Box Score FARMINGTON, Maine -- University of Maine at Farmington field hockey (10-4) senior forward Rebecca Young (Plainfield, N.H./Kimball Union Academy) scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win against Thomas College (8-9) in the North Atlantic Conference semifinal on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Emily Leighton scored only two minutes into the contest. Erica Blake lined a cross to her left where Leighton lined the one-timer into the back of the cage.
Leighton's goal stood until UMF got on the scoreboard in the 58th minute. UMF took advantage of a penalty corner when LeeAnne Greenleaf (Gardiner, Maine/Gardiner) passed to Lindsey Whitney (Lisbon Falls, Maine/Lisbon) at the top of the circle. Whitney drove forward and passed off to Andrea Stemm (Gorham, Maine/Gorham), who dribbled in for the score.
Approaching the five-minute mark, Young's game-winning goal came after a scramble in front of the goal. Emmah Spahr (Winthrop, Maine/Winthrop) caused a Thomas turnover near midfield and dribbled forward for the breakaway goal. After Spahr's attempted shot was saved, Young fired a shot, which hit the post, and then on the rebound her shot was saved once more. Young would not be denied and attempted one more shot that crossed the goal line for the go-ahead score.
Patty Smith (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) recorded three saves for the Beavers. Thomas keeper Abbie Charrier saved six shots for the Terriers.
UMaine-Farmington advances to the NAC Championship game for the second straight season. UMF will play the winner of the second NAC semifinal game between Husson and Colby-Sawyer on Saturday, November 7, 2015.
