Qualifying for the America East field hockey tournament is not easy. The league is formidable and there are usually a couple of teams that are nationally ranked every week.

The University of Maine Black Bears earned a berth in last year’s tourney for the first time since 1997 and suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 semifinal loss to top seed, eventual champion and NCAA Tournament team Northeastern.

Maine could be back in the playoff race this season.

The Bears return nine of their top 10 scorers along with their goalie, Jaye Lance. So expectations and optimism are high.

“This could be one of the strongest teams I’ve ever had here,” said coach Terry Kix, who is in her 12th year guiding the fortunes of the Bears. “We have tremendous senior leadership and a lot of depth.”

“After last year, we realized how good we could be. We’re trying to move to that next level this season,” said senior defender and co-captain Kim Leo of Skowhegan. “The speed we have on this team is like no other Maine team I’ve played on. And all the freshmen are really good.”

“Our main goal is to win the America East championship and there’s no doubt in our minds that it is possible,” said senior midfielder and co-captain Karly Bundy of Kennebunkport.

Goal scoring shouldn’t be a problem but Kix will have to replace two starting defenders including Northeast Regional All-American and America East first-team pick Morgan Brady. And junior defender Rebecca Ouellet will be sidelined for two to three weeks with tendinitis in her knee, according to Kix.

So Kix has moved second-leading scorer Karyn Magno (9 goals, 3 assists last season) back to defense from the midfield.

“She will give us stability back there until we at least get Rebecca back,” said Kix.

Leo likes the move, saying, “Karyn has a real good hit. She’ll be good at getting the ball out.”

Gorham’s Steph Drouin and Winslow’s Katie Flaherty are two of the promising freshmen battling for playing time in the back along with Jill Rosick and redshirt sophomore Jaclyn Comeau.

Senior Jen Johnstone, a two-time Northeast Regional All-American and a first team All-America East pick, led the team in scoring last year (11 & 5) and returns to anchor a potent midfield along with Bundy, who had three goals and an assist.

Freshman Meagan Connolly and sophomores Amie Dubois of Winslow and Emily Dooling of Winthrop are also in the midfield picture along with Traci Rainone, another sophomore.

Seniors Tara Bedard (6 & 1) of Skowhegan and Kristy Ferran (4 & 1) of Winslow will spark the high-powered attack along with junior Jana Ouellette of Jay (2 & 0). Sophomore Rachael Hilgar (1 & 0) is also in the picture and Kix said speedy freshman Kasey Spencer of Old Town has been a pleasant surprise.

“Our goal scoring numbers should go up,” said Bundy. “Everyone in our front six is capable of putting the ball in the net. I’d be nervous if I was the other team.”

Lance played in all 18 games last year and had a 1.69 goals-against average to go with her 10-8 record. Junior Colbey Smith is a capable backup.

Maine opens at Southwest Missouri State on Saturday.

UMAINE SCHEDULE

August

31, at Southwest Missouri State, noon

September

1, at Saint Louis, noon

3, at Indiana, 10:30 a.m.

8, at Holy Cross, 1 p.m.

14, Rhode Island, noon

15, Rhode Island, noon

18, Dartmouth, 3 p.m.

21, New Brunswick (exhibition), 1 p.m.

27, at Hofstra, 1 p.m.

29, vs. Quinnipiac at Hofstra, 3:30 p.m.

October

6, Providence, 1 p.m.

12, at Boston University, 1 p.m.

13, vs. Cornell at Harvard, 1 p.m.

15, at Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.

20, Northeastern, 1 p.m.

25, at Albany, 3 p.m.

27, at Vermont, 12:30 p.m.

November

2, New Hampshire, 1 p.m.

8,10, America East semifinals and final