Black Bears eyeing AE crown Atherley encouraged by UMaine’s offensive production so far

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Whenever you lose players who scored 59.5 percent of your goals, offensive production is usually a major concern the following season.

But University of Maine eighth-year women’s soccer coach Scott Atherley has been encouraged by his team’s attacking play in two exhibitions as well as a 2-1 season-opening win over Fairfield and a 1-1 overtime tie with perennial power the University of Connecticut.

Maine met Fairfield and UConn in the UConn Classic. UConn has earned 24 straight NCAA tourney berths

Maine scored 10 goals in exhibition-game triumphs over Franklin Pierce (N.H.), ranked third in NCAA Division II, and a Canadian club team.

“Quite frankly, we’ve been playing better in the attacking third and we’re arguably more dangerous than we have been in the past because the decision-making in the final third has been much better,” said Atherley. “Our ability to possess the ball, play quickly and make great passing decisions once we arrive in the attacking third has enabled us to create very good scoring chances.”

Senior midfielder Natalie Berry said the “forwards and midfielders have been hooking up better [than in the past] and have changed the point of attack which has been catching the defense off guard.

“We’ve also been shooting from a [longer] distance more,” added Berry.

Junior midfielder Brittany Saisselin said their passing is at a “high level right now” and they have “a deep bench.”

Sophomore goalie Jasmine Phillips said “I don’t think we’re going to have trouble putting the ball in the net. I’m confident we’re going to do really well.”

Atherley said his team’s midfield is its strength “in terms of experience and talent.”

America East Midfielder of the Year Marie-Andree Canuel, the Bears’ leading scorer last fall (9 goals, 3 assists) headlines the midfield along with fellow junior Marie-Michele Bouchard (0 & 3 last year), Berry (1 & 4), Saisselin (1 & 3) and Hampden sophomore Kim Stephenson.

Freshman Kaitlind Smith has been injured.

“Marie-Andree, Marie-Michele and I have played together the last two years so we’re pretty much used to each other,” said Berry.

Canuel said there should be more balanced scoring and the team chemistry is excellent.

Goaltending is another strength as Phillips was chosen the America East Goalie of the Year last fall thanks to her 0.29 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

Junior Laura Harper (4 & 3), sophomore Christine LaBelle and impressive freshmen Veronique Fleury and Laura Martel will be the strikers.

Atherley has been pleased with his defense, which has been comprised of junior center back Jordon Pekrul, senior right back McKayla Bell and freshman left back Anjelica Hodgson, who scored against UConn.

Freshmen Cristina DiIelsi and Hailey Blackburn are promising fullbacks according to Atherley.

Berry, LaBelle and Phillips were chosen to the All-UConn Classic team. LaBelle and Berry scored against Fairfield.

“They aren’t going to be an easy team to beat,” said Fairfield assistant coach Laura Duncan. “They’re athletic and physical. I think they’re going to have a very good year.”

Maine has gone 37-15-6 in its last three seasons and has reached the AE title game each year. The Bears are gunning for their first championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

2006 UMAINE SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER

1, at Temple, 4 p.m.

3, vs. Canisius at Windsor, Conn., noon

9, at Holy Cross, 2 p.m.

15, vs. Marist, 3 p.m.

17, vs. Rhode Island, 1 p.m.

20, at Brown, 7 p.m.

24, at Sacred Heart, 11 a.m.

28, at Boston University, 7 p.m.

OCTOBER

1, vs. New Hampshire, noon

5, at Stony Brook, noon

8, vs. Hartford, 1 p.m.

12, vs. Albany, 3 p.m.

15, at Binghamton, noon

19, vs. Vermont, 3 p.m.

22, at UMBC, 1 p.m.