Byrne sets defensive tone for NAC champions

The University of Maine-Farmington women’s basketball team features a handful of talented players.

Perhaps none impacts the game for the Beavers as much as sophomore Amanda Byrne.

That might seem surprising, considering the guard from Winslow is averaging only 4.7 points and 3.0 assists this season. However, coach Jamie Beaudoin says Byrne is the key player for the North Atlantic Conference champions.

“She plays defense 94 feet, does not care if she scores points,” Beaudoin said. “She loves to play defense, she smiles the entire time, and really sets the tone for us.”

The 21st-ranked Beavers (25-3) play Brandeis on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament at Emmanuel College in Boston.

Intense pressure defense is the trademark of the Beavers, who are making their second straight trip to the NCAAs. UMF has set school records this winter for victories and consecutive wins (18), a streak that remains intact, while winning 20 games for the fifth straight season.

Beaudoin’s philosophy is simple: play defense, rebound, and reap the rewards at the offensive end of the court.

“These kids are willing to work,” said Beaudoin, the NAC Coach of the Year. “The one thing that my kids take a lot of pride in is defense and rebounding.”

UMF ranks 16th nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 51.3 points per game, and is fifth in field-goal percentage defense (.315).

Seniors Kari Simpson of Wells and Karen Sirois of Augusta have been the Beavers’ offensive leaders. The four-time All-NAC first-team picks have started every game for four seasons.

Simpson, a 6-foot forward, leads the way with 15.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per contest and is shooting 82 percent from the foul line.

“In the first game of the season, Kari became UMF’s all-time leading scorer,” Beaudoin said. “She’ll probably be our all-time leading rebounder before all is said and done.”

Sirois, a 5-6 point guard, directs the UMF offense. She averages 12.0 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game.

“Karen runs the show for us. She has the highest basketball IQ that I’ve ever coached,” said Beaudoin, who pointed out Sirois has scored more than 1,000 points and handed out 500-plus career assists.

Beaudoin said that duo also prides itself in playing defense.

“I try to convince my players that if they play defense, I will give them some freedom at the offensive end of the floor,” Beaudoin said.

Freshman Caitlyn Laflin of Farmington has provided a boost in the frontcourt. The 5-10 forward, the NAC Rookie of the Year, is averaging 14.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting 52 percent from the field.

“She’s a player, a competitive kid,” Beaudoin said. “She’s been fortunate that we have some experienced players that she’s playing with.”

UMF’s nine-player rotation also includes freshman center Stephanie Bossie of Winslow (7.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), sophomore guard Erin Porter of Bangor (6.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), junior forward Erin Johnson of Bailey Island (4.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg), sophomore guard Samantha Wiley of Lincolnville (3.0 ppg, 2.3 apg), and senior guard Megan Boyd of Kittery (2.8 ppg, 1.6 apg).

Freshman Whitney Page of Sorrento and sophomore Shannon Brown of Windham have provided depth.

“We want people playing as hard as they possibly can,” Beaudoin said. “If we can keep people involved and keep people fresh, we can play with the top teams in the country.”

UMF’s three losses have come at the hands of No. 1 Bowdoin of Brunswick and No. 8 Southern Maine of Gorham, along with Bates of Lewiston.