The University of Maine’s field hockey team is anxiously waiting for the finishing touches to be applied to its new field located beyond the softball field’s outfield fence.

They will play on FieldTurf Tarkett PUR, a synthetic surface similar to AstroTurf that was used during the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

“We’re waiting for the watering system and they also have to fasten down the outside of the turf,” said second-year coach Josette Babineau. “The seams [inside] are already fastened.”

Babineau explained that they need a watering system or “the turf will move or ripple a bit” because it isn’t permanently glued to the undersurface like some other turf surfaces.

The field hockey team had been sharing Morse Field with the football team but Morse Field has a new grass-like FieldTurf surface this season which isn’t conducive to field hockey. Morse Field had AstroTurf for 10 years and that is a surface which is good for field hockey use.

Babineau and her players are excited about having their own facility.

“We’ll get to have our own practice hours and we won’t have to move the cages as often as possible. We can leave them there,” said senior forward Nicole Emery. “The turf looks great and I think it’s going to be quicker than the old stuff. We’re hoping the turf and the new dimple balls will speed the game up.”

Sophomore midfielder-forward Brittney Cummings said the surface will be smoother than the AstroTurf.

“We had to deal with a lot of bumps on the football field,” said Cummings.

Sophomore midfielder Courtney Veinotte said “it will be one of the nicest fields we’ll play on this year. [Opponents] will feel lucky to come here. This is a step above AstroTurf. We’re very fortunate to have it.”

The fans will be much closer to the field than they were at Morse Field as there will be temporary bleachers surrounding it.

“It will be a very intimate setting. We get big crowds home and away so it will be nice to have our own field for our fans,” said sophomore fullback Maire Dineen.

Babineau said having their own facility tells the players and future recruits “that field hockey is important to the school.” It will be beneficial in the recruiting battles, she said.

Maine opens against Sacred Heart and UConn in Storrs, Conn. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, respectively. The Bears’ home opener is Sept. 7 against Brown.