Backups are keeping Black Bears in front

ORONO – Winslow’s Erin Corey and Scarborough’s Maureen McHugh haven’t started any games for the University of Maine women’s soccer team this season.

But they have played significant roles in the team’s 13-3-1 record and berth in Friday’s 3 p.m. America East semifinal against 7-10-2 Hartford at Boston University’s Nickerson Field.

New Hampshire and BU play in the other semi at 6 p.m.

Corey and McHugh are strikers who are called upon to spell starters Annie Hamel, Kate Crawford and Heather Hathorn and harass opposing defenders.

“They are both great athletes and when they get in, they change the complexion of the game because they work hard and make things happen. They are just as important as any other player in our starting 11,” said Maine coach Scott Atherley.

“They’ll do the dirty work for us,” said Hamel. “They’re busy bees. They get the defenders tired. The put pressure on them and settle the game.”

McHugh and Corey thrive on their roles.

“Everyone has a different role on this team. Mine is to come off the bench and provide a little spark. I do it the best that I can. Coach will tell me to get in there and go all out and that’s what I try to do,” said Corey, who has two goals this fall.

“It’s real important to give the team a boost when we come off the bench,” said McHugh, who has three assists. “I play as hard as I can and try to keep the team up so there isn’t a drop-off when we come on. Coach puts us in to give the team some pace and get the momentum up.”

McHugh was a Scarborough High School teammate of Hathorn’s for two years and Hathorn enters today’s game as Maine’s third-leading scorer with eight goals and three assists despite being hampered earlier by a stress fracture.

“It was a little painful at the beginning but it has been feeling fine lately,” said Hathorn, who had eight goals and two assists a year ago.

“Heather was a marquee player coming out of high school. She had the potential to be a great goal scorer at this level and she has lived up to it,” said Atherley.

The three Maine strikers, all sophomores, have been pleased with the team’s success.

“It has been so much fun. We’ve got a lot of seniors and everyone is pushing hard,” said Hathorn.

“We’re all such good friends,” said Corey.

They also like the fact they are living proof in-state youngsters can play at a high level.

“Maine soccer has definitely come a long way,” said McHugh.

Hamel (6 goals, 9 assists) and midfielder Katie Hodge (9 & 1) continue to lead the Bears in scoring. Hartford has been led by Stephanie Pothier (5 & 2) and four-goal scorers Hilde Bakke, Jeanette Akerlund, Cindy Walsh and Diane Zaniewski.

Maine lost to Hartford 2-1 in overtime on Oct. 26 despite outshooting the Hawks 13-5.

“We have to play the same way,” said Atherley. “We have to keep their frontrunners in front of us, keep the ball wide and crash the goal like crazy.”