After a rough 2-10 start to the season for the University of Maine softball team, the Black Bears have rebounded to go 5-3 in their last eight games.

How you start a season is important, but how you end it has even more impact. Despite an overall record of 7-13, the Black Bears’ in-conference record sits at 4-2. That leaves the team tied for second in the conference, following only Stony Brook who hashave remained undefeated in conference games. For a season that seemed to be going off the rails in March, the team looks like they’re to recouping their losses in order to show up strong for the America East conference in May.

This past weekend on April 10 and 11, Maine won their second straight series against an America East opponent. Maine went on to win two of three games against the University of Hartford.

The first inning of the first game saw Maine coming hot out of the gates. Second-year first baseman Izzy Nieblas kicked off the scoring by driving in third-year left fielder Emma Larke with a single. Third-year shortstop Kelby Drews followed this up with a double that drove in two runs to make it 3-0. Third-year catcher Keely Clark would drive in Drews to make the score 4-0 Maine after one inning. Fourth-year pitcher Kyleigh O’Donnell’s performance allowed Maine to ride that first inning explosion to a 5-2 victory. O’Donnell struck out nine batters and only surrendered two runs while pitching a complete game.

The second game on Saturday saw the script flip, and this time Hartford blew out Maine 10-1 in a shortened five-inning game. Maine’s lone run came in the first inning.

Nieblas hit a sac fly, driving in third-year outfielder Kya Enos, to tie the game 1-1. The game got away from Maine in the third inning when Hartford put up four runs. The competition snowballed for Maine and was followed by a five-run fourth inning for Hartford. The Black Bears just could not seem to get it going offensively, managing only four hits in the game.

In the third and final game of the series, O’Donnell took to the mound and proved to be a dominant force. This time she struck out eight batters and only allowed one earned run. This performance from O’Donnell meant the offense did not have to do much for Maine to earn the win.

Kelby Drews scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning, hitting a solo home run to give Maine a 1-0 lead. This along with an RBI double by Clark saw Maine take a 2-1 lead after four innings. Enos added a run with a triple to put Maine up 3-1 in the fifth inning. The lone run for Hartford came in the sixth on a sac fly, but O’Donnell followed up her lone blemish by shutting down four straight batters to secure the win for Maine.

In the middle of the week, Maine traveled to Massachusetts to take on the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A rare mid-week doubleheader on a Tuesday resulted in a split, with UMass winning the first game and Maine taking the second. Both games were high scoring, with UMass outscoring Maine 19-15 across the two games.

The first game saw UMass ride an eight-run fifth inning to a 15-6 win. Second-year pitcher Caitlyn Fallon was tasked with slowing down the hot offense displayed by UMass in the second game of the doubleheader, and she did well. Despite a rocky second inning for Fallon, she stayed in the game and helped cool the UMass bats.

Maine;’s scoring was led by third-year outfielder Brianna Neely and Larke — both totaled three RBIs in Maine’s 9-4 win against UMass Amherst. Despite scoring 15 runs in the two games, Maine only hit two home runs on Tuesday. Both home runs came from Kelby Drews who hit one in each game. Drews totaled four RBIs in the two games and holds the team lead with six home runs on the season.

Up next for the Black Bears is a four game weekend series on the road in New York against Binghamton University. They will face Binghamton in two doubleheaders on Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18.

Hopefully, Maine can continue their newfound success in the month of April to help propel them to a spot in the America East tournament.

In four games against the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Maine baseball team’s offense had their best showing of the year thus far. In the series, the Black Bears outscored NJIT by an outstanding 41-15 clip.

On April 9, the first game of the doubleheader saw third-year pitcher Nick Sinacola take the mound for the Black Bears. Sinacola was one of 45 players in the nation selected for the midseason Golden Spikes award list over the past week. This award is given to the top amateur player in the country. Sinacola has an outstanding 1.42 ERA and has struck out 64 batters in 31.2 innings pitched. He has reached double digit strikeouts in all five of his starts. Sinacola struck out 10 batters across five innings against NJIT and picked up the win, advancing his record to 5-0 on the season.

He has proved time and time again that he is on a different level.

Maine’s offense heated up in the sixth inning with the game tied 2-2. With the bases loaded, fourth-year right fielder Sean Lawlor earned a walk, bringing in third-year centerfielder Jeff Mejia from third to put Maine up 3-2. Two singles and a sac fly extended Maine’s lead to 7-2 by the end of the inning. First-year second baseman Quinn McDaniel was able to knock in a run on a double in the seventh for good measure. The final score of the game ended 8-2.

The second game on Friday saw Maine’s offense continue to churn, but NJIT was more up to the task this time around.

Fourth-year first baseman Joe Bramanti hit a three-run home run in the first inning to give Maine a 3-0 lead. Third-year catcher Ryan Turenne went yard as well in the second inning, and an error by NJIT in the third inning saw the Black Bears take the lead to 6-0. NJIT fought back to eventually tie the game at 8-8 in the sixth inning, leading to a pivotal seventh inning.

McDaniel reached on an error and third-year left fielder Scout Knotts scored to give the Black Bears the lead again at 9-8.

NJIT responded, and a leadoff double put a runner in scoring position for them. A wild pitch from first-year pitcher Colton Carson sent the tying run to third, and the go ahead run to first.

Another wild pitch from Carson set up an advance for the runners again and tied the game. A single drove in the runner from second, and gave NJIT a 10-9 lead. Despite the high scoring, the last two innings would be scoreless and NJIT took the win with a final score of 10-9.

The first game on Saturday saw Maine’s offense continue to rake, and Maine’s fourth-year pitcher Alex McKenney threw a complete game. He only surrendered two hits against and his performance earned him the America East pitcher of the week award. McKenney got better as the game went on, shutting down the last eight batters he faced to end the game.

Maine’s offense heated up early again when Lawlor singled and drove in Mejia for the first run of the game. McDaniel would single as well, this time driving in Lawlor.

Third-year catcher Colby Emmertz drove in two runs on a single to give the Black Bears a 4-0 lead after the first. NJIT’s only run of the game came on a sac fly in the first inning. The Black Bears took the opportunity to run with this one, and the final score ended 10-1 in favor of Maine.

The Black Bears continued their form in the second game on Saturday.

NJIT kickstarted the scoring in the first on a sac fly, but the Black Bear’s’ fifth-year pitcher Matthew Pushard kept NJIT in check. He struck out seven batters across four innings. First-year pitcher Tyler Nielsen would pick up the win for Maine in relief for Pushard, striking out five batters across three innings.

The offense combined for a weekend-high 14 runs. Every batter for Maine either scored a run or batted one in. This complete team performance saw five UMaine batters score multiple RBIs, and five batters score multiple runs. This explosive offensive performance, and shutdown pitching saw Maine win 14-2.

Maine went 3-1 in the series, winning handily against NJIT. Maine’s record now sits at 11-8.

The Black Bears will look to continue their scoring ways in their next series when they take on the University of Hartford on Saturday, April 17-18 for a triple-header.

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

Stop wasting your time trying to mend a relationship that will never heal. Despite the joy and comfort that person once brought you, that time has passed. Give thanks for the good times, but then prepare to move on. Pretending that nothing is wrong will only cause greater harm to you and your partner.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

Having someone to count on is a wonderful feeling, but always relying on them can be dangerous. Take some time to examine the relationship. Have you become dependent on this person? Find a healthy way to become your own person while having your partner continue to support you.

Gemini (May 21 – June 22)

Nothing hurts more than the feelings of rejection and betrayal. A time of suffering has arrived. As the days grow dark, seek shelter. Use this time to rest, recover, and heal from past heartbreak. When the shine begins to shine again, emerge with the intention of growing into a better version of yourself.

Cancer (June 23 – July 21)

Nothing compares to the feeling of being with that special person. Enjoy every moment of their company, but beware of others who may try to tear you apart. You are not the only one to see how special this person is. You deserve the happiness this person brings, do not let other people try to take it away from you.

Leo (July 22 – Aug. 23)

Time to leave a place that causes you great pain. Better days lie ahead, but first you must go through a journey of grief and healing. Learn from the past, but do not dwell on it. Despite the hardships you will face, you will find happiness. You deserve great things in life.

Virgo (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23)

As Valentine’s Day approaches do not engage in romantic endeavors for the sake of the holiday. Entering into a romantic relationship prematurely is reckless to do right now. Focus on building a strong foundation of trust to reduce the risk of catastrophe.

Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23)

Acknowledge the loss you have suffered and the pain it has left behind. Do not hide behind a mask of happiness if the feelings are not real. Being alone is part of the process of healing. Be patient and kind to yourself. Love and happiness will arrive in good time.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22)

Lean into the feeling of security provided by a special person. Begin looking towards the future and where you want to be with them. However, do not be deterred by any obstacles that may come your way in the present. The frustration from problems now won’t matter in the future. Do not let them break you and your partner apart.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21)

There will come a time in any relationship where there is a struggle for control. Such attempts can be intimidating. However, a closer look at their actions will show no threat. This display of power means something else underneath. Rather than fighting against each other for control, work together.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20)

A situation will arise where you must leave your logic behind and enter into a world of emotions. Your sense of intuition is well attuned to the romantic situation you will find yourself in. Acknowledge the emotions you feel, even if they go against what you are familiar with. If you are willing to listen to the intuition, you will find yourself being rewarded.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19)

Your relationship is out of balance. An excess of emotions stands between you and your partner. Do not take this as a sign to end the relationship. Instead, step back and evaluate the situation. Seek out a solution that will bring balance back to you and your loved one.

Pisces (Feb. 20 – March 20)

The time to make a difficult decision is fast approaching. There will be no clear correct answer, but that does not mean it should be a careless decision. No matter which path you choose to go down you must stay on. A door will close firmly behind you, for better or for worse.

Throughout the month of February, the University of Maine New Balance Student Recreation Center will be hosting an indoor triathlon for students and staff to take part in. The triathlon includes a 2-mile run, a 500-meter swim and a 6-mile bike ride. Students can check their place in the standings online as new competitors’ times will be logged each week. The first 20 participants to complete the event will be rewarded with a special T-shirt commemorating their accomplishment. With the triathlon celebrating Black History Month, the month of February provides enough time to maximize the number of participants while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Although you are not required to donate any money, a $10 donation is very much appreciated. All donations will be put toward the Recreation and Sports Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship. The goal of the event is to encourage students to become active in two ways — through competitive exercise among other university members, and by supporting students who are in Campus Recreation and Maine Bound programming.

“I wanted to organize an event to celebrate Black History Month. Although Black history should be celebrated year-round, the Indoor Sprint Triathlon for Social Change is a starting point in my personal and professional quest to offer more diversified programming,” Fitness and Aquatics Coordinator Adrianna Del Amo said. “The Recreation and Sports Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship is a new initiative that I am really excited about. We know that price can be a barrier to participation and I hope with this scholarship there is one less barrier, while fully acknowledging that more work needs to be done in the quest to make our programming as inclusive as possible and that just one scholarship is not the end all be all solution.”

Del Amo is committed to helping those in need by supporting this new scholarship to raise awareness for social change during Black History Month. 2020 shed a new light on many social justice issues, and social change is a theme that will stick with most people for the future that lies ahead. This new initiative aims to attract more students to UMaine and will help create a more diverse culture within the campus. For students who love to compete and stay fit, this event would be a perfect opportunity to participate in an event that benefits the UMaine community. If you would like to support the event’s diversity cause, contact Adrianna Del Amo at adrianna.delamo@maine.edu for more information, or visit the New Balance Recreation Center’s website.

 

 

 

Both the University of Maine men’s ice hockey and basketball teams were not cleared to play this weekend, but both the women’s basketball and hockey teams were. The women’s ice hockey team being cleared meant they were able to travel to Storrs, Connecticut to take on the University of Connecticut Huskies. Originally they were scheduled to play on Friday and Saturday, but a decision was made to cancel the Saturday game and only play the game scheduled for Friday. This change was most likely due to UMaine Athletics’ recent struggles with COVID-19.

UMaine went on to lose the game on Friday 3-0 to UConn. UConn controlled the play for the majority of the game, most notably in the first period in which they outshot Maine 18-9. However, UMaine fourth-year goalie Loryn Porter was up to the task and looked very sharp early. Her play allowed UMaine to head into the first intermission tied 0-0.

UConn would continue to press and eventually got rewarded for their work midway through the second period when fourth-year forward Natalie Snodgrass put a puck on net that finally found a way past the Black Bears’ Porter. A great pass from third-year UConn forward Viki Harkness gave Snodgrass a practically empty net to shoot at, and that is what it took to finally get one past Porter.

UMaine would fight back and put in a good effort, but they just never seemed to threaten UConn consistently enough. Third-year UConn goalie Sam Carpentier-Yelle would earn the shutout for the Huskies, her third on the season. Carpentier-Yelle put in a great performance, stopping all 29 of the Black Bears’ shots.

Late in the third period, UConn would strike two more times. With around five minutes left in the game, third-year UConn forward Danika Pasqua would beat goalie Porter and give UConn some breathing space as they finished out a solid team performance. With 20 seconds left in the game, third-year UConn forward Jada Habisch would score an empty netter to really put the nail in the coffin.

One thing that is important to note is that UMaine was playing this game with five fewer skaters than UConn. This advantage was noticeable when it came to observing the performance of each team. UConn seemed to have the fresher and faster skaters on the ice due to this advantage. The Black Bears were also missing some key players, such as leading scorer and second-year forward Ida Kuoppala, second-year defender Ella MacLean and third-year forward Liga Miljone. With valuable players missing, Friday’s game was an uphill battle from the start.

The UConn women’s team improved their record to 6-9-1, and they sit in fourth place in the Hockey East standings. UMaine’s record drops to 5-7, and they sit just two spots below UConn in sixth place. With both of these teams being middle of the pack in the Hockey East standings, it may be a matchup we see again in the first round of the Hockey East conference playoffs.

With the current move to announce the schedules the week of the games because of COVID-19, neither team knows who their next opponent will be or when their next game is. UConn has played 16 games, the second most in the 10 team conference. UMaine has played 12 games, the third least in the conference.

Super Bowl week is one of the most hyped-up times of the year for sports fans, especially if you are a Chiefs or Buccaneers fan this time around. In New England, early February has brought more than freezing temperatures over the last two decades. It has also brought exhilarating memories to a region of rabid sports fans.

Since 2000, the NFL’s annual Super Bowl has taken place on the first Sunday of February. In that time, the Patriots have advanced to nine Super Bowls, winning a record breaking six out of the nine games they played. Of these games, the 2017 Super Bowl which took place in Houston, Texas is one of the rare games that most fans remember where they were and with whom they celebrated.

While most are familiar with the fact that the Patriots came back from a 28-3 deficit, there are several interesting facets of this game that magnify the difficulty of the comeback and highlight the heights that can be reached by a team with incredible perseverance.

Firstly, the Patriots were recovering from a disheartening loss in the AFC Championship in 2015, in which a missed extra point cost what may have been another signature Patriots playoff victory. The Patriots went into 2016 with a sharpened focus aided by an experienced group of veteran leaders, including Rob Gronkowski, who completed a fourth-and-10 play on the final drive of the 2015 game.

In 2016 the Patriots qualified for the playoffs, but along the way Gronkowski was lost to injury. The Patriots adjusted their offense and defeated the Texans and Steelers on their way to the 2017 Super Bowl. However, as the game unfolded, they found themselves trailing 21-3 at halftime and 28-3 in the third quarter.

The Falcons estimated win probability was 99.8% with about six minutes remaining in the third quarter, according to ESPN. From that point on the Patriots needed to be near perfect while having almost everything go their way. In a game with seemingly countless game-changing plays, these fourth-quarter plays are most notable:

• Trailing 28-12, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower forced a fumble while sacking Falcons quaterback Matt Ryan. The Patriots needed to recover the ball, and in a 50-50 scrum, they did. Brady could be seen on the sideline exclaiming “our ball!” with the exuberance of a child discovering he has an hour more of daylight to play wiffle ball in the backyard.
• With the Falcons holding on to a 28-20 lead, an incredible catch by Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones seemingly sealed the game. It was another improbable catch versus the Patriots in a Super Bowl; fans recall David Tyree, Mario Manningham, and Jermaine Kearse snaring incredible grabs late in championship games putting the Patriots’ chances in jeopardy. However, in a surprising strategy, rather than running the ball and attempting a clinching field goal, the Falcons stayed aggressive and allowed a sack by Trey Flowers – eventually forcing them to punt.
• During that Falcons drive, Brady implored his teammates on the sideline to maintain a “laser focus.” When they gained possession after the Falcons’ punt, they were 91 yards and a 2-point conversion away from tying the game. On third and 10, Brady converted to wide receiver Chris Hogan while throwing from his own end zone. A few plays later, a miracle catch by Julian Edelman advanced the ball to midfield. The catch most certainly showed a laser focus as Edelman snared a tipped pass an inch from the ground while he and three defenders were falling to the ground. The drive ended in a tying touchdown.
• After forcing overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss and as they headed to the field Edelman can be remembered shouting to Brady, “Let’s go win this for your mom.” Brady’s mother had been battling cancer and was in attendance. The Patriots marched down the field and won the game on a 2-yard run by running back James White in which he incredulously broke several tackles. The touchdown run itself was a microcosm of the game, in which a never-give-up attitude was required, and every inch mattered.

Several records for a Super Bowl were set in that game, some of which have since been eclipsed.

•       Most games by a player: seven, Tom Brady
•       Most games by a coach: seven, Bill Belichick
•       Most games won by a quarterback: five, Tom Brady
•       Most games won by a coach: five, Bill Belichick
•       Most points in a game: 20, James White
•       Most passes in a game: 62, Tom Brady
•       Most completions in a game: 43, Tom Brady
•       Most passing yards in a game: 466, Tom Brady
•       Most receptions in a game: 14, James White
•       Largest deficit overcome by the winning team: 25 points, Patriots

The Patriots went on to the Super Bowl the following two seasons, winning one, and this year Brady has qualified for his 10th Super Bowl with the Buccaneers. Discounting his rookie season on the bench and the 2008 season in which he tore his ACL in the first quarter of the first game, Brady has advanced to the final game in an astounding 10 of 19 seasons.

Overall, the 2017 Super Bowl title stands alone as an ultimate story of team achievement. After a lost fumble and an interception seemingly had them buried, the team’s coaches and leaders did not give up. The sight of Falcons owner Arthur Blank on the sideline as his team’s grasp on the Lombardi trophy slipped away in torturous fashion showed the devastation of their loss. He had come down to the field to celebrate what appeared to be a sure championship. As Edelman predicted to Brady at halftime, “It’s going to be a great story.”

All nine of the Patriots Super Bowls have come down to the fourth quarter, and all but one has been decided by only one score. Brady has walked off the field in the fourth quarter having led the Patriots to a lead or a tie in all of them. This shows how close the Patriots are to having won all nine, but with all the games being so closely contested their 6-3 record seems fitting.

The sting of the Patriots 2020 season, their first losing campaign since 2000, only amplifies the success of the past twenty years. Now the quest is on for teams to match the feats of seasons past, and on Sunday, Brady stands as a contestor to the Chiefs’ budding dynasty.

 

 

At the moment we are sitting around what would normally be slightly past the midway point of the season and so far, the University of Maine women’s ice hockey season has had its ups and downs. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Hockey East standings with a 5-7 record, the Black Bears are far from the elites of the conference, trailing Northeastern and Boston College, but are also pretty clear of the cellar dwellers of the league like Holy Cross and Merrimack.

The Black Bears have big strengths and big weaknesses that have affected their season so far. Their biggest strength is their goaltending, with fourth-year goalie Loryn Porter putting on a phenomenal performance so far this season. Porter has the fourth best goals against average in Hockey East, only allowing 1.67 goals per game. She has had a much bigger workload than two of the goalies ranked ahead of her in that stat. She also ranks No. 3 in Hockey East in save percentage with an impressive 0.954 save percentage. Out of her competition, one goalie ahead of her in save percentage has only played three games, whilst Porter has played 12. An argument can be made that Porter is the best goalie in Hockey East this season when considering the teams around her, and especially when compared to the best goalie statistically in the conference, Aerin Frankel of Northeastern. Porter has been the biggest bright spot on the team, showcasing her talents in what is only her first year as a starter at the D1 college level.

The Black Bears’ biggest weakness is goal scoring, as they have totaled only 14 goals in 12 games. Compared to past feats, this year’s season hasn’t had spectacular success in scoring. Only one team in Hockey East has a worse goals per game; Merrimack has scored a total of 11 goals in 13 games. Second-year forward Ida Kuoppala carries the offense for UMaine, and when she is not on the ice, her teammates struggle. She has earned points on eight of the 14 UMaine goals this season. She leads the team with 8 points in 10 games, 4 points more than the next highest total on the team. Only three players on the Black Bears have scored more than 3 points this season. The lack of depth scoring has been costly, with the Black Bears losing four of their seven games by one goal. Five of their seven losses have been the result of a shutout.

As of late, the Black Bears have been trending downwards. They started the season 4-2 and were looking to build off that great start. However, they have been unable to maintain that momentum and have now lost five out of the last six games. Granted, three of those games were against Northeastern, who are currently the best team in Hockey East. Northeastern regularly ranks at the top of the league and is currently the third-ranked team in the country with a record of 13-1-1. Despite the challenge, the Black Bears must focus on their offense if they hope to improve their standing in America East.

Despite the rough patch they’ve hit recently, there are still a lot of reasons to be optimistic about the Black Bears. Their defense and goaltending have been great, and they are a tough team to play. A couple great examples of this are when UMaine pushed Northeastern into overtime for a 3-2 loss, and when they gave up only one goal in a previous game against the Huskies. Northeastern typically averages over four goals a game and blows a lot of teams out, but not UMaine. Northeastern has set the bar high in Hockey East, but UMaine has held their own in head-to-head games thus far. Currently, UMaine has the second lowest goals against per game in Hockey East of teams that have played at least 10 games, and if they can bolster the offensive plays from their depth players, they could easily right the ship and make some noise in the Hockey East playoffs. It is not unthinkable to believe that depth pieces will start to chip in more, and given the circumstances, a new star player could still emerge.

 

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Never turn away from the chance to learn something new this week. Focus on developing what you already know and follow the directions it takes you. In time, the hard work and dedication to learning will pay off.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

It’s time to move on from a personal relationship that no longer serves you. Something significant is missing from this relationship that lies in the next. Find the courage to make the changes necessary to better yourself.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Continue to push through the difficult times, don’t let life get the best of you. In times of hardship though, seek the eye of the storm to rest before continuing to fight. A moment of calm approaches, but do not be deceived. The fight is not over yet. Be strong, and have faith in your abilities.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

A feeling of anxiety consumes you. Do not let these feelings consume you. These feelings are not isolated to just you, others feel the same. One way to combat feelings of worry is to speak out about it. Reach out to a trusted friend.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Tensions are blooming between the expectations at work and home. This can make it feel like you are being pulled in too many directions. Step back and take a long look at both your home and job. See what changes need to be made to help bring balance back into your life.

Virgo ( Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Opposites attract and bring balance into the world. An unexpected union will bring about the balance you deserve. With this union comes honor and respect, as well as passion from the meeting of different energies.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

The passion and energy you feel right now have the potential to create great opportunities for you. However, be sure to take a moment to sit down and organize the plans. Forging ahead blindly will lead you down the wrong path. Travel into the unknown fearlessly, you are going to do great things.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

There comes a time when there is too much of a good thing in your life. Focusing solely on the easy parts of life can lead you to ruin. Neglecting the less appealing parts of your life will eventually affect every aspect of your life. Look back briefly to see what you have forgotten before continuing onward.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

A hard earned reward is just within reach, don’t give up now. Keep pushing forward when it seems like the resistance keeps growing against you. The end of your hard journey is almost over and a time for rest and rewards is due to arrive.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Exude authority when you officially step into your new position. Rule with a stern hand, yet share the wisdom and understanding you have gained during your times as a student. Listen to your mind instead of your heart.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

You are approaching the start of a new journey. Consider this week to be the moments of calm and innocence before embarking on a change. Change is scary, but do not shy away from it. Throw all the energy and passion into the coming days, but be conscious of the actions and their consequences.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

This week you will find yourself in an environment filled with luxury and emotional stability. Make the most of this time and take advantage of the joys around you right now. While others may perceive you as being selfish, do not be ashamed in taking what you deserve to help yourself grow.

 

Megan Ashe and Leela Stockley

 

Disclaimer: The votes that have been counted by 1 a.m. EST do not account for all the absentee and early voting ballots that were requested and submitted for the state and national election.

 

8 p.m.

Polls in Maine closed at 8 p.m.

 

8:30 p.m.

As of 8 p.m. 1.5% of the state was accounted for in the presidential election. President Donald Trump had 68.2% of the votes and former Vice President Joe Biden had 68.2%. Jo Jorgensen had 1.4% of the votes while Roque De La Fuente had 0.6% of the vote. Howie Hawkins had 0.8% of the vote.

 

9:00 p.m.

 

Presidential race

2.2% of districts reported

Trump: 54%

Biden: 42.4%

Jorgenson: 1.9%

De La Fuente: 0.1%

Hawkins: 0.9%

 

Senate race

Susan Collins: 59.9%

Sarah Gideon: 33.8%

Lisa Savage: 4.6%

Max Linn: 1.7%

 

1st Congressional District

Chellie Pingree: 55.7%

Jay Allen: 44.3%

 

2nd Congressional District

Jared Golden: 42.1%

Dale Crafts: 57.9%

 

9:30 p.m.

Presidential race

9.5% of votes reported

Trump: 51.8%

Biden: 45.5%

Jorgenson: 1.9%

De la Fuente: 0.2%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

9.5% of votes reported

Collins: 58%

Gideon: 35.5%

Savage: 4.8%

Linn: 1.7%

 

1st Congressional District

8.4% of votes reported

Pingree: 58.1%

Allen: 41.9%

 

2nd Congressional District

9.9% of votes counted

Golden: 49.1%

Crafts: 50.9%

 

5th District: Representative to the Maine State Senate

4.3% of votes reported

James Dill: 33.7%

Christian Ireland: 66.3%

 

10 p.m.

 

Presidential race

18.6% of votes reported

Trump: 51.7%

Biden: 45.3%

Jorgenson: 1.8%

De La Fuente: 0.1%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

18.6% of votes reported

Collins: 57.7%

Gideon: 35.7%

Savage: 4.7%

Linn: 1.9%

 

1st Congressional District

13.5% of votes reported

Pingree: 57.2%

Allen: 43.8%

 

2nd Congressional District

20.8% of votes reported

Golden: 49.7%

Crafts: 50.3%

 

5th District

21.7% of votes reported

Dill: 44.9%

Ireland 55.1%

 

10:30 p.m.

Presidential race

33.9% of votes reported

Trump: 42.9%

Biden: 48%

Jorgenson: 1,7%

De La Fuente: 0.1%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

35.9% of votes reported

Collins: 56.2%

Gideon: 37.5%

Savage: 4.5%

Linn: 1.8%

 

1st Congressional District

29.8% of vote reported

Pingree: 56.2%

Allen: 43.8%

 

2nd Congressional District

38.6% of vote reported

Golden: 51.7%

Crafts: 48.3%

 

5th District

34.8% of vote reported

Dill: 41.8%

Ireland: 58.2%

 

11 p.m.

Presidential race

49.8% of vote reported

Trump: 47%

Biden: 50.2%

Jorgenson: 1.7%

De La Fuente: 0.1%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

49.8% of vote reported

Collins: 54.4%

Gideon: 39.5%

Savage: 4.4%

Linn: 1.7%

 

1st Congressional District

45.5% of vote counted

Pingree: 57.5%

Allen: 42.5%

 

2nd Congressional District

45.5% of votes reported

Golden: 53.4%

Crafts: 46.6%

 

5th District

52.2% votes reported

Dill: 58.8%

Ireland: 41.2%

 

123rd District: Representative to the Maine State Legislature, Town of Orono

100% of votes counted

Laurie Osher: 72.1%

Cameron Bowie: 27.9%

 

11:30 p.m.

Presidential race

60% of vote reported

Trump: 45.5%

Biden: 51.6%

Jorgenson: 1.7%

De La Fuente: 0.1%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

60% of vote reported

Collins: 52.3%

Gideon: 41.4%

Savage: 4.6%

Linn: 1.7%

 

1st Congressional District

55.6% of vote counted

Pingree: 60.9%

Allen: 39.1%

 

2nd Congressional District

55.6% of votes reported

Golden: 53.5%

Crafts: 46.5%

 

52.2% votes reported

Dill: 58.8%

Ireland: 41.2%

 

Midnight

73.2% of vote reported

Trump: 45.9%

Biden: 51.2%

Jorgenson: 1.7%

De La Fuente: 0.2%

Hawkins: 1%

 

Senate race

73.2% of vote reported

Collins: 51.4%

Gideon: 42.3%

Savage: 4.6%

Linn: 1.7%

 

1st Congressional District

73% of vote counted

Pingree: 59.8%

Allen: 40.2%

 

2nd Congressional District

73.3% of votes reported

Golden: 52.9%

Crafts: 47.1%

 

5th district

52.2% votes reported

Dill: 58.8%

Ireland: 41.2%

 

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

A series of events has occurred beyond your control. Things do not seem to be in your favor right now. Bad vibes are everywhere, a feeling of general helplessness conspires. Remember, life is always moving forward. So what is bad now will come to an end. Keep moving forward during these hard times.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

The big picture is difficult to see at this time, something undesirable is blocking the view. However, a negative perspective on yourself can greatly affect how events transpire. Be kind to yourself and see how the picture changes.

Gemini (May 21 – June 22)

You have expended an insane amount of hard work and finally you are seeing the fruits of your labor. Relish in the results of your diligence, but remember that the work is not over yet — keep your focus.

Cancer (June 23 – July 21)

Things are constantly changing and new events are constantly coming into play. Juggling them all means neglecting other parts of your life. Take a good look at the events going on right now and determine if all of them are absolutely necessary for your attention. Make changes to bring balance back.

Leo (July 22 – Aug. 23)

In the search for something meaningful, be careful not to lose sight of where the potential for happiness lies. Too much inward focus can lead one astray. Focusing too hard on the goal can lead you to miss out on the wonders of the world. Seek a balance between inward-looking and outward reflection.

Virgo (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23)

You are on the brink of a creative breakthrough. Be possessed by the spirit of enthusiasm and discovery in all aspects of your life. The ideas you have now will bring many benefits in the future. Embrace a new way of expressing yourself.

Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23)

There is a formation of balance, honor and respect in a relationship. Emotions develop and the energy between you two will become passionate. Amazing things happen when opposite forces begin to interact and meld.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22)

Look forward to the light as you begin the painful journey of leaving a bad situation in the past. Doing this may feel like leaving everything behind, but important lessons are sure to follow. Be patient during this time, journeys like this don’t happen overnight.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21)

Despite the hard work, setbacks seem to be waiting around every corner preventing you from reaching your goals. Constant setbacks make it easy to lose momentum, and it comes at a cost. See what mistakes of the past have led you to the mistakes you made now. Look for solutions to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20)

Something good is fast approaching after a stretch of dismal times. Before the good times arrive, look inward for a special message that will help you in the future. Although you may not understand the message, it will serve to benefit you.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19)

In a struggle, quick actions are necessary. Channel your energy and spirit into the tasks at hand. Combine with determination and willpower to bring around certain execution and success.

Pisces (Feb. 20 – March 20)

Now is a time filled with need and desperation. Difficulties could stem from school, work, or a relationship. However, help is available if one seeks it out, you must be willing to acknowledge the problem and see the help.