Bears’ Canuel named conference Rookie of Year

For the first time, the University of Maine placed three players on the America East All-Rookie women’s soccer team including midfielder Marie-Andree Canuel, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Year Thursday night.

The 5-foot-5 Canuel, who was also selected to the All-AE first team, was joined on the all-rookie team by striker Laura Harper and midfielder Marie-Michele Bouchard.

Senior defender Allison Kelly was a first-team pick for the second straight year, while forward Heather Hathorn and goalkeeper Tanya Adorno, both juniors, were picked to the second team. Junior back Angela Clark was an honorable mention selection.

Entering today’s AE semifinal against UNH, Canuel leads the 12-5-1 Bears in goals with 10 and she also has two assists.

“I’ve never had a player score 10 goals out of the midfield. It takes special qualities to do that,” said Atherley. “What makes her special is she’s so good in the air. Her timing is impeccable and she attacks the ball.”

Scarborough’s Hathorn had nine goals and nine assists, Harper produced six goals and an assist, Bouchard had a pair of assists and was a top-notch schemer, and Kelly, Clark, and Adorno keyed a defense that held opponents to only nine goals and 48 shots on goal.

Adorno had an 0.55 goals-against average, 15th-best in the nation, and posted nine shutouts.

Four Bear FH players honored

The University of Maine’s 12-6 field hockey team, which will face Northeastern in an America East semifinal today, put four players on the All-AE team announced Thursday night.

Sweeper Liz Mendell of Palmyra and forward Rachael Hilgar, both seniors, were chosen to the first team with junior back Meagan Connolly and junior goalkeeper Jamie Morin of Winslow earning second team honors.

Hilgar had eight goals and seven assists to lead the Bears in scoring for the second straight year.

Mendell sparked a defense that allowed only 1.19 goals per game, and she also chipped in with three goals and three assists.

Connolly was another key component on defense and contributed five goals and five assists.

First-year starter Morin was 12-6 with a 1.29 goals-against average, which is 11th-best in the nation, and an .811 save percentage, which is 15th-best.