Merrimack College first-year hockey coach Chris Serino knows his Warriors are going to have to neutralize Maine forwards like Steve Kariya, Cory Larose, and Dan Kerluke in their Friday-Saturday series in North Andover, Mass., this weekend.

But he also knows his Warriors are going to have to play good team defense in the attacking and neutral zones as well because of the inclusion of Maine’s defensemen into the offense this season.

“Their defensemen are very good at jumping into the play. And because they’re such good offensive players, they do more damage. They do a very good job when they jump into the offense,” Serino said.

“So we’ve got to play very good team defense everywhere,” he added.

Maine’s defense corps scored 16 goals a year ago and this year’s blue-liners have already matched that total with 13 regular-season games left to play.

Black Bear coach Shawn Walsh said having his defensemen jumping into the play “diversifies our offense and is especially helpful when teams try to pack it in in front of their net.”

Maine right wing Steve Kariya said Maine has five offensive-minded defensemen in David Cullen, Peter Metcalf, Doug Janik, Ed Wood, and Anders Lundback and they have been making good plays, especially lately.

Maine’s defensemen have scored at least one goal in three of the last four games.

Senior right wing Bobby Stewart said when the defensemen jump into the play, even without the puck, it puts more pressure on the opposing team and opens up the ice more for initial rush opportunities.

Walsh said volunteer assistant coach Nate Leaman deserves credit for the work he has done with the defensemen over the last month.

“We’ve been working on getting the puck to the net as quickly as possible,” said Leaman. “A lot of times, that means not winding up and taking slap shots. It means taking wrist shots. We’ve also studied opposing goalies [and their weaknesses].”

Senior Cullen, who leads the defensemen with eight goals, said they had a lot of shots blocked earlier this season because they took too long getting their shots off.

The UMaine women’s basketball team will again be without the services of senior Andrea Clark tonight when the Black Bears entertain Delaware in an America East game at Alfond Arena.

Clark, a 6-foot-2 forward from Starks, has been sidelined since suffering a high ankle sprain during a Jan. 7 practice. Coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie said Clark was expected to see limited duty during Thursday’s practice, but has not been cleared to play against Delaware or Sunday against Towson.

In other rehabilitation news, junior Katie Clark continues to practice with the squad in her attempt to return from a chronic foot problem. The 6-foot guard/forward is practicing on a controlled basis, but may be cleared for game action in time for next Wednesday’s game at Vermont.

The University of Maine is promoting a program run in conjunction with National Take a Kid to a Game Day that will give local students the chance to attend games for free.

Women athletes on UMaine teams spoke to students at Etna-Dixmont Middle School on Wednesday and will visit Old Town Middle School today and Orono Middle School on Jan. 27.

At each speaking engagement middle school students will be provided with materials they can use to make posters that will be displayed at Alfond Arena on the weekend of Jan. 30-31.

Youngsters age 18 and younger will be admitted free to the Jan. 30 women’s basketball game against Drexel at 1 p.m. Admission to the Jan. 31 women’s hockey game is also free.

The posters must include the theme for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, “All Girls Allowed.”