Black Bears shut out Stags Saucier, Hilgar register goals

ORONO – Former Old Town High School two-time All-State field hockey star Shaunessy Saucier scored her first collegiate goal for the University of Maine Friday afternoon and it turned out to be a game-winner.

Redshirt sophomore Saucier, playing in her eighth career game, converted a breakaway 15:17 into the game and Rachael Hilgar capitalized off a penalty corner in the last minute of the first half as Maine beat Fairfield 2-0 at Morse Field.

Maine is 2-1 while Fairfield (Conn.) fell to 1-2.

“It felt good,” said Saucier, who poked the ball free from Fairfield back Lindsay Martin, pulled away from a defender and maneuvered around standout goalie Lauren Thomas.

“I thought she [Thomas] was going to go down but she stayed up and that’s probably why I got by her,” said Saucier.

“I thought I had her but she did a great job pulling it around my glove hand,” said Thomas.

The Bears dominated the entertaining game but Thomas made nine saves, including six in the first half, to keep her team close. In addition, the aggressive goalie kicked aside several goalmouth passes.

“Maine was very fast and had really good footwork. Their hits were very fast. They kept us on our toes all day,” added Thomas, whose .810 save percentage last year was the nation’s sixth best.

Hilgar, Maine’s second-leading goal scorer with eight a year ago, got her first of the season by redirecting a Karly Bundy scorcher into the net.

“It was a set play,” explained Bundy. “Emily Dooling passed it in [on the penalty corner] and Amie [Dubois] stopped it. Karyn Magno faked the shot, Amie passed it over to me and I shot it. Rachael was supposed to rush in and be at the right post, she was and it worked.”

“I just tipped it in,” said Hilgar.

Maine outshot Fairfield 17-3 and goalie Jaye Lance finished with two saves for her eighth career shutout.

“We played a great defensive game and we created a lot of scoring opportunities,” said Maine coach Terry Kix. “I’m very pleased. The energy and teamwork were excellent.”

Senior Rebecca Ouellet moved from center back to sweeper to replace the injured Liz Mendell and was exceptional, according to Kix.

“She was definitely the anchor of our defense,” said Kix.