On April 25, the University of Maine baseball team hosted the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders at Mahaney Diamond. The Black Bears fought through a low-scoring, defensive battle to take a 1–0 victory in the first game of their America East Conference series, which ended after seven innings under the mercy rule. 

The game opened with strong pitching from both sides, setting the tone for a tight contest. Maine’s starter, third-year pitcher Caleb Leys, was sharp from the first pitch, working efficiently through the NJIT lineup and keeping runners off the bases. The Black Bears’ defense was also locked in early, backing up Leys with clean, error-free fielding to maintain a scoreless game through the first inning. 

Maine finally broke through offensively in the second inning. First-year infielder Evan Menzel reached base and was brought home by a key hit from fourth-year infielder Myles Sargent, giving Maine the lead. Despite a quiet night at the plate overall, the Black Bears capitalized on their opportunity and made it count. Runs were hard to come by for both teams, but Maine’s smart baserunning and clutch hitting proved to be the difference.

No other runs were scored in the rest of the game. Leys continued to dominate on the mound, keeping the highlanders in check throughout the rest of the game. NJIT had few chances to tie the game. Every time, Maine found a way to shut the door, whether it was through strong pitching, clean fielding, or intelligent decision-making.

Maine continued to power through despite not scoring anything past the second inning. The Highlanders had multiple base runners throughout the game, but the Black Bears were ready for every play on the field. The game ended with no errors on Maine and two on New Jersey. 

The game was called after seven innings under the mercy rule.  Maine won 1-0 in game one of the weekend series. Sargent has gone seven straight games with an RBI, as he hit to center field for a single, which was the play that brought Menzel in the second inning. 

Leys also went the distance, as he threw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits, two walks and striking out five. 

As the regular season winds down, the Black Bears must stay sharp and continue executing in all areas of the game—pitching, defense and offense. Friday’s win was a reminder of how Maine can rely on every aspect of the game to pull out a victory, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into their next series and beyond as they push for the postseason, currently sitting in first in the America East standings.

The Black Bears will look ahead to closing out the regular season with the upcoming game against the Boston College Eagles for a mid-week matchup in Massachusetts on April 30. Then, the Black Bears will head to Rhode Island for a weekend series on May 2 against the Bryant University Bulldogs. The team will return home to close their conference play with more crucial games.

On April 25, the University of Maine baseball team hosted the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders at Mahaney Diamond. The Black Bears fought through a low-scoring, defensive battle to take a 1–0 victory in the first game of their America East Conference series, which ended after seven innings under the mercy rule. 

The game opened with strong pitching from both sides, setting the tone for a tight contest. Maine’s starter, third-year pitcher Caleb Leys, was sharp from the first pitch, working efficiently through the NJIT lineup and keeping runners off the bases. The Black Bears’ defense was also locked in early, backing up Leys with clean, error-free fielding to maintain a scoreless game through the first inning. 

Maine finally broke through offensively in the second inning. First-year infielder Evan Menzel reached base and was brought home by a key hit from fourth-year infielder Myles Sargent, giving Maine the lead. Despite a quiet night at the plate overall, the Black Bears capitalized on their opportunity and made it count. Runs were hard to come by for both teams, but Maine’s smart baserunning and clutch hitting proved to be the difference.

No other runs were scored in the rest of the game. Leys continued to dominate on the mound, keeping the highlanders in check throughout the rest of the game. NJIT had few chances to tie the game. Every time, Maine found a way to shut the door, whether it was through strong pitching, clean fielding, or intelligent decision-making.

Maine continued to power through despite not scoring anything past the second inning. The Highlanders had multiple base runners throughout the game, but the Black Bears were ready for every play on the field. The game ended with no errors on Maine and two on New Jersey. 

The game was called after seven innings under the mercy rule.  Maine won 1-0 in game one of the weekend series. Sargent has gone seven straight games with an RBI, as he hit to center field for a single, which was the play that brought Menzel in the second inning. 

Leys also went the distance, as he threw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits, two walks and striking out five. 

As the regular season winds down, the Black Bears must stay sharp and continue executing in all areas of the game—pitching, defense and offense. Friday’s win was a reminder of how Maine can rely on every aspect of the game to pull out a victory, and they’ll look to carry that momentum into their next series and beyond as they push for the postseason, currently sitting in first in the America East standings.

The Black Bears will look ahead to closing out the regular season with the upcoming game against the Boston College Eagles for a mid-week matchup in Massachusetts on April 30. Then, the Black Bears will head to Rhode Island for a weekend series on May 2 against the Bryant University Bulldogs. The team will return home to close their conference play with more crucial games.

The University of Maine baseball team kicked off conference play at home against the University of Massachusetts, Lowell on April 4 and 5. Maine split the series. 

The River Hawks got onto the scoring column first in the first inning of the series. Fourth-year infielder Conor Kelly scored the run off of an error. In the bottom of the inning, the Black Bears quickly took the lead. Third-year outfielder Brody Rasmussen scored a run along with a run by third-year catcher Dean O’Neil, giving Maine an early 2-1 lead.

In the second inning, the River Hawks had a ground out, while third-year pitcher Colin Fitzgerald struck the other two players out. The Black Bears were also unsuccessful this inning, leaving a player on the field. The third inning was much like the second inning, with neither team scoring any runs. 

While the River Hawks either struck out or grounded out in the fourth inning, first-year catcher Aidan Bardi scored for the Black Bears off a bunt from fourth-year outfielder Zach Martin, increasing their lead to 3-1. 

The fifth inning was very similar to the third, with Fitzgerald and River Hawk second-year pitcher Alfred Mucciarone controlling the whole inning. 

The River Hawks found themselves back in the game in the sixth inning. Kelly and fourth-year outfielder Alex Luccini both scored runs to tie the game. The Black Bears found themselves unsuccessful in their attempt to get on the board in the bottom of the inning. 

UMass Lowell had a strong hitting performance in the seventh. Kelly, Luccini and second-year outfielder River Hart scored to give them their first lead since the first inning. Second-year pitcher Owen Wheeler took over on the mound for Fitzgerald, and Martin scored. The Black Bears found themselves trailing 6-4. 

The eighth inning was productive for the Riverhawks, as second-year Rowan Masse and Hart both scored for the team. Third-year Black Bear pitcher Pierce Friedman took over for Wheeler. First-year infielder Even Menzel scored a much needed run for the Black Bears, but the team still faced an 8-5 deficit.

In the ninth inning, both teams were scoreless. The game ended 8-5, with the River Hawks taking game one of the series. Fitzgerald pitched 6 and 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

The second game of the weekend series was played on April 5. Third-year pitcher Caleb Leys took the mound for the Black Bears for the second game. In the first inning, Leys struck out two players. Neither teams were able to score any runs through the first four innings

Going into the fifth inning, Leys recorded two more strikeouts. The Black Bears found their stride. Fourth-year infielder Myles Sargent got on base with a double, then was brought home off a hit from third-year infielder Chris Bear. Fifth-year infielder Damon Gaither scored a run after Sargent. Maine led 2-0. 

The sixth inning went just like the fifth. All three hitters for the River Hawks either fouled or grounded out in a double play. The Black Bears stayed hot. Fifth-year utility Payton Whitehead and third-year infielder Drew Reynolds both scored runs with Sargent quickly following suit. Reynolds scored another run in the seventh inning. 

First-year player Tommy Martin took over for Leys to start the eighth inning. All three batters for the River Hawks could not get on the board, despite only getting one strike. Rasmussen, O’Neil and Martin all scored runs to end the eighth inning. 

The eighth inning was the final inning of the game. The mercy rule came into play as the Black Bears were leading 10-0.  Leys went back-to-back strong starts for the Black Bears as he fired off seven-shutout innings of work on the mound. He only allowed seven hits and two walks, and struck out nine batters.The Black Bears will remain in Orono for the next game on Wednesday, April 9 against Merrimack College.

After coming off a tough loss against Husson University, the University of Maine baseball team faced the New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders in a weekend series.  

On March 28, the first game of the series, Maine opened the first inning with a three-run home run by third-year infielder Drew Reynolds to bring third-year infielder Chris Bear and third-year outfielder Brody Rasmussen home. The Black Bears led with three runs right off the start, with the Highlanders not scoring any runs in the first inning. 

In the second inning, the Highlanders entered the scoring column. Fifth-year outfielder Andrew Eppinger nailed a home run, ending the inning with 3-1. 

Fourth-year infielder Myles Sargent hit a grand slam at the top of the third inning. First-year catcher Aidan Bardi, fifth-year utility player Payton Whitehead and Reynolds all scored, extending Maine’s lead to 7-1. The Highlanders did not make it on base during their at bat. 

In the fourth inning, the Black Bears had no runs. Eppinger got another homer for the Highlanders, making the score 7-2. The fifth inning was similar to the fourth inning. The Black Bears did not score any runs, while the Highlanders got one, scored by fourth-year infielder Jaden Caballero.

In the sixth inning, the Black Bears were back on the mission, and Sargent scored another run. The inning was flipped from the previous innings, as the Highlanders had no runs scored. 

The seventh inning went just as the eighth did. Sargent hit a double, resulting in a run by Reynolds, as well as first-year utility player Jack Quigley. The Black Bears were building a strong lead. 

Sargent led the ninth inning with a single. Bardi and Quigley both scored off the play. Maine won the first game of the series 12-4. Sargent contributed to 7 out of the 12 runs, and pitcher third-year Colin Fitzgerald had a night to himself for the first time in his career. 

On March 29, the Black Bears looked to continue the winning streak for the series. In the first inning, Maine was scoreless. The Highlanders earned the first run of the game, made by third-year infielder Ty Sallie. 

The second inning went by with no change, and the Highlanders still led with one run. In the third inning, fifth-year first-basemen Mattie Thomas scored a run both on wild pitches. The fourth inning went by with neither team scoring. The Highlanders still maintained the lead 2-0. 

In the fifth inning, Bear hit a double and rallied in an RBI, with Sargent getting home, marking Maine’s first run of the game. Bear then scored, tying the game off a hit from third-year catcher Dean O’Neil. A base hit from Whitehead scored two more runs. The Black Bears were finally leading the game. Whitehead scored off a hit from first-year infielder Evan Menzel. Maine now led 5-2. 

In the sixth and seventh innings, the Black Bears found their game. No runs were scored by either team. In the eighth inning, the Black Bears did not score any runs. Third-year catcher Cole Campbell scored a run for the Highlanders, but Maine still remained in the ;ead. 

The Highlanders failed to score at all in the ninth inning. The Black Bears won 7-3. Third-year pitcher Caleb Leys had his best start of the season, striking out 12 batters to lead the Black Bears to the second straight win. 

The Black Bears will close out the series on March 30, taking on Merrimack College in Massachusetts.

On Feb. 28, The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team played the University of Vermont Catamounts. The Black Bears looked to pick the momentum back up after a loss against the University of Connecticut. 

The Black Bears’ offense took charge in the first period, and the Catamounts tried to match the momentum. Seven minutes into the game, the Black Bears took a penalty for too many men. The Catamounts were unable to score on the power play. 

Twelve minutes into the game, the Black Bears went onto a power play, but the power play was unsuccessful. The Catamounts went onto another power play. Second-year defenseman Charlie Russell served a penalty for boarding. Vermont was unable to score on the power play.  

Towards the end of the period, first-year forward Max Strand tripped a Black Bear, putting Maine on the power play.  Fourth-year forward Taylor Makar secured his 14th goal of the season, assisted by second-year defenseman Frank Djurasevic and fourth-year forward Nolan Renwick. The period ended 1-0, Maine. 

The second period started the same way as the first. The Black Bears came out the way they always have this season. Three minutes into the period, third-year forward Nicholas Niemo tripped a Catamount, sending the Catamounts on a power play. Seconds later, another Black Bear penalty occurred, with Maine down two players. 

The Maine penalty kill was able to kill off both penalties and was still leading 1-0. Nine minutes into the period, first-year forward Jax Wismer took a penalty for high-sticking. Seconds later, third-year forward Thomas Sinclair also took a penalty for delay of game.  

Makar capitalized on the opportunity, assisted by Djurasevic and second-year forward Josh Nadeau. The Black Bears were pushing the shots on the net, and second-year goaltender Axel Mangbo met every shot that was made for the rest of the period. The period ended 2-0.  

At the start of the 3rd period, the Catamounts came out stronger than the Black Bears. First-year goaltender Albin Bojia was on top of his game. Three minutes into the period, first-year forward Michael La Starza headed into the box for goalie interference. Maine was unable to capitalize on this penalty. 

Eight minutes into the period, Russell went into the penalty box for goalie interference. The Catamounts were able to score on the power play. The goal was scored by fourth-year forward Isak Walther, assisted by fourth-year forward Simon Jellus and second-year defenseman Sebastian Törnqvist. 

Makar scored his third goal in the game, assisted by third-year defenseman Brandon Chabrier and Russell. Makar not only got his 16th goal of the season, but he also got his first career hat trick. Twelve minutes into the period, third-year defenseman Grayson Arnott scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Niemo and first-year forward Oskar Komarov. 

The Catamounts went onto another powerplay. Fourth-year defenseman David Breazeale served the penalty. Despite the newfound energy for the Catamounts, second-year goaltender Albin Boija and the Black Bears saved every shot that the Catamounts tried to make. 

Boija made 26 saves and Maine led 38-27 in shots in the contest. The Black Bears beat the Catamounts 4-1. 

The University of Maine Women’s hockey team took on Holy Cross to end the regular season on Feb. 21 and 22.  

Eleven minutes into the game, second-year Holy Cross forward Reghan Chadwick scored, assisted by third-year forward Alexia Moreau and third-year defense Taylor Cantelon. The Black Bears controlled much of the first period despite finishing it down 1-0.

Twenty seconds into the second period, UMaine first-year Stephanie Jacob scored, assisted by second-year forward Mikayla Boarder and fifth-year defender Elise Morphy. The Black Bears were controlling the game again. Black Bear first-year goaltender Kiia Lahtinen saved every breakaway the Crusaders had in the period. Five minutes into the period, the Black Bears went on the power play. Crusaders goaltender third-year Abby Hornung saved every opportunity that Maine had. 

The Crusaders had a power play, but Lahtinen saved every scoring opportunity. The penalty kill was successful for the Black Bears. The Black Bears scored again 13 minutes into the period with a goal by third-year forward Ava Stevenson, assisted by fourth-year forward Mira Seregély. Five minutes later, third-year forward Danielle Brunette scored, assisted by fourth-year defender Adriana Van De Leest. 

A minute into the period, the Black Bears went onto another power play. Hornung saved every attempt the Black Bears made. Lahtinen saved a breakaway with help from Boarder. With 16 minutes left in the game, Jacob scored her second of the game, assisted by fourth-year defender Jamie Grinder and Boarder. The Black Bears won the first game, 4-1.

On Saturday, the Black Bears looked for the sweep against the Crusaders on their senior night. Second-year Black Bears goaltender Julia Bachetti led the charge. Four minutes into the game, Boarder scored, assisted by fourth-year defender Courtney Colarullo.

The Black Bears led 1-0 going into the second. UMaine was out shooting and skating the Crusaders. Bachetti saved many crucial opportunities. 

A minute into the 3rd period, Van De Leest scored her 6th goal of the season, assisted by Seregely and Brunette. Three minutes into the period, the Crusaders went onto the power play. The Black Bears were leading 2-1. 

The Crusaders had multiple breakaways, yet Bachetti saved all the chances that they had. Hornung was also staying on top of her game. With seven seconds remaining, the Crusaders tied the game. King was the goal scorer, assisted by fourth-year defender Carmen Elliot and Chadwick.

The game went into a five-minute overtime. With multiple opportunities by both teams, the overtime ended in a tie, sending the game into a shootout. No Black Bears could score on Hornung in the shootout. King and Moreau scored on Bachetti to get the shootout win.

The Black Bears ended the regular season with a split with Holy Cross. The Black Bears will move on to the quarterfinals against the Boston College Eagles next weekend. 

The University of Maine men’s hockey team took on conference rival the University of New Hampshire in the Buffalo Wild Wings Border Battle on Feb. 14 and 15. Maine swept the weekend.

Four minutes into the period, second-year defensemen Bodie Nobes went into the penalty box for tripping. The Maine penalty kill kept the game scoreless during the penalty. The Wildcats played stronger throughout the period, but Maine could not find their rhythm despite many opportunities to score.  

In the second period, the Black Bears continued their strong start. Halfway through the period, the Black Bears began to lose momentum. With saves by second-year goalkeeper Albin Boija, the game stayed scoreless. Boija and the defense kept the Black Bears in the game. The period ended scoreless. 

Three minutes into the third period, third-year Owen Fowler took a hooking penalty. The Wildcats took advantage of the power play and scored the game’s first goal. Fourth-year forward Conor Lovett scored the goal with assistance from fourth-year forward Connor Sweeny and third-year forward Kristaps Skrastins. 

A penalty on New Hampshire put the Black Bears on the power play. The powerplay came up short despite multiple shots on the net. Third-year goaltender Jared Whale made multiple saves for the Wildcats. 

With two minutes left in the game, the Black Bears pulled Boija for the extra attacker. Fourth-year forward Harrison Scott scored, tying the game, assisted by fourth-year David Breazeale and fourth-year Taylor Makar. The Black Bears were finally finding their groove. 

The Wildcats and the Black Bears could not break the tie in overtime, and the game went into a shootout. The Wildcats could not score against Boija. Both second-year forward Sully Scholle and Scott scored against Whale for the extra point. 

On Saturday, the Black Bears looked for the sweep against the Wildcats. In the first period, Maine was dominant to start. Maine went on the powerplay with about eight minutes remaining in the period, but the Wildcats were able to kill off the powerplay. 

With three minutes remaining in the period, Boija made a huge save, keeping the game scoreless. A second penalty on New Hampshire, a hooking call, sent the Black Bears onto another powerplay, which Maine came up short on. The period ended scoreless. 

Eleven minutes into the second period, third-year defensemen Brandon Holt notched his fourth goal of the season for Maine. A minute after the goal, New Hampshire went onto the power play, the Wildcat’s first power play of the season. Second-year forward Ryan Conmy capitalized, scoring his 14th goal of the season. 

New Hampshire went back onto the power play with seven minutes left in the period. Nobes with a vast block to kill off the final seconds of the penalty kill. Skrastins scored the minute after the power play, and the Wildcats led 2-1. Conmy got a late breakaway, causing a massive save by Boija right before the period ended.

The Black Bears came out stronger than the first two periods, building momentum to try to tie the game. 

With 16 minutes remaining, the Black Bears went onto a power play. The call was a minor, and the referees immediately went to review the play. The call stood as a minor for elbowing. Maine had the opportunity to score, but Whale came up with a few saves. 

The power play was unsuccessful, and the minute it ended, second-year forward Charlie Russell scored, tying the game. The goal was assisted by Nadeau and second-year forward Frank Djurasevic. 

With eight minutes left in the game, Russell was sent to the penalty box for hooking. The Black Bears went back onto the penalty kill. The Black Bears blocked all shot attempts. 

With five minutes remaining Scholle scored, assisted by Nadeau and Nobes. Maine now led 3-2, thanks to Scholle’s second goal of the season. Seconds later, third-year forward Thomas Freel scored, assisted by Scott and Nadeau, extending their lead to two. 

New Hampshire went onto a power play after the Black Bears scored. After another Maine penalty, the game became a five on three with three minutes remaining. With many saves by Boija, the first penalty was killed off. Nadeau came out of the box and quickly scored the dagger, putting the Black Bears up 5-2. 

After the Black Bears killed off the second penalty, Maine won the game 5-2, sweeping the series against their heated rivals. The Black Bears will travel down to Connecticut to take on UConn on the road next weekend.

On Jan. 30, the University of Maine men’s Basketball team played their rival, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. UMaine won 71-46 at home in the Pit. 

UMaine started out strong. Fourth-year guard Quinion Burns started the game with two layups. Third-year guard Jaden Clayton made a layup, contributing to the growing lead. 

Burns threw a 3-pointer. The Wildcats finally got a pair of points from the free throw line, scored by third-year guard Sami Pissis. The Wildcats gained another point from another free throw taken by Pissis. Seconds later, Pissis made a 3-pointer, still trailing UMaine 9-5. 

Second-year guard Logan Carey joined the scoring, securing a good dunk. Then, there was a 3-pointer by fourth-year forward Christopher Mantis. Third-year guard Anthony McComb III from the Wildcats made a layup, getting the Wildcats their first points not from free throws. Carey answered with a good jumper. 

Pissis made a jumper, and Mantis immediately followed with a jumper of his own. UMaine was leading by nine points. Burns made a 3-pointer and a layup. Clayton also followed with a layup. The Black Bears were building a strong lead against the Wildcats. 

Pissis made another three, with UMaine now leading 25-12.  There was a free throw by fifth-year guard Keelan Tynes, and another 3 by Burns. A dunk by first-year guard Khalil Badru finally got the Wildcats some more points.  

First-year guard AJ Lopez, Burns and Clayton all made tough jumpers, and a final jumper by Tynes ended the first half with the Black Bears leading the Wildcats 37-14. 

The second half started where the first left off. Pissis opened the scoring with a layup. Tynes and the Black Bears followed suit. A foul on the Wildcats gave Tynes another free throw. 

There was a good jumper by Tynes and a layup by third-year forward Killian Gribben. The Wildcats followed with a layup from Pissis and third-year guard Jawarie Hamelin. Wildcat first-year center Caleb Middleton shot a good jumper. Lopez answered with a 3-pointer. Another foul on the Wildcats gave three free throws to Burns. 

With a dunk by Tynes and a jumper by Clayton, UMaine led by 29 points. A free throw by third-year forward Ridvan Tutic helped extend the Black Bear lead. McComb III made a jumper, answering the Black Bears.  

Tynes had another dunk and Burns had two 3-pointers. Pissis made a jumper through contact and a free throw. The Black Bears started to lose momentum. Badru shot a free throw and missed it. The Wildcats were still down by 32 points. Badru got a dunk following the free throw. 

Lopez answered with a layup, and Hamlin instantly replied with a 3-pointer. The clock started to wind down and there were free throws by Tynes and Tutic. Pissis scored a 3-pointer, followed by another free throw opportunity for the Black Bears, then two free throws by Tutic. McCcomb III took two free throws. 

In the final two minutes, first-year guard Caleb Crawford sank a free throw. The Wildcats fought until the end with a layup and free throw by Badru, along with another jumper by McComb III, but it wasn’t enough. The game ended with a Black Bear win 71-46. 

Burns led the game with 26 points, with Tynes adding 14 for the Black Bears. For the visiting Wildcats, Pissis finished with 20 points and McComb III with 11. 

On Nov. 15, the University of Maine men’s basketball team fell to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats 58-55 at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Connecticut. Maine looked to continue its two game win streak, but fell short despite a competitive effort.

Maine and Quinnipiac’s all-time record is 4-7, with the Black Bears winning four out of the 11 meetings with the Bobcats. The last time the two teams competed was in 2021, which resulted in a Bobcat victory.

From the opening tip off, Quinnipiac made four layups. The players that scored were third-year guard Ryan Mabrey and fourth-year forward Alexis Reyes. After a few turnovers and a foul by the Bobcats, fourth-year forward Quion Burns scored Maine their first point. Seconds later, third-year guard Jaden Clayton shot a 3-pointer assisted by third-year forward Keelan Steele. 

Quinnipiac immediately took the lead after Maine tied the game at four points. Reyes scored a jump shot off an assist from Mabrey. Third-year forward Amarri Monroe stole the ball back and helped the Bobcats get a four-point lead. The Black Bears shortened the lead with a layup by Burns, assisted by fourth-year guard AJ Lopez, who tied the game.

After more back-and-forth action, the first half ended with the Black Bears trailing behind the Bobcats 32-28.

The second half started with Maine’s defense stopping the Bobcats and Clayton shooting another 3-pointer assisted by Steele. However, shortly after a layup by Monroe, fifth-year guard Paul Otieno scored a layup to add on to Quinnipiac’s response.

Maine missed many opportunities to catch the Bobcats, and first-year guard Jaden Zimmerman continued to help the Bobcats build their 38-31 lead. 

After a few Black Bear turnovers, Monroe shot another 3-pointer, and Zimmerman added to the lead with a layup to go up by 12. Graduate student guard Kellen Tynes scored a layup and ended the Maine drought with 11 minutes left in the game before Monroe immediately responded. 

The Black Bears started to heat up as Tynes stole the ball, and third-year forward Killian Gribben made a layup. Gribben, Lopez and Burns all scored jumpers over the next few minutes.

But with the score 47-41, a shot from first-year forward Grant Randall, two layups by Zimmerman, and a three also by Zimmerman gave the Bobcats a 9-0 run and made the score 56 to 41. 

With three minutes remaining in the game, the Black Bears found some momentum. A tip-in by Steele and a dunk by Lopez brought the game within 11 points. Otieno got a foul and Lopez took the shots, bringing the Black Bears closer. Clayton joined the newfound momentum of the Black Bears with a 3-pointer, slashing the lead to six.

The Bobcats committed a turnover with a minute remaining as Clayton stole the ball back, which led to a layup by Lopez. With 40 seconds left, Lopez forced another steal and drained a 3-pointer to make it 56-55 Quinnipiac. Bobcat fifth-year guard Savon Lewis would knock down a jumper with 22 seconds remaining and after a timeout, Maine failed to hit a three to tie the game. 

Despite closing the final four minutes on a 14-2 run, Maine fell short and lost 58-55. Lopez led the Black Bears in points with 18 followed by Clayton with 12. Monroe had 21 for the Bobcats which led all scorers. 

Maine will travel to Richmond, Virginia, to take on the University of Richmond on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

On Oct. 25 and 26, the University of Maine men’s ice hockey team took on the Northeastern University Huskies at Matthews Arena. Maine had not won a game at Matthews Arena since 2012, a curse they finally broke. The Black Bears were coming off a weekend sweep with Quinnipiac and looked to continue the win streak against a stellar Hockey East opponent.

Nine minutes into the period, Huskies first-year forward Joe Connor received a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Black Bears went to work, but no goals were scored. The period ended scoreless, and the shots were equal at nine per team.

In the second period, Northeastern came out with some energy, forcing another save by Maine’s first year goalie Albin Boija. About one minute into the second period, the Black Bears went onto the penalty kill after third-year defenseman Brandon Holt committed a slash. Northeastern could not get any goals on the power play, as Boija saved everything coming his way. A few minutes later, fourth-year forward Harrison Scott had a breakaway, and Husky second-year goalie Cameron Whitehead was ready with the save.

Six minutes into the period, a frenzy of penalties were called. Second-year defenseman Frank Djurasevic headed to the box for tripping. Quickly into Northeastern’s power play, Husky fourth-year forward Ryan McGuire got called for a slash. Seconds later, second-year defenseman Jack Dalton visited the box for tripping. Twenty seconds after the penalty kills, the Black Bears went onto another man advantage as second-year defenseman Nolan Hayes was sent to the penalty box for tripping.

Third-year forward Thomas Freel scored the game’s first goal on the power play, assisted by  Holt and second-year forward Charlie Russell. Two minutes later, Taylor Makar scored, assisted by Russell and Dalton. Dalton gained his first career point as a Black Bear. The period ended 2-0 Maine.

In the third period, the Huskies tried to spark a comeback, but Boija stopped the shots that the Huskies threw at him. With two minutes left in the game, Connor took another penalty, this time for hooking. Thirty seconds into the man advantage, third-year Owen Fowler went into the penalty box for slashing. 

Eleven seconds into the four-on-four, Scott scored an empty net goal, assisted by Freel. With a minute left in the game, third-year forward Cam Lund scored a breakaway goal assisted by third-year forward Jack Williams and third-year defenseman Vinny Borgesi.

In the last minute of the game, fourth-year forward Nolan Renwick stole the puck in the defensive zone, skated it up the ice, and added a second empty net goal to seal the 4-1 victory.

Northeastern started game two very well, opening the scoring two minutes into the first period. The goal was scored by third-year forward Nick Rhéaume and assisted by Borgesi and first-year forward Griffin Erdman.

Two minutes into the second period, the Huskies doubled their lead with another goal by Lund, his fourth goal in four games, assisted by second-year forward Dylan Hryckowian and Williams. 

Six minutes into the second period, second-year forward Anthony Calafiore drew a penalty for goalie interference. A minute into the penalty kill, Northeastern’s Borgesi was called for interference, but Fowler was also sent to the box for embellishment. Neither team scored any goals during all the penalties. 

Two minutes later, first-year forward Ben Poitras served a five-minute major for face masking, a critical mistake in letting Maine back into the game. Three minutes into the man advantage, Holt scored his second goal of the season. Scott and Russell assisted the goal. Despite Maine outshooting Northeastern 26-17, the Huskies led 2-1 after 40 minutes.

In the third period, the Black Bears’ offense came out ready in an attempt to tie the game. Six minutes into the period, the Black Bears went on a power play, as the Huskies had too many men on the ice. The Black Bears tried to tie the game up, but were unsuccessful.

 Nine minutes into the period, second-year forward Sully Scholle scored his first goal of the season to tie the game, assisted by first-year forward Oskar Komarov. Komarov gained his first collegiate point as a Black Bear. After back and forth action to end the third period, the game went into overtime. 

In overtime, Northeastern outshot Maine 5-1 and forced Boija to make a few saves to keep the game going. Makar committed the only penalty in overtime, tripping up a Husky while successfully defending a two-on-one with three seconds left. 

Each team earned one point from the tie, but the game headed to a shootout to determine who would earn the third point. Russell scored on Maine’s first attempt, Boija made two saves and Scholle secured the shootout win for the Black Bears by scoring.

Maine ended the weekend with a 1-0-1 record, taking five of six Hockey East points from Northeastern. They will return to Alfond Arena Nov. 1 and 2 to take on Merrimack College.