The Husson College men’s basketball team isn’t used to losing seasons. In fact, the Eagles pretty much head into each season expecting to win a conference title and secure a berth in the national tournament.

When your program is averaging 21 victories a season over the last 38 years, those kind of lofty expectations are understandable.

Last season, the Eagles were beset by almost every distraction and setback imaginable early in the season, yet still managed to fashion a 15-11 record and advance to the North Atlantic Conference semifinals before their season ended.

This year, thankfully for head coach Warren Caruso, hasn’t brought with it nearly as many early season hurdles, but it hasn’t been easy, either.

The Eagles managed to snap a three-game losing streak Monday with a victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle and right themselves mentally as they head into a two-week holiday break. Not having a four-game losing streak hanging over their heads for two weeks will allow them to enjoy Christmas break more. If that isn’t enough, the knowledge they’ll be getting two key backcourt players back should be.

Starting guard Bill Beauregard will be back after missing the first six games with a stress fracture in his leg. Also, freshman guard Andy Frost of Brewer should return from a severe ankle sprain he suffered in a game against Bates last weekend.

“Bill could come back at any point in time right now. He’s just waiting for clearance for contact. He’s running and shooting right now,” Caruso said. “Andy will probably be out another 10-12 days, but it’s a good time for it to happen since we don’t play again until the 29th.”

Frost started four of the first five games, averaging 19.5 minutes, 4.2 points, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Beauregard, a member of the 2003-04 NAC all-rookie team, averaged 12.1 points per game last season.

The Eagles, 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the NAC, have won six conference titles in the last 10 seasons.

Mules honored for academics

The Colby College men’s soccer team has earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Team Academic Award for the fourth straight year.

The Mules were one of only two New England Small College Athletic Conference schools to earn the award for the 2003-04 academic year. Colby, coached by Mark Serdjenian, had a 3.19 team grade point average.

The Bates men’s soccer team also was recognized for its 3.16 team gpa.

Saint Joseph’s College’s Michael Bolanz has been named 2004 Division III All-Independent women’s soccer coach of the year.

Bolanz, in his first year at Saint Joseph’s, guided the Monks to a Division III independent championship.

Three Monks’ players earned All-Independent status. Sophomore forward Danielle McLaughlin of Skowhegan and first-year midfielder Morgan Meserve of Scarborough earned second-team honors, while senior goaltender Shana Howard of Warren earned honorable mention status.

Two players from the Saint Joseph’s men’s soccer team also earned honorable mention status: first-year forward Kyler Hengst of Oakham, Mass., and junior midfielder Joseph Valente of Franklin, Mass.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 17 Division III independent institutions that have joined forces to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports during the 2004-05 academic year.