ORONO – The University of Maine’s women’s soccer team allowed only eight goals in nine America East games last fall.

But the Black Bears scored just five times.

The result was a 3-5-1 league record. Maine was 6-12-2 overall and scored 16 goals in those 20 games including only one in its final five games.

So fourth-year head coach Dave Patterson, who graduated his leading scorer in Kelly Stubbs , has focused on creating scoring chances.

“The big thing we’ve done is rather than relying on one or two individuals to shoulder the burden of creating the scoring chances, we’ve really tried to incorporate more of the team concept,” explained Patterson. “We want the midfielders to support better and create chances.”

Senior midfielder Jill Cassie said, “We created chances last year but we didn’t finish. That’s the only thing we didn’t do. We have more experience this year and it won’t be acceptable any more if we don’t finish.

“We’ve reached the point where we have to finish,” added Cassie.

One way Patterson will try to establish a more attacking style of play is by utilizing a 3-5-2 formation. They also use a 4-4-2.

“By going to five midfielders, hopefully we’ll be able to get more numbers up [into the attack],” explained senior fullback and tri-captain Kristen Maxwell.

Senior tri-captain and sweeper Suzanne Grant said, “When more people are attacking, it’s tougher for the defense to make sure everybody is covered.”

With Grant, Maxwell and impressive freshman Nancy Dillingham in the back, the Bears should be just as stingy as last year. Grant was a second team All-America East pick last fall.

“We play very well defensively all over the field,” said Cassie. “Even our offensive players play well defensively.”

The other key to an imposing defense is the goaltender and the Bears have three good ones, according to Patterson.

Karyn McMullin compiled a 1.34 goals-against average, an .831 save percentage and seven shutouts as a freshman last fall and she will be pushed by junior Heidi Dombrock and freshman Mandy Cronin.

“All three look good. I’ve been very, very pleased. I wouldn’t hesitate to start any of them,” said Patterson who tabbed McMullin as his number one goalie.

Patterson said he has a lot of depth in the midfield and there is plenty of competition for playing time.

Cassie and sophomores Tamara Vaughan, Katie Larsen, Alex Henderson and Kelly O’Brien will be flank midfielders. The central midfielders will be sophomore converted fullback Christy Hasselfeldt, sophomore Molly Shea and junior Katie DeStefano.

Junior striker Carolyn Fotiu is the team’s top returning scorer as the daughter of former National Hockey Leaguer Nick Fotiu scored four goals to finish second to Stubbs last fall.

Freshman Amy Smith, junior Nikki Reed and sophomore Jessica Wratz will join Fotiu up front and Vaughan can also play up front. Reed is returning from a broken leg that limited her to 10 games last fall.

This is the ninth year of the program and Patterson and his players feel the school’s first ever America East playoff berth is a realistic goal.

“If we don’t make the playoffs, we didn’t do what we were supposed to do,” said Cassie.

Fotiu said, “We have a great defensive team. If we can carry that up the field and put some balls in the net, we should be all right.”

UMAINE WOMEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE Aug. 29 Champlain* at Falmouth, 3 p.m. Sept. 1 Charleston Southern, 3 p.m. Sept. 6 Marist at Cape Elizabeth, noon Sept. 13 Rhode Island, 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at Holy Cross, 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Dartmouth, 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at Quinnipiac, noon Sept. 28 at New Hampshire, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Delaware, 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Towson, noon Oct. 8 Northeastern, 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Boston University, 3 p.m. Oct. 16 Hofstra, 3 p.m. Oct. 18 Drexel, noon Oct. 25 at Miami, 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at Florida International, 1 p.m. Oct. 30 Hartford, 2 p.m. Nov. 1 Vermont, 1 p.m. Nov. 5-7 America East Tournament at Towson, Md. * exhibition game