ORONO – The University of Maine women’s soccer team is hoping to turn a frustrating 1995 into a fruitful 1996.

The Bears went 3-12 last fall but seven of those losses were either by one goal or in overtime.

“We were a lot better than that. It just didn’t show on paper,” said sophomore striker Sopie Lecot, one of four captains this season.

“Our won-loss record didn’t reflect the way we played,” agreed second-year head coach Dave Patterson, who blamed a lot of the losses on inexperience.

The Bears return their top seven scorers and an infusion of 10 freshmen will create some intriguing battles for playing time.

“The freshmen will improve our athleticism, size and strength. They will also help us tactically. They’re pretty savvy. They’re from winning programs and bring a winning attitude with them. It’s reflected in our practices. The practices have been very intense and very competitive,” Patterson said.

“We’ve got a great freshman group. They’ve all shown that they can play here,” said senior attacking midfielder-striker Renee Bussell, one of the captains and the team’s leading scorer a year ago with eight goals and four assists.

Senior fullback Jen Raeli said having everybody fighting for a position is good for the team.

“We’ve got a lot of depth and experience this year,” said Raeli, also a captain.

Bussell and Lecot, who was the team’s second-leading scorer last fall with three goals and two assists, will be two of the Bears’ primary offensive threats.

Freshman Carolyn Fotiu, daughter of former NHL tough guy Nick Fotiu, has looked good up front, according to Patterson.

“We’re really strong up front. We should score a lot of goals,” said Reali.

Bussell and senior captain Kerstin Adami, who scored three times last season, will be the central midfielders with sophomore Erin Emmans, juniors Jill Cassie and Mary Wells and freshmen Katie DeStefano and Stephanie Theriault manning the flank midfield slots.

Emmans, Cassie and Wells each scored two goals last season.

Senior midfielder Lori Pottie, who played in only nine games last year due to back trouble, is recovering from mono and a hamstring injury. She could be an important contributor in the midfield.

Freshman Amy Quist could see duty in the midfield or up front.

“We’ll have a strong midfield,” said Bussell, who expects the Bear midfield to do a much better job in transition.

Senior Stacey Seidewand will be the stopper and freshman Suzanne Grant will be the sweeper. Reali and sophomore Kristen Maxwell will be the outside backs. Freshman Elizabeth Elias has also shown promise in the back, according to Patterson.

Senior Sheila Fenderson, who compiled a 2.15 goals-against average and .782 save percentage last year, returns in goal and she will be pushed by freshman Heidi Dombrock.

Fenderson and Dombrock will benefit from the addition of first-year goalie coach Jackie Gebhart.

“Jackie has been working with them every day. They will improve significantly,” Patterson said.

Maine, which went 0-6 in the North Atlantic Conference (now America East), will open its regular season against Central Connecticut State in Orono on Sept. 8.

Women’s soccer

UMaine schedule

Aug. 31 Champlain at Falmouth (exh.), 7 p.m. Sept. 8 Central Connecticut State, 1 p.m. Sept. 14 Rhode Island*, 4 p.m. Sept. 15 Providence*, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18 New Hampshire, 3:30 Sept. 20 at Rutgers#, 8 p.m. Sept. 21 vs. Villanova# at Rutgers, 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Vermont, 4 p.m. Sept. 29 Boston University, 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at Hartford, 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at Yale, 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Fordham, noon Oct. 15 at Northeastern, 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Hofstra, 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at SUNY-Stony Brook, noon Oct. 24 Towson State, 3 p.m. Oct. 26 Delaware, noon Oct. 30 at Holy Cross, 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at Dartmouth, 2 p.m.

*Diadora Invitational Tournament

#Umbro Classic Tournament