FARMINGTON, Maine — The University of Maine at Farmington field hockey team is set to play Thomas College on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Central Maine Collegiate Field Hockey Conference (CMCFHC) semifinals after earning the No. 3 seed in this weekend's tournament. The Beavers finished the season with a 3-13 overall record but were winless in CMCFHC action, suffering a pair of losses to both Thomas and Husson University.
Overview
With only three institutions in the conference, the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds face off in the semifinal round, while the top seed earns a bye directly to the championship game. The winner of Friday evening's contest between the Beavers and the Terriers will advance to the CMCFHC Championship Game on Sunday at Husson University.
Season at a Glance
In many ways, the 2025 season was a step forward for the Beavers, who registered their most wins in a season since 2021. Farmington also improved statistically on both ends of the field, scoring 25 goals this season while allowing just 74. That represents a 21-goal increase in scoring and 31 fewer goals allowed compared to the 2024 campaign.
The Beavers opened the season strong, winning three of their first five games. After a season-opening loss to Smith College, Farmington rebounded the next day with a 3-0 shutout victory over Gordon College. Following a high-scoring setback on the road against Bridgewater State, in which the Beavers scored four goals, Farmington earned back-to-back shutout wins, 1-0 over Anna Maria and 7-0 over Elms College.
Since that dominant win over Elms on September 13, Farmington has gone 11 straight games without a victory, despite several competitive performances. The Beavers suffered narrow home defeats against Saint Joseph's College (3-0), Husson (2-0), and Thomas (3-1).
The Lineup
Working from the back forward, Farmington will likely start senior Ella Grant (Sturbridge, Mass.) in goal. Grant has appeared in 14 of the Beavers' 16 games this season, making three starts. She recorded 81 saves while posting a .591 save percentage and a 4.87 goals-against average.
Defensively, Farmington will likely feature a back line of seniors Autumn Freeman (Byron, Maine) and Elizabeth Kendall (Guilford, Maine), along with junior Lindsay Boisvert (Westbrook, Maine) and sophomore Elizabeth Grondin(Jay, Maine). Senior Bayley Casavant (Corinth, Maine) played a major role early in the season but recently left the team to serve in the United States military. The defensive unit has been solid throughout the year, combining for nine defensive saves — led by Kendall and Boisvert with three each.
Through the midfield, Zoey Pennell (Saco, Maine), Izzy Derosby (Waterville, Maine), Ruby Taylor (Poland, Maine), and Elyse Nadeau (Glenburn, Maine). Pennell, a transfer from Saint Anselm, has been a great addition to the team this season, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Derosby, Nadeau, and Taylor each had strong seasons for Farmington, contributing on both ends of the field. Derosby scored her first collegiate goal on October 25th against the Terriers.
Offensively, the trio of Makaya Wilcox (Farmington, Maine), Gabby Vincentsen (Bristol, Maine), and Ann Buffington(Enfield, N.H.) lead the charge. Wilcox paced the team with six goals and two assists while logging the most minutes played. Vincentsen added five goals and a team-high four assists, while Buffington tallied one goal and two assists during her rookie season.
Hailey Johnson (Augusta, Maine), Bree Griffin (Farmington, Maine), and Abby Hanson (South Paris, Maine) are expected to provide valuable minutes off the bench.
