Braves must solve scoring problems vs. Beavers to get win

The Husson College Braves possess three of the top eight scorers in the Maine Athletic Conference in midfielders Adam Heaslewood and Jason Hill and striker Guy Guy Mpeye and Husson has averaged 3.3 goals per game.

But the fourth-seeded Braves haven’t scored on the University of Maine-Farmington in their last two meetings and that will be the task at hand when Husson and the top-seeded Beavers meet in the MAC semifinals at Thomas College in Waterville at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Husson is 12-4 overall while UMF is 12-1.

In the opener, the University of New England, the second seed at 7-5-1, will take on No. 3 Thomas College, 9-8.

The winners will meet in Sunday’s 11 a.m. title game.

The women’s tournament will be held Saturday and Sunday with Saturday’s 11 a.m. game pitting No. 2 UM-Presque Isle, 8-3-1, against the third-seeded Monks from St. Joseph’s College, who are 8-7-1. Top seed UNE, 10-2, takes on No. 4 UMF, 5-9, at 1:30. Sunday’s final will be played at 1:30 p.m.

UMF was the only team to shut out Husson this season.

“UMF is well-organized. They get all of their men behind the ball and they work hard,” said Englishman Heaslewood, the MAC’s leading scorer with 15 goals and 23 assists. “We have to play to our strength, which is knocking the ball to feet and getting good movement.”

“We’re going to have to move the ball quickly by one-touching or two-touching it,” said Bangor’s Hill, who has 8 & 9.

“You can’t dribble through them,” said Husson Coach Mitch Ellisen. “You have to pass around them.”

Mpeye had 14 goals and five assists for the Braves, and freshman goalie Ben Masterson has eight shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average.

Pacing UMF’s attack will be Jamie Beaudoin, Robin Gronvold, and Laughn Berthiaume, who have combined for 28 goals.

UMF Coach Bob Leib said sweeper Dave Long has played so well “he should have the shutouts beside his name.”

Goalie Josh Verville has an 0.33 GAA and 10 shutouts. Dennis Harmon has been outstanding in the midfield, according to Leib.

UMF has scored 42 goals and allowed only four.

“This team has come to play every game. Not many teams do that,” said Leib.

Strikers Jahma Charles and Chris Parsons have guided Thomas, while 15-goal scorer Bryan Hill is UNE’s catalyst.

In the women’s matchups, St. Joseph’s Cindy Kamszik (13 & 4) will have to contend with UMPI’s Sarah Roy (8 & 6) and goalie Keli Daigle, who had a 1.33 GAA.

UNE has MAC scoring leader Danielle Derosier (14 & 9) and goalie leader Diane Duffy (0.45 GAA), while UMF features Kristy Parent (8 & 1).

Meanwhile, Unity College’s men will host New Hampshire Tech in the New England Small College Conference title game on Saturday at 1:30. Both have already qualified for the National Small College Athletic Association’s national tournament in Rochester Hills, Mich., on Nov. 2-4.