FARMINGTON, Maine – Mara Balboni (Oakland, Maine/Messalonskee) scored the game-winning goal with two minutes remaining to lead the University of Maine at Farmington (6-3, 2-1) field hockey team to a 2-1 North Atlantic Conference win over Thomas College (6-7, 2-1) on Saturday.

The first half was a defensive showdown with only two total shots. Six minutes into the final period, Taylor Bergeron pushed the Terriers into the lead with her third goal of the season. Bergeron landed back-to-back shots on goal with UMF keeper Patty Smith (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) saving the first shot, but the second one rolled into the back of the cage.

UMF bounced back near the midway point of the second half when Emma Martineau (Greene, Maine/Leavitt) evened the score. Emmah Spahr (Winthrop, Maine/Winthrop) passed through the Terriers' defense and Martineau tapped in the shot for her second goal of the season.

Balboni's decisive goal was set up when Spahr charged at the cage and backhanded two shots on goal. After a pair of saves by Thomas goalie Abbie Charrier, the final save deflected to Delainey Kein (Unity, Maine/Mt. View), who passed to Balboni for the game-winning score.

Smith recorded a pair of saves as the UMF defense held Thomas to four total shots.

These two teams switch places on Wednesday as UMaine-Farmington travels to Thomas for a 7:00 p.m. start.