourth-year forward Erika Steeves carried the Brown Bears with 30 points, including seven 3-pointers.

Both individual efforts made for career games, however Maine’s team collectively outplayed Brown, securing the overtime victory by a final score of 102-96.

The Black Bears’ next contest is on Saturday, Dec. 15 against North Carolina State University.

The University of Maine Black Bears hosted the Northeastern University Huskies on Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17. After a 3-1 loss, the Black Bears came back the following night and tied the Huskies 3-3.

Right away the heat of this rivalry was clear. Plays were physical and fast paced within the first few minutes of the game and the Huskies were not shy in their assault, firing a first shot at UMaine’s goal within thirty seconds.

First-year forward Chloe Aurard scored Northeastern’s first goal of the night off of an assist from fourth-year forward Kasidy Anderson after just twelve minutes of action. The last of three shots taken following the end of a Northeastern power play, the goal was Aurard’s fifth on the season. Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the remainder of the period, with both teams combining for eight shots on goal.

At the drop of the puck in the second period, Maine’s offense went to work, taking seven shots within the first five minutes of the period to Northeastern’s zero. Huskies’ second-year goalie Aerin Frankel, along with her defensive lines, held strong throughout the barrage, making Maine unable to score.

The strength of the Huskies’ defense proved to be a deciding factor in the contest, as the Huskies were able to stop five shots during a Maine power play. Huskies fourth-year defender, Maddie Hartman, gave the Black Bears a power play on a hooking call. Both teams accrued a penalty immediately afterwards. However, Northeastern eventually did respond with a goal scored by first-year forward Alina Mueller. The goal came off a faceoff, and marked her eighth goal for the season.

For the remainder of the period, Northeastern fired eleven shots at UMaine’s goal, which either went high and wide or were blocked by an improved Black Bear defense. Northeastern first-year forward Gillian Foote received a penalty for closing a hand around the puck with roughly five minutes left in the period. The ensuing power play was the perfect opportunity for Maine, and the Black Bears went back to work on offense.

First-year forward Celine Tedenby was the first to create some offense on the power play, firing a shot that hit the crossbar. The Black Bears were only able to fire two more shots before their power play ended, and left their opponent’s zone empty handed once again.

With less than three minutes to go in the period, Maine’s first-year defender Ida Press was called for an interference, giving the Huskies another two minute power play. With under a minute left to play, following two missed shots by the Huskies, Mueller found the back of the net once again, giving the Huskies a 3-0 lead heading into the final period of play.

In the third period UMaine’s first goal was scored Tedenby, wrapping up another strong Maine offensive series resulting in five total shots on goal. Maine, riding the momentum of their goal, went on an offensive spree, out shooting Northeastern 19 shots to six over the entire period. Tedenby led Maine’s only other successful scoring attack, as Frankel and Northeastern’s defense tightened their protection of the net until the final horn sounded to end the game.

Maine skated back onto the ice Saturday afternoon with determination, forcing Northeastern into overtime in an impressive contest.

After finding their rhythm on offense in the third period the night beforehand, the Black Bears came out firing once more, but gave the Huskies four power plays. Maine’s third-year goalie Carly Jackson and her defensive lines held off the Huskies’ attacks long enough for Maine to come back to full strength each time.

With three minutes left in the first period, Maine made their way onto the scoreboard, as third-year forward Lydia Murray found the back of the net, with an assist from fourth-year forward Cailey Hutchison. Hitting a strong groove, the Black Bears offense continued to play deep into the Huskies’ zone, firing four errant shots on Northeastern’s goal before third-year forward Tereza Vanisova finally managed to slip one past. The period closed out with two more shots on goal by Maine, but neither found their mark.

Nearly halfway into the second period, Aurard scored her team’s first goal, bringing the score to 2-1. Fourth-year defender Alyson Matteau, a veteran leader for the Black Bears, led the charge on regaining the team’s two goal lead, successfully finding the back of the net with just over five minutes left to play in the period.

Northeastern first-year forward Mia Brown’s first collegiate goal came under two minutes later, bringing the overall score to 3-2. UMaine attempted three more shots before the end of the period.

The third period opened with a penalty against UMaine for hitting after the whistle, resulting in a Huskies power play and a face off won by Northeastern. Aurard scored again just after the end of the Huskies’ power play, tying the teams with three goals apiece. Desperate to break the tied game in hopes of tying the series, the Black Bears went back to work on offense, out shooting the Huskies 16 to seven for the remainder of the period. Both teams’ were unable to produce a goal, and as the buzzer sounded at the end of the third period, preparation for overtime began.

Granted only five minutes of play for the overtime period, defensive strength told the tale for the fourth and final period, as both teams combined for only eight shots on goal. None of the eight found their mark, and Northeastern skated off the ice with a victory and tie to wrap up the series. After beating Dartmouth twice, with identical scores of 4-1, on Friday Nov. 24 and Saturday Nov. 25, the Black Bears get ready for a series at the University of Vermont on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

On Nov. 4, The University of Maine defeated the Holy Cross College Crusaders in a crushing win of 8-0. The Black Bears then suffered a defeat in Providence, Rhode Island with a score of 3-1 on Nov. 9.

The first period of the Sunday contest against Holy Cross was the liveliest part of the game for UMaine, as they scored five of their eight on the night.

After a penalty, a power play and three attempted shots, second-year defender Anna Zikova scored the first goal during a power play. She was assisted by second-year defender Taylor Leech and third-year forward Vendula Pribylova. Barely five minutes after the puck was dropped to start the game, UMaine found themselves up 1-0. Just two minutes later, the Black Bears struck again as Pribylova scored with the assistance of first-year forward Ali Beltz and third-year defender Ebba Stranberg.

Halfway through the first period, first-year forward Ida Press scored the third goal for UMaine during a power play, assisted by fourth-year defender Alyson Matteau and third-year forward Lydia Murray. After a minor penalty against UMaine for elbowing, fourth-year forward Cailey Hutchison scored their fourth point with the assistance of Zikova and Leech. Five minutes later Murray scored, bringing it to 5-0 at the end of the first period.

In the second period UMaine came out shooting, taking four shots at the Holy Cross goal within the first two minutes, none managing to find the back of the net. Just before the three-minute mark, second-year forward Maddie Giordano scored her first career goal, assisted by Beltz. Afterward, Holy Cross fended off UMaine with new vigor, blocking five shots, winning more face-offs and scoring two power plays off of Maine penalties for interference and cross checking.

While the Crusaders fought with new energy, shutting Maine down offensively, their efforts eventually broke down, as Hutchison found the back of the net for the Black Bears’ seventh unanswered goal. Holy Cross then went on the offensive, firing five shots at UMaine’s goal. But the defense was well prepared, blocking four, and second-year goalie Loryn Porter saved the fifth. Then just before the end of the second period Murray scored the eighth goal, assisted by second-year forward Daria Tereshkina and Press.

Neither team was able to score in the third period, as the game was all but over due to the Black Bears’ offensive mastery in the first two periods. Holy Cross fought valiantly, firing a total of twelve shots throughout the period. Maine continued to play tight defense, blocking or otherwise stopping every shot taken by the Crusaders. UMaine also fired more than their share, the strongest effort by players came within the final minutes with a face-off and four shots in quick succession. None of those shots found the net leaving the score at 8-0 at the end of the third period.

In Providence, Rhode Island the Black Bears faced off against the Providence College Friars. UMaine saw its first and only goal within the first six minutes when Tereza Vanisova scored with the assistance of Beltz and Matteau.

The Friars came out shooting, with nine shots in the first ten minutes, winning several face-offs against UMaine. Nearly halfway through the first period, the first goal for the Friars was scored by third-year forward Neve Van Pelt with the assistance of fourth-year forward Cassidy MacPherson. The second period was dominated by numerous face-offs won by Vanisova and a rapid-firing of shots by UMaine. Those not saved by Friars’ fourth-year goalie Madison Myers flew wide or ricocheted off of the cage. Fourth-year defender Kate Friesen scored the second point for Providence, bringing the score to 2-1 at the end of the second period.

Despite a total of fourteen shots by UMaine in the third period and numerous, grinding faceoffs, UMaine was unable to score. Maine Head Coach Richard Reichenbach pulled Porter from the goal and sent six attackers onto the ice in an attempt to decrease the deficit, but the move ended up hindering the Black Bears, as Friars fourth-year forward Christina Putigna scored a goal on the empty net, bringing the ending score to 3-1.

After a tie (2-2) last week between the University of Maine and the University of Connecticut, the UMaine Black Bears defeated the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (4-3) on Nov. 2. But the River Hawks bit back with a 1-0 victory in the finale match the following night.

The River Hawks scored four minutes into the Friday match when a shot by Lowell first-year defensemen Chase Blackmun flew into UMaine’s net. The shot was assisted by first-year forward Sam Knoblauch. This was followed by aggressive attempts by UMaine to chase down the puck as it dashed between Lowell players. The River Hawks showed early on signs that they were superior in speed and agility. This set the stage for a contest of Lowell’s cunning over UMaine’s brute force.  

Kicking off the second period in quick fashion, Knoblauch found the back of the Black Bears’ net just 30 seconds in. Now down 2-0, the Black Bears rallied, with third-year forward Chase Pearson leading the way, the Black Bears’ offense launched a vicious attack against the River Hawks. Once the puck found its mark, the Black Bears went on a scoring spree, resulting in three goals within the span of five minutes. Pearson, one of the top scorers for the last game against the University of Connecticut, followed up his strong performance by scoring two of the three goals.

The third goal of the five-minute frenzy was scored by third-year UMaine forward Patrick Shea. The shot was made during a power play, following a face-off between UMaine third-year forward Tim Doherty and UMass second-year forward Charlie Levesque. Afterward, the Black Bears scored once more with roughly fifteen minutes left in the second the period. Doherty scored a fourth goal bringing the score to 4-2 for UMaine.

UMaine managed to avoid penalties until the third period where they started off by receiving two minutes for hooking. The Black Bears and River Hawks remained locked at 4-2 with UMaine missing five shots in the early part of the period and successful blocks by UMass players Charlie Levesque and Croix Evingson. After a missed shot by UMaine third-year Ryan Smith and a face-off, UMass Lowell scored the final goal for the game. It was scored within the last seventeen minutes by UMass freshman Lucas Condotta with assistance by Chris Schutz, bringing the score to 4-3.

In an effort to increase the offensive, the UMass goal stood empty for the final three minutes. It was a golden opportunity that the Black Bears put all their energy into exploiting. With several shots and aggressive face-offs, UMaine hammered at the Lowell side of the ice. Once again their speed and agility proved effective. Despite impressive defense by UMass Lowell, it kept them far too busy to score the final point that would’ve made it a tie game.

The following Saturday at the Alfond, the River Hawks were out for revenge, but the Black Bears didn’t make it easy.

The first period began with an energetic series of alternating shots and face-offs, along with an early penalty against UMaine for hooking. Despite vigorous efforts from both teams and shot after shot being rocketed at the nets, neither team appeared on the scoreboard for both the first and second period. Some shots went wide, others were saved and some glanced off the goalie cage. It was a tight deadlock between two very stubborn teams.

The first and only goal of the game was scored by River Hawk second-year forward Connor Sodergren with assists by Levesque, leading to their win over UMaine with a score of 1-0.

UMaine’s Men’s ice hockey team will be hitting the road for matches against Boston University before hosting Quinnipiac University on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.

On a weekend where the spotlight primarily focused on football, the University of Maine women’s ice hockey team beat the University of New Hampshire Wildcats on Friday with a final score of 5-3.

Right out of the gate the Black Bears took control of the game, as second-year forward Michelle Weis fired the puck past Wildcats’ second-year goalie Ava Boutilier just two minutes into the first period, notching her first goal of the season.

The Black Bears didn’t ease off the throttle from there, as third-year forward Vendula Pribylova took advantage of a power play, finding the back of the net to put UMaine up 2-0. Pribylova was assisted by first-year defender Ida Press, for her fourth goal on the season.

The Wildcats managed to get on the scoreboard thanks to third-year forward Meghara McManus, who won a faceoff and single handedly got past the Black Bears’ defenders for the goal. Tying the game just before the end of the first period, third-year forward Nicole Dunbar found the back of the net on a shot assisted by fellow third-year forward Carlee Turner.

With both goalies facing heavy pressure, UMaine and UNH tightened up their defenses in the second period, allowing zero goals through the first 17 minutes of action. Breaking the deadlock was UMaine first-year forward Celine Tedenby, who scored with the assistance of Press, marking her second goal for the season.

In the final period of play, UMaine third-year forward Tereza Vanisoza scored her sixth goal of the season with an assist from Weis, putting the Black Bears up 4-2.

Neither team managed to be productive offensively until the last minute of the game, when UNH redshirt third-year forward Taylor Wenczkowski scored off of a pass from fourth-year forward Devan Taylor. With under a minute to play and the score at 4-3, the Wildcats pulled their goalie and had six attackers on the ice to try and score the tying goal. However, the Black Bears’ third-year defender Brittany Colton had other ideas, scoring on the empty net with the assistance of fourth-year defender Alyson Matteau. Sealing the fate of the long time rival UNH, the Black Bears both on the ice and in the stands roared, kicking off homecoming weekend with a bang.

This was yet another win in a spectacular season for the Black Bears so far, now with a total of seven wins. At the start of the season, this success was attributed by head coach Richard Richenbach to a nurturing of fundamentals.

This rang true in the preparation for the game against New Hampshire with the emphasis in training on more aggressive play that games against UNH always demonstrate. “Our defensive players will practice without sticks to train for that more physical contact or we’ll create more situations with physical contact.” Richenbach said.

He added that there was a lot of anticipation for the match since it was the first time facing UNH for the first-year players. “No matter what type of season we’re having as a group, it’s always something we look forward to and it was nice for the freshmen to get a taste of that.”

Vanisova also stated that UNH played very aggressively, with many unofficial slashes and slander being spouted by the Wildcats. But she said she enjoyed the challenge and that it got her revved up for the contest.

“The goalie was slashing at us and yelling at us.” Vanisova said. Speaking on keeping energy up in times when the scoring was low, she added, “Our motivation is to win.”

The next tilt for the Black Bears is on the road against Merrimack College on Nov. 2.

After winning Beast of the East in Rhode Island in 2017, an event spanning from April 14-15 of 2018, the University of Maine’s men’s rugby team went on to defeat Framingham State University and Salem State University during the weekend long tournament. This launched them into the fifth-ranked spot in the nation by the National Small College Rugby Organization.

Despite these victories, scrub-half Nathan Bradstreet indicated that it was a hard year after losing a significant amount of members, as roughly 15-20 fourth-years graduated. Other players left the team due to their busy college schedules.

“We sort of had to find ourselves again and I think we’re going to do a lot better this year,” Bradstreet said.

He was optimistic because a lot of the players with at least a year under their belt were coming back and they kept some veterans from last year who are leading the team toward a revival. Among these returners he named are the current presidents of the club: Preston Spear, Andy Martel and Mitchell DelFrate.

To encourage young members to join, the club actively recruits new members, and often participates in many organization promoting fairs on campus.

As always, they hope to win the National Collegiate Rugby Tournament in Colorado, which they came only one game away from winning last year.

Bradstreet also indicated that the Rugby Club is a good, friendly environment and that anyone who joins will feel like, per Bradstreet’s words,  “one of the boys.” He called his teammates “characters” and spoke fondly of the playoffs.

Club President Preston Spear highly recommends rugby for anyone looking to play a team sport.

“I had an older brother play in college and I was able to watch a few of his games. At first I didn’t know if it was for me but after being in college for a year I decided that I wanted to get back into a team sport so I tried rugby,” Spear said.

Despite the intimidation factor of going into a contact sport without padding, Preston is quick to encourage any newcomers to join.

“Rugby teaches you how to protect your body both when getting hit and getting tackled and leads players to feel more comfortable on the field,” Preston said.

He added that most of the players coming in have never played before or haven’t played for a few years.

On Saturday Sept., 22, UMaine lost to the University of Maine Farmington Beavers at Farmington with an ending score of 41-7. According to UMF’s Daily Bulldog, the Black Bears were impressed and surprised by the Beaver’s experience. Despite this, the Black Bears’ rugby team pressed on to matches against the University of New Hampshire, Maine Maritime Academy, Bowdoin College, Colby College and Bates College. Practices are held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. on Lengyl Field. Men of all skill levels are welcome.

Outside of the practice environment, the club operates as a friend group, so anybody with any degree of interest in rugby should join, adding to an already expansive team. The team goes to the gym together, constantly in a push to improve themselves and the team.

After rousing victories in Boston and Connecticut, the University of Maine field hockey team found themselves facing Cornell on Moulton Winder Field in Vermont on Sept. 14.

Right away the Black Bears showed themselves as a force to be reckoned with, wearing down the turf on Cornell’s side of the field and giving spectators a long look at Cornell’s goal. Maine’s passes flew with machine-like precision in tight diamonds which sent the ball speeding past Cornell’s defenders time and time again. When Cornell made their charges toward Maine’s goal, Black Bear defenders grappled aggressively, thwarting their efforts without mercy.

The first goal was made by midfielder Riley Field, who finished last season with a total of 2 goals on 13 shots. The next attempt by UMaine was stopped by Cornell goalkeeper, Maddie Henry, during a penalty-induced corner shot. Henry also saved a shot by forward Brianna Ricker. Despite proving herself a solid opponent for the Black Bears, Henry couldn’t stop the shot during the next penalty corner. The goal was made by back player Nina Keur with the assistance of middle field player Libby Riedl, bringing the score to 2-0. Near the halfway point of the first half there were four penalty corners for UMaine where Libby Riedl and back player Samantha Wagg had four of their shots blocked before Cornell called for a time out.

In the second half of the first period, Henry was once again a firm wall, hindering UMaine’s next step to victory by skillfully blocking the shot made by midfielder Casey Crowley. However, at the next penalty corner initiated by back player Emily Hindle, the ball was sent flying into the goal by Hannah Davis, further securing a UMaine’s victory by improving the score to 3-0.

Ricker took the first shot of the second period, which was saved by Henry. Then, on the ensuing penalty corner, Henry blocked the shot once again. Others on Cornell’s defense had grown desperate as another save was made by midfielder Kirsten Pienaar. Cornell still had energy and gusto, but despite their best defensive effort UMaine struck again with a goal by midfielder Lydia Gavner, and an assist by Keur. The score was now 4-0 with Cornell players still unable to make a dent in UMaine’s solid defense. Both of Cornell’s shots against UMaine, one during regular play and the other during a penalty corner, were easily blocked by goalkeeper Mia Borley.

With two minutes left, Crowley, assisted by Ricker, scored the fifth goal, leaving Cornell in the bitter dust of defeat, giving the University of Maine another victory in their glorious campaign. The six victories in a row mark the team’s best start since 1975, attributed to offensive balance and team spirit.