Old Town’s Gretchen Lahey was cut after trying out for the University of Maine’s field hockey team her freshman year. College recruiters told Mary Lou Winstel they wanted to change her goaltending style.

But both women are getting their kicks playing under third-year head coach Terry Kix and are playing important roles in elevating the program to a point where the Bears can contend with national-caliber opponents.

And they don’t have to go very far to face nationally ranked teams because the North Atlantic Conference, where Maine resides, contains such national powers as Northeastern, New Hampshire and Boston University.

Winstel owns the school’s career shutout record with 14 and had the nation’s third best save percentage a year ago at .922. She has shutouts in her first two games already this season. Lahey is a right back who not only helps anchor the defense, but is also called upon to generate offense.

Lahey and Winstel said Kix has been the positive driving force behind their progress.

“The other coaches who recruited me wanted to change my style. They wanted me to stand up more,” said Winstel. “But Coach Kix told me to play my style and she would make adjustments if necessary.”

“Personality brings out greatness and I didn’t want to change what she felt comfortable with,” explained Kix.

Winstel also said Kix’s personal approach impressed her in the recruiting process.

“The other coaches weren’t personal with me like Coach Kix was. She was concerned about how I would adjust to being so far away from home (Berlin, N.J.),” said Winstel.

“I wouldn’t be playing field hockey if it wasn’t for her,” stated Lahey, a graduate student who added that it is a tremendous honor to be a co-captain of this team.

The players like Kix’s enthusiasm, knowledge and positive attitude.

“She works us hard in practice, but she also allows us to have fun,” said Lahey.

“She stresses team unity,” added Winstel.

Away from the field, they feel her genuine concern for their well-being has been another strong suit. They also said she has recruited quality players who can take Maine to the next level.

“She’s been able to get some of the top players in North America,” said Lahey. “We’ve made tremendous strides in three years.”

“We definitely feel we can make the NAC Tournament this year,” said Winstel.”We feel we can beat the top teams in the conference. We won’t just be out there trying to hang in against them.”

Maine has never finished in the top four in the NAC, thus earning a tourney berth.

Kix knows how important Winstel and Lahey have been and continue to be to her team.

“Both Mary Lou and Gretchen have been tremendous assets to our defensive unit,” said Kix, who is 17-16-3 in her two-plus years at Maine. “Gretchen has provided a lot of leadership as a senior co-captain and Mary Lou is the heart and soul of our defense. She’s our quarterback. She gives the team a lot of confidence because of her strong play.”

Kix considers Winstel “one of the top five goalies in the country right now” as a result of her quickness, agility, focus and heart. She called Lahey “very athletic” and said she has made great strides in three years.

La Salle Coach Kathy De Angelis was very impressed by the Maine team that beat her Explorers 1-0 in double-overtime on Monday.

“Terry has made a tremendous impact,” said DeAngelis. “Maine has good skills. They’ve done a great job.”