Eagles’ goal is clear Wolterbeek shines in net

Last year, Husson College’s Tatyana Wolterbeek scored the game-winning goal with 2:57 left in regulation to give the Eagles a 1-0 win over the University of Maine at Farmington in the North Atlantic Conference women’s soccer final. That gave the Eagles a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Wolterbeek will have a different role Saturday as she will try to keep the ball out of the net as Husson’s goalkeeper in their NAC championship game rematch with UMF in Farmington at 2 p.m.

The remarkable part is Wolterbeek was born with a deformed left arm and hand.

But the versatile Wolterbeek, a junior, downplays her disability.

“It has never impacted me. I just play like I have two hands,” said Wolterbeek

Her teammates feel the same way.

“It’s completely irrelevant. She’s amazing,” said Husson senior striker Katie Nickerson.

“We just forget about it … honestly,” said senior right back Samantha Homer.

Husson coach Keith Bosley said Wolterbeek is “inspirational” and that he also has heard that from several opposing coaches.

He added that Wolterbeek doesn’t ask for any special treatment.

Wolterbeek has had an outstanding season. She has compiled a 1.02 goals-against average and an .838 save percentage.

She has seven shutouts including playoff triumphs over Maine Maritime Academy (4-0) and Bay Path (3-0).

“She has worked really hard to make sure her positioning is just about perfect,” said Bosley. “She is rarely out of position. She’s also exceptionally good on transition.”

He said because she has spent so much time as a field player, she knows how to distribute the ball to her teammates whether by punt, dropkick or throw.

Wolterbeek began goalkeeping as a sophomore at Wells High School.

“We didn’t have a goalkeeper so I picked it up,” said Wolterbeek.

She said she enjoys playing anywhere on the field but prefers goalkeeping “because it’s more of a challenge.”

Homer said, “I’d rather have her behind me than in front of me because we need her back there. She’s phenomenal. She’s a special one.”

Second-seeded Husson has also been bolstered by balanced scoring as four players have at least 17 points.

The Eagles’ top three scorers are freshmen.

Megan Clement leads the Eagles with 22 points on eight goals and six assists; Megan LaJoie has 20 points (7 goals, 6 assists) and Amy Sanz (7 & 4) has 18. Nickerson has 17 points on 5 goals and 7 assists.

Top seed UMF is led by 10-goal scorers Chelsea Norton and Jackie Mrazik along with goalie Kerry Kowalczyk (0.32, .879, 6 shutouts).

The women’s soccer team is one of three Husson teams vying for a NAC championship this weekend.

The women’s field hockey team will invade UM-Farmington while the men’s soccer team will visit Castleton State.

In field hockey, Husson has been led by the Dorso sisters, Erica (12 & 12) and Elisah (11 & 7), along with Erin Nason (7 & 2) and goalie Kelly Bocchino (2.26 GAA, .745 save percentage). UMF features Kristin Chambers (12 & 3, 6 game-winning goals), Amanda Fortin (7 & 2) and Alyssa St. Pierre (7 & 2) along with Kaeleigh Barker (1.22 GAA, .886 save percentage).

In men’s soccer, Josh Bartlett (7 & 1) and Nathan Carter (6 & 3) have been the offensive catalysts for Husson and Miguel Dominguez has a 2.15 GAA and a .726 save percentage).

Castleton State is led by Ryan Hahn (7 & 4) and Gerrit Marino (5 goals) as well as goalie Mike Anthony (1.17, .839).