UMaine looks to build on success

The University of Maine field hockey team had a better record than four of the eight teams that received at-large berths to the 16-team NCAA Tournament, but still didn’t get a spot.

Six conference champs, including America East winner Northeastern, received automatic bids and there were two play-in game victors.

“What hurt us is we didn’t have the strength-of-schedule component,” said coach Terry Kix, whose Bears finished 15-4 after losing to Northeastern 4-0 in the America East championship game on Sunday.

“Ball State was supposed to come and play us but canceled two weeks before the season for financial reasons. That definitely hurt us,” said Kix. “And we had to play Rhode Island twice and they had an off season [1-17].”

Ball State finished at 9-10.

She also said, “I think we would have had a shot if there weren’t so many upsets [in conference tournaments].”

Some upset victims got at-large bids.

Kix said she was “very proud” of her team’s first-ever trip to the America East championship game and hopes to build on it.

“We lose some tremendous senior leadership and some outstanding players. But the future looks bright. Hopefully, we’ll have a successful recruiting class and build on this year’s success,” said the 12th-year coach.

Maine will lose five starters and three of its top four scorers, including scoring leader Tara Bedard (11 goals, 14 assists).

“We definitely have some big shoes to fill. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find a natural scorer. We’ll have a lot of experience back on defense. That will be our strength,” said Kix.