University of Maine freshman midfielder Katie Hodge didn’t get to play in Saturday’s memorable 3-1 win for the Canadian national women’s soccer team over the United States in Columbus, Ohio.

But that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for her country’s second-ever win over the United States and the enjoyment she received from training with the team for three days.

“I was just happy to be there. It was great. It was really fantastic. I had a great time,” said Hodge, who was selected to the America East All-Rookie team recently. “We hadn’t beaten the United States since 1986. Just being at the game gave me a lot of motivation and to win was an amazing feeling.”

Hodge was one of 18 players dressed for the game in the Canadian maple leaf colors.

Hodge said she held her own during the practice sessions and scrimmages authored by coach Evan Pellerude.

“I did all right for my first experience. I was nervous at first. The level was really high and intense. It took a while to get used to it,” said Hodge.

She said it was awesome to be suiting up against the likes of such American stars as Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain.

“I’ve always seen them on TV. It was a great experience to be on a team that was playing against them,” said Hodge.

The fact Hodge didn’t play in the game means she retained her eligibility to play for the Quebec Provincial team in the Canada Games this summer in London, Ontario.

Players who receive caps by appearing in a game for Team Canada aren’t allowed to participate.

The Rock Forest, Quebec, native said the biggest difference between college soccer and national team soccer is “the pace of the game. It’s so much faster.”

Maine women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley said he feels Hodge has a legitimate shot to play for her country some day.

“Evan Pellerude contacted me three or four times this fall to check on Katie’s progress,” said Atherley.

Hodge’s first experience with Norwegian and former Norwegian women’s national team coach Pellerude was definitely a positive one.

“He’s an excellent coach. He has had a really big impact since he became the coach,” said Hodge, who had two goals and five assists in 15 games for the Bears and led the team in shots with 43.

UMaine encouraged by weekend

Maine women’s ice hockey coach Rick Filighera said there were some definite positives that came out of the weekend’s back-to-back losses to national power New Hampshire 2-0 and 5-2.

“If we play with intensity, we can play with anybody in the league,” said Filighera. “I also have a better feel for the new players we have. We’re doing to do a little bit of shuffling before this weekend’s games [against Cornell and St. Lawrence on Friday and Saturday nights at Alfond Arena].

“Jamie Hill generated some good scoring chances and I think she needs to be moved up to one of our scoring lines,” said Filighera of his freshman center, who hit the post during Saturday’s game and had three shots on goal. “She isn’t in the best of shape because she’s had a pinched nerve in her neck. She’s a smart player.”

The other player he praised was freshman defenseman Rebecca Ouellet, who joined the team late because she also plays for Maine’s field hockey team.

“She’s quick and she’s smart. She gets to the puck and makes the right play with it,” said Filighera. “She doesn’t try to overhandle it. We’re definitely going to play all six defensemen and that will ensure that they will all be fresh in the third period.”

He said his team must do a better job on face-offs and is also looking for improvement on the forecheck and in defensive zone coverages.