Bears end skid with shutout> UM offense peppers Pioneers in 2-0 win

ORONO – The University of Maine field hockey team’s first goal of its first home game was also the Bears’ first of the season. But what pleased them more than the fact they ended a two-game skid was the way they scored Wednesday.

Shannon Clifford’s corner shot that came less than 10 minutes into UMaine’s game against Sacred Heart was, in the words of Pioneers goalie Ginny Capicchioni, perfect.

“In general, their passing is very clean. They had a perfect pass when they sent it out,” Capicchioni said of co-captain Steph Chakmakian’s push-out.

After Clifford got her stick on Chakmakian’s pass and fired in the game winner, the Bears barely needed their captain’s flukey goal that snuck through a number of players and past a blinded Capicchioni at the end of the first half. The Bears drew 12 corners to the Pioneers’ one and dominated in shots on goal, outshooting the Pioneers 17-2 for the 2-0 victory.

Yet it was the fact the 1-2 Bears started their scoring this year with a well-executed corner that created excitement.

The Bears replaced the seasoned speed they lost with powerful potential this year. But UMaine coach Terry Kix’ four “impact freshmen,” will need all eight of their first non-conference games to adjust.

The Bears have practiced corners more than they did last year, and after falling 3-0 to Ohio University on Sunday, Kix drilled into the Bears the need for patience and poise in passing.

“As a team, we watched the game tape of Ohio for two hours straight,” Kix said. “One area we recognized that brought us down was passing. We recognized it wasn’t crisp enough.”

The Bears were impressive Wednesday at Morse Field, albeit over a Sacred Heart team from Fairfield, Conn., that went 9-6 last year and was playing its first game of the season this year.

“After that first corner, we picked up the intensity. They’re a good team,” Capicchioni said. “Their passing was sharp. They’re not dirty. That’s kind of rare. Some teams are really physical and talk a lot of trash. They didn’t say anything.”

UMaine junior goalie Danielle Burke of Canaan earned her first shutout win watching her offense do most of the work. After stopping two shots at the end, Burke said she was pleased to have maintained her intensity.

With four-year starting goalie and regional All-American Cindy Botett finally gone, Burke is finally seeing regular action. The former Skowhegan star smiled at the notion that the season could be “hers,” but gave credit for her first home win to her defense.

“It’s nice to get the win,” Burke said. “Our goal was to get a shutout. Our defense worked so hard, marking strong and forcing [Sacred Heart] wide.”