There have been several people who have played pivotal roles in the University of Maine women’s soccer program’s first ever America East playoff berth this season.

But no one has been more important than senior striker Annie Hamel and senior midfielder Katie Hodge, according to coach Scott Atherley.

“They have transformed our program [into winners],” said Atherley. “You need a great scorer, a great forward and Annie has brought that to us. Katie has been a playmaker, among other things, and because she was in the [Canadian] national team picture, once she signed to come to Maine she gave us instant credibility.

“That factor allowed us to recruit other [top-notch] players,” added Atherley.

The Bears earned the third seed in the six-team tournament and will host No. 6 Maryland-Baltimore County today at 1 p.m.

Hamel is the leading point-getter for the 12-3-1 Bears with 21 on six goals and a school-record nine assists. Hodge is tops on the team in goals with nine.

Both are having their best seasons but they are quick to credit their teammates for their success.

“The forwards have done a great job crossing the ball to me. I just try to get my foot on it,” said Hodge, who had seven goals in 45 career games entering this season and acknowledged that her nine-goal season has come as a “big surprise.”

Hamel said the fact a bunch of players spent last summer working out in Orono has been instrumental in the banner season.

“We played soccer every night; we trained hard every day and we did it together. People came prepared and that has made the whole difference this season,” said Hamel, the school’s leading all-time scorer with 58 points on 18 goals and 22 assists..

Atherley has nothing but praise for the duo.

“Katie is among the best players in the conference, flat-out,” said Atherley. “Annie is the best forward I’ve ever coached, man or woman, because she’s very smart tactically, she knows how to play off the ball, and she’s lethal in one-on-one situations.”

Hodge and Hamel said it has been a rewarding season so far but they don’t want it to end soon.

“It has been a great year. We’ve worked hard and we’re finally seeing the results,” said Hodge, who has 43 career points on 16 goals and 11 assists.

“There’s still so much to be done,” said Hamel.

“No game is easy in our conference. We’ve got to bring everything to the table Tuesday,” said Hodge whose Bears beat UMBC 2-0 on Sept. 21.

UMBC, coached by Michelle Salmon, is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games after an 0-5 start. The Retrievers’ leading scorer is freshman Amanda DiCarlo (4 goals). Missy Moore and Lori Quintavalle have three goals each.