Matt Duffy, a defenseman from Windham, has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Maine men’s hockey program next fall.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Duffy currently is playing for the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. He has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 14 games this season, and had 17 goals and nine assists a year ago as the Monarchs won the EJHL championship.

“Matt has emerged as an elite defenseman in the EJHL,” said University of Maine hockey coach Tim Whitehead. “He has excellent offensive instincts and he is very mobile and physical defensively. We are very pleased that he will join us in the fall of 2005.”

Four other athletes also have signed to attend UMaine next fall: volleyball player Lindsay Allman, swimmer Kari Boffa of Falmouth and softball players Courtney Gingrich and Ashley Waters.

Allman is a 5-8 outside hitter from Fanton, Mo. At Rockwood Summit High, she was a three-time team MVP along with earning all-conference and all-district honors. She also played club volleyball for Team St. Louis, which won two national qualifier tournaments.

“Lindsay is a very athletic player,” said UM volleyball coach Lynn Theehs. “She currently plays for one of the top club teams in the nation, so we are looking forward to her bring athleticism and the experience of playing at a very high level to our program.”

Boffa swims for Falmouth High School and the Westbrook Seals club team. She holds the state record in the long-course 100-meter freestyle and won the 2004 high school state championship in the 200 individual medley.

“We are enthusiastic about the contribution Kari can bring to our team,” said Maine swim coach Jeff Wren. “Just as important is that we are very impressed with the way she fits in to the personality of the team.”

Gingrich is a 5-10 pitcher and third baseman from Warwick, R.I., who plays for Warwick High and the Blazing Angels summer softball club. Waters is a 5-6 middle infielder from Amesbury, Mass., who plays for Amesbury High and the Middle Essex Crush summer softball club.

“Courtney is a strong, athletic ball player with the versatility to play the corners as well as pitch,” said Maine softball coach Michelle Puls. “She is a force in the batter’s box with the ability to hit for power.

“Ashley is a hard-working, tough and intense player. Her commitment and enthusiasm make her unique. She is extremely quick and has the ability to hit and play the short game. Her versatility to play many positions will help out our program immediately.”

Colby poised for XC nationals

The Colby College women’s cross country team has moved into the NCAA Division III top 10 for the first time this season. The Mules now get a chance to prove it.

Colby heads to Saturday’s NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships at Whitetail Golf Course in Colfax, Wisc., an event hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

New England Small College Athletic Conference coach of the year Deb Aitken and team members Karina Johnson, Anna King, Jess Minty, Elizabeth Petit, Elizabeth Turner, Karen Prisby and Hillary Easter will make the trip to Wisconsin.

Colby jumped from 16th to ninth in the national rankings after finishing ahead of No. 5 Amherst College while placing third at the NCAA Div. III New England Qualifier held last Saturday at Cumberland Center.

Tucker new SMCC softball coach

Mark Tucker has been hired as the new softball coach at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

He previously served as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish. During his time at Saint Joseph’s from 1996 to 2001, the Monks’ softball program won four conference championships and one NAIA New England title.

Tucker takes over a team that was 4-7 in 2003. The SMCC softball team traditionally plays in the fall, but this year also will play in the spring as a member of the Yankee Small College Athletic Association.