Box Score WATERVILLE, Maine – The UMaine-Farmington field hockey team (8-6) advance to the North Atlantic Conference Field Hockey Championship game after Tuesday's 2-1victory over Thomas College on Tuesday afternoon at Bernatchez Field.
The semifinal matchup was a repeat of last weekend's battle, which ended with a 2-0 shutout by Thomas, clinching the #2 seed from Me.-Farmington in the NAC Tournament. "We had a great week of practice since we last played Thomas and our hard work paid off," UMF coach Cyndi Pratt said after the game.
The Terriers took the lead late in the first half when Brittany Premo fought through numerous Beaver defenders for her ninth goal of the season.
Meghan Hughes answered four minutes later to even the score at 1-1. LeAnne Greenleaf started the scoring play on a penalty corner by passing to the top of the circle to Chelsea Morley. The senior captain passed her left to Hughes, who lasered a shot for the equalizer.
Emmah Spahr added the difference maker in the 32nd minute. Thomas keeper Abbie Charrier saved Spahr's original shot, but Spahr would not be denied on the rebound. The freshman chipped the rebound over Charrier to give the Beavers the lead for good.
"We played our most complete game of the season, Pratt added." The UMF defense came through in the clutch during the second half. Patty Smith made four crucial saves in a one-minute span to hold the lead in tact.
Patty Smith finished eight seven saves and her counterpart Charrier blocked three shots for the Terriers.
UMaine-Farmington will face top-seeded Husson in the NAC Championship game on Saturday, November 8th.
