Pullen has been UMF catalyst NAC champ Beavers face Williams in NCAA tourney today

Amanda Pullen of Dexter didn’t know what to expect from her senior season as a center back on the University of Maine-Farmington field hockey team.

After all, seven starters had graduated off last year’s team.

But the Beavers quickly jelled and the newly crowned North Atlantic Conference champs will take a 15-2 record into today’s 4 p.m. NCAA Tournament game at Williams College (Mass.).

“Everyone really stepped up. As the season progressed, everyone improved leaps and bounds and we came together at the right time,” said Pullen.

Pullen was one of the catalysts, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the NAC Tournament.

“I was so happy she was able to get recognized. She’s a very solid player, a very smart player,” said UMF coach Cyndi Pratt. “She played very well all season.”

Pratt moved Pullen from outside back to center back this season “because of her ability to control the field. She can be used on the attack and on defense more so than if she was on the outside.”

Pratt, a former center back at Dexter High, responded with seven goals, including a team-high three game-winners, and two assists.

“It took me a while to get back into the swing of being in the middle of the field,” said Pullen. “You distribute the ball a little more. But I just try to do my job and be where I’m supposed to be.”

She admitted she was “very, very surprised” to earn the tourney MVP award because there were “a lot of great field hockey players” in the tourney.

“I was much happier to get the trophy that said ‘NAC champs’ than the one that said ‘MVP,'” said Pullen, who added that she has been very happy with the team’s season.

The Beavers have posted 11 shutouts behind goalie Kaeleigh Barker, Pullen, sweeper Renee Trafton of Corinth, and outside backs Nicole Lyons of Cape Elizabeth and Erika Lucas of Augusta.

The midfield features Waterboro’s Katie Gorham, Jefferson’s Amanda Fortin, and York’s Beth Marshall.

The top-scoring forwards have been Andrea Tyler (4 goals, 15 assists) of Augusta, Elyse Cole (8 & 0) of Winthrop, and Kristin Chambers (6 & 1) of Gorham.