Team effort has Bears rolling Maine in quarterfinal tonight

When you ask University of Maine men’s soccer coach Travers Evans who have been the catalysts behind the Bears first postseason berth since 1994, he won’t give you a name.

He insists it has been a total team effort.

“The guys have played very well as a team,” said the fourth-year Maine coach whose sixth-seeded team, 7-7-4 overall and 3-3-3 in America East, will visit No. 3 Hartford (9-8-2, 5-3-1) tonight at 7.

“They have all bought into their roles and their parts on the team. We’ve been able to play a lot of players and there isn’t much of a drop-off when we bring other players on,” said Evans who has used 20 players this season and consistently plays 17-18.

“Everyone works hard and does their role,” agreed senior back and co-captain Eric Lemont of Brunswick. “We have plenty of depth and that helps if someone isn’t playing well. People come off the bench and give us a lift.”

Evans added that when a team has depth and balance, the opponents “can’t key on just one guy.”

There are 10 Maine natives on the roster and nine of them have played in at least 10 games. Lemont said they are showing that Mainers can play at the Division I level.

“People haven’t respected us. We’ve had to prove ourselves at all levels. But we’re earning respect and it’s nice to see that. We’re definitely catching up quick. What we may lack in skill we’re making up for with hard work,” said Lemont.

Maine, which is 2-0-3 in its last five games including four against America East tournament teams, has been led offensively by Justin Stockford (7 goals), Gabriel Germano (3 goals, 3 assists), Greg Bajek (2 & 4) and Luke Rivard (3 & 1).

Lemont and fellow co-captain Matt Young have anchored the defense in front of goalie Chad Mongeon (7-5-4, 1.41 goals-against average, .714 save percentage).

One of their prime objectives against the Hawks of Jim Evans, the former Thomas College of Waterville coach, is to shut down league scoring leader Alon Lubezky (17 & 6).

Lubezky set the school record for career goals with 52.

Maine and Hartford battled to a 3-3 overtime tie on Oct. 29.